Skin science article
Theramid Copper Peptide Versus VT Cosmetics Reedle Shot Synergy Repair Cream 100
Theramid Copper Peptide Versus VT Cosmetics Reedle Shot Synergy Repair Cream 100 This anti-aging serum is formulated around Copper Tripeptide-1 and Bifida Ferment Lysate to soften the look of wrinkles and strengthen the skin barrier. This barrier-repair moistu
Theramid Copper Peptide Versus VT Cosmetics Reedle Shot Synergy Repair Cream 100
This anti-aging serum is formulated around Copper Tripeptide-1 and Bifida Ferment Lysate to soften the look of wrinkles and strengthen the skin barrier.
This barrier-repair moisturizer is formulated around Niacinamide and Ceramide NP to strengthen the skin barrier and soften the look of wrinkles.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Propanediol
Dimethicone
Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate
Betaine
Isododecane
PEG-10 Dimethicone
Copper Tripeptide-1
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Glycerin
PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone
Magnesium Sulfate
Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Sodium Hyaluronate
Acetyl Hexapeptide-1
Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2
Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2
Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Sh-Oligopeptide-2
Sh-Polypeptide-1
Sh-Polypeptide-9
Sh-Polypeptide-11
Bacillus/Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract
Acetyl Glutamine
Disteardimonium Hectorite
Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables
Propylene Carbonate
Lecithin
Caprylyl Glycol
Butylene Glycol
Dextran
Tocopherol
Acetic Acid
Lactic Acid
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
1,2-Hexanediol
Ethylhexylglycerin
Phenoxyethanol
Water, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Betaine, Isododecane, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Copper Tripeptide-1, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Glycerin, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Magnesium Sulfate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-1, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-9, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Bacillus/Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract, Acetyl Glutamine, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Propylene Carbonate, Lecithin, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Dextran, Tocopherol, Acetic Acid, Lactic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
Palmitic Acid
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
Myristic Acid
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate
Niacinamide
Cetyl Alcohol
Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
Cetearyl Alcohol
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Cetearyl Glucoside
Mangifera Indica Seed Butter
Adenosine
Sorbitan Isostearate
Sodium Guaiazulene Sulfonate
Panthenol
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Brassica Campestris Sterols
Cholesterol
Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Tbhq
Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Ceramide NP
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
Ceramide Ns
Silica
Centella Asiatica Extract
Ceramide EOP
Sh-Polypeptide-16
Sh-Polypeptide-22
Sh-Polypeptide-3
Sh-Polypeptide-62
Propolis Extract
Asiaticoside
Madecassoside
Madecassic Acid
Asiatic Acid
Water, Glycerin, Palmitic Acid, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Myristic Acid, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Cetearyl Glucoside, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter, Adenosine, Sorbitan Isostearate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Guaiazulene Sulfonate, Panthenol, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Cholesterol, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tbhq, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide NP, Sh-Oligopeptide-1, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Ceramide Ns, Silica, Butylene Glycol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ceramide EOP, Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Sh-Polypeptide-1, Sh-Polypeptide-11, Sh-Polypeptide-16, Sh-Polypeptide-22, Sh-Polypeptide-3, Sh-Polypeptide-62, Sh-Polypeptide-9, Sodium Hyaluronate, Propolis Extract, Asiaticoside, Madecassoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
Emollient, helping to soften skin
Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
sh-Oligopeptide-1 is a peptide found naturally in our bodies. Peptides are the building blocks for collagen and elastin in our skin.
In cosmetics, this ingredient is bioengineered to be identical to a human gene that codes for epidermal growth factor (EGF). EGF are signal molecules that simulate cell growth and healing.
Studies find EGF help with:
In South Korea and China, EGF is considered a controversial ingredient. The South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has cracked down on companies with products including EGF due to false advertisement claims.
According to Dr. Zoe Draelos, growth factors have some drawbacks:
There is also controversy surrounding growth factors. The controversy is due to their mitogenic activity, or their ability to increase the number of cells. It is best to avoid using growth factors if you have psoriasis or are at risk of skin cancer. However, it should be noted EGF are not mutagenic - meaning they will not cause cancer.
This peptide has similar properties to Sh-Oligopeptide-1.
There is also controversy surrounding EGF. The controversy is due to their mitogenic activity, or their ability to increase the number of cells. It is best to avoid using growth factors if you have psoriasis or are at risk of skin cancer. However, it should be noted EGF are not mutagenic - meaning they will not cause cancer.
Sh-Polypeptide-1 is a signal peptide that tells our cells to create more fibroblast cells. Fibroblasts maintain skin structure and plays a role in wound healing.
It is important to note this ingredient is mitogenic and not mutagenic. Meaning it will stimulate cell multiplication, and will not cause cancer.
Sh-Polypeptide-11 is a signal protein that tells our skin to create more fibroblast cells. Fibroblasts maintain skin structure and plays a role in wound healing.
Sh-Polypeptide-9 is a signal peptide that tells our body to create more blood vessels.
It is important to note, this ingredient is mitogenic and not mutagenic. Meaning it will stimulate cell multiplication, and will not cause cancer.
Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!