Peptide Skincare & BeautySkin science and ingredient guides

Ingredient or product comparison

The Ordinary Argireline Solution 10% Versus Medik8 Liquid Peptides

The Ordinary Argireline Solution 10% Versus Medik8 Liquid Peptides Detailed comparison of The Ordinary Argireline Solution 10% versus Medik8 Liquid Peptides. This anti-aging serum is formulated around Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 to soften the look of wrinkles. This a

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The Ordinary Argireline Solution 10% Versus Medik8 Liquid Peptides Detailed comparison of The Ordinary Argireline Solution 10% versus Medik8 Liquid Peptides. This anti-aging serum is formulated around Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 to soften the look of wrinkles. This anti-aging serum is formulated around Carnosine and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 to soften the look of wrinkles and refine skin texture. No concerns Water Propanediol Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate Gellan Gum Sodium Chloride Isoceteth-20 Dimethyl Isosorbide Potassium Sorbate Phenoxyethanol Chlorphenesin Water, Propanediol, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Gellan Gum, Sodium Chloride, Isoceteth-20, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin Glycerin Butylene Glycol Inulin Sodium Hyaluronate Panthenol Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide Carnosine Carbomer Polysorbate 20 Caprylyl Glycol Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin Dunaliella Salina Extract Ethylhexylglycerin Citric Acid Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 Sodium Benzoate Tetrapeptide-21 Pentapeptide-18 Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 Pantolactone Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38 Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 Glyceryl Caprylate Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer Polyvinyl Alcohol Phenylpropanol Copper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-14 Heptapeptide-15 Palmitate Xanthan Gum Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Inulin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Carnosine, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Sodium Benzoate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Tetrapeptide-21, Pentapeptide-18, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Pantolactone, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Glyceryl Caprylate, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Phenylpropanol, Copper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-14, Heptapeptide-15 Palmitate, Potassium Sorbate, Xanthan Gum These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (also known as Argireline) is a synthetic hexapeptide that is often called a "topical Botox alternative". It works by mimicking how Botox relaxes muscles; it interferes with the signaling process that tells your facial muscles to contract. This can help soften expression lines like forehead wrinkles or crow's feet over time. The comparison to Botox does have limits because the molecule is water-loving and relatively large. Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 has a hard time absorbing deeply enough through the skin's outer barrier to actually reach the muscles. So whether it truly works the way Botox does at a biological level is still up for debate, but early clinical outcomes are fairly encouraging. A 12 week human study of a multi-ingredient regimen containing this ingredient saw: While some studies have observed improvements in wrinkle appearance, it is important to note that more consistent results are seen in multi-ingredient formulations (vs just Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 alone). Some research studies also used higher concentrations (up to 10%) while this ingredient is usually found in concentrations up to 0.005% in leave-on formulations. Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!). It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome. On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive. Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10). You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own. Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU. Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages. Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon. Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products. This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus. Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods,