Skin science article
Vegamour GRO Hair Serum Versus Typebea G1 Overnight Boosting Peptide Serum
Vegamour GRO Hair Serum Versus Typebea G1 Overnight Boosting Peptide Serum What's inside Key Ingredients Benefits Concerns Ingredients Side-by-side Water Butylene Glycol Glycerin Alcohol Denat. Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate Caffeine Curcuma Longa Callus Conditioned
Vegamour GRO Hair Serum Versus Typebea G1 Overnight Boosting Peptide Serum
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Butylene Glycol
Glycerin
Alcohol Denat.
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Caffeine
Curcuma Longa Callus Conditioned Media
Citrus Bergamia Peel Oil Expressed
Sodium Phytate
Pentylene Glycol
Limonene
Citric Acid
Sodium Benzoate
Potassium Sorbate
Lactic Acid
Trifolium Pratense/Vigna Radiata) Sprout Extract
Linalool
Sodium Hydroxide
Biotin
Alcohol
Phytic Acid
Linalyl Acetate
Pinene
Nicotiana Benthamiana Octapeptide-30 Sh-Oligopeptide-2
Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-9
Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-86
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Caffeine, Curcuma Longa Callus Conditioned Media, Citrus Bergamia Peel Oil Expressed, Sodium Phytate, Pentylene Glycol, Limonene, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Lactic Acid, Trifolium Pratense/Vigna Radiata) Sprout Extract, Linalool, Sodium Hydroxide, Biotin, Alcohol, Phytic Acid, Linalyl Acetate, Pinene, Nicotiana Benthamiana Octapeptide-30 Sh-Oligopeptide-2, Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-9, Nicotiana Benthamiana Hexapeptide-40 Sh-Polypeptide-86
Propanediol
Polysorbate 20
Arginine
Carbomer
Disodium EDTA
Parfum
Polyquaternium-7
Glycine Soja Germ Extract
Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Gluconolactone
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
PPG-26-Buteth-26
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Juniperus Virginiana Oil
Calcium Gluconate
Pinus Palustris Oil
Apigenin
Oleanolic Acid
Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1
Phenoxyethanol
Benzyl Salicylate
Hydroxycitronellal
Water, Propanediol, Alcohol, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Hydroxide, Arginine, Lactic Acid, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Parfum, Butylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-7, Glycine Soja Germ Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Gluconolactone, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Calcium Gluconate, Pinus Palustris Oil, Apigenin, Oleanolic Acid, Biotinoyl Tripeptide-1, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Limonene, Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is also called ethanol or ethyl alcohol. It is denatured, meaning made undrinkable for cosmetic use.
In formulas, it:
Is it bad for your skin?
The answer comes down to concentration. Patch and wash studies have found highly concentrated alcohol-based hand rubs (60-100%) cause less barrier disruption than washing with a basic detergent like SLS. The only measurable effect in these studies was a temporary dip in skin hydration.
Concentrations below 12-15% in leave-on cosmetics is generally well-tolerated. Concentrations above start to see increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and reduced hydration.
In concentrations about 58%, it creates temporary channels in your skin's lipid layers to become more permeable and allow other ingredients to slip through easily.
This ingredient can be up to 80% of the formula in alcohol-based perfumes.
Overall, this ingredient is probably harmless if found lower down an ingredients list but worth side-eyeing if it's high up (especially if your barrier is already struggling).
Alcohol can worsen dry skin, eczema, and oily skin, especially at higher concentrations. This is because it can increase transepidermal water loss and decrease hydration to disrupt the skin barrier.
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
True allergic contact dermatitis to ethanol is uncommon, but be sure to patch test if you have dry or sensitive skin.
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.
Lactic Acid is another well-loved alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It is gentler than glycolic acid but still highly effective.
Its main role is to exfoliate the surface of the skin by loosening the “glue” that holds dead skin cells together. Shedding those old cells leads to smoother, softer, and more even-toned skin.
Because lactic acid molecules are larger than glycolic acid, they don’t penetrate as deeply. This means they’re less likely to sting or irritate, making it a great choice for beginners or those with sensitive skin.
Like glycolic acid, it can:
Lactic acid also acts as a humectant (like hyaluronic acid). It can draw water into the skin to improve hydration and also plays a role in the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF) in the form of sodium lactate.
Studies show it can boost ceramide production to strengthen the skin barrier and even help balance the skin’s microbiome.
To get results, choose products with a pH between 3-4.
Lower strengths (5-12%) focus on surface exfoliation; higher strengths (12% and up) can reach deeper in the dermis (deeper, supportive layer) to improve skin texture and firmness over time.
Though it was originally derived from milk, most modern lactic acid used in skincare is vegan. It is made through non-dairy fermentation to create a bio-identical and stable form suitable for all formulations.
When lactic acid shows up near the end of an ingredient list, it usually means the brand added just a tiny amount to adjust the product’s pH.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Lactic acid is truly a gentle multitasker: it exfoliates, hydrates, strengthens, and brightens. It's a great ingredient for giving your skin a smooth, glowing, and healthy look without the harshness of stronger acids.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Limonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.
It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".
Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.
When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
Linalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
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!