AMPLE:N Peptide Shot Ampoule 2x Versus Esfolio Retinol Vital Ampoule

AMPLE:N Peptide Shot Ampoule 2x Versus Esfolio Retinol Vital Ampoule

This anti-aging ampoule is formulated around Niacinamide and Adenosine to soften the look of wrinkles and refine skin texture.

This anti-aging ampoule is formulated around Niacinamide and Adenosine to soften the look of wrinkles and brighten dull-looking skin.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

No concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Glycerin

Butylene Glycol

Dipropylene Glycol

1,2-Hexanediol

Niacinamide

Polyglycerin-3

Adenosine

Beta-Glucan

Arginine

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate

Sodium Hyaluronate

Mallotus Japonicus Bark Extract

Yeast Extract

Helichrysum Arenarium Extract

Copper Tripeptide-1

Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2

Carbomer

Dextran

Hydroxyethylcellulose

Caramel

Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer

Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2

Xanthan Gum

Boron Nitride

Pvm/Ma Copolymer

Agar

Gellan Gum

Calcium Alginate

Caprylyl Glycol

Glucosylrutin

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5

Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate

Magnesium Chloride

Disodium EDTA

Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Polyglycerin-3, Adenosine, Beta-Glucan, Arginine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Mallotus Japonicus Bark Extract, Yeast Extract, Helichrysum Arenarium Extract, Copper Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Carbomer, Dextran, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Caramel, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2, Xanthan Gum, Boron Nitride, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Agar, Gellan Gum, Calcium Alginate, Caprylyl Glycol, Glucosylrutin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Tetradecyl Aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric Urea Trifluoroacetate, Magnesium Chloride, Disodium EDTA

Glycereth-26

Dimethicone

Benzyl Glycol

Sorbitan Sesquioleate

Betaine

Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate

Parfum

Tocopheryl Acetate

Trehalose

Panthenol

Chlorphenesin

Nelumbo Nucifera Phytoplacenta Culture Extract

Ethylhexylglycerin

PEG-35 Castor Oil

Citrus Limon Fruit Extract

Alcohol

Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine

Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract

Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Polysorbate 20

Hydrogenated Lecithin

Sodium PCA

Serine

Retinol

Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract

Tocopherol

Glycine

Cholesterol

Ceramide NP

Alanine

Brassica Campestris Sterols

Glutamic Acid

Ceteth-5

Ceteth-3

Inositol

Retinyl Palmitate

Calcium Pantothenate

Potassium Cetyl Phosphate

Linoleic Acid

Sucrose Stearate

Stearic Acid

Phytosphingosine

Palmitic Acid

Glycosphingolipids

Biotin

Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Glycereth-26, Dimethicone, Benzyl Glycol, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Betaine, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Arginine, Carbomer, Parfum, Tocopheryl Acetate, Trehalose, Panthenol, Chlorphenesin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Nelumbo Nucifera Phytoplacenta Culture Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, PEG-35 Castor Oil, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Alcohol, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Aesculus Hippocastanum Seed Extract, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polysorbate 20, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium PCA, Serine, Retinol, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Tocopherol, Glycine, Cholesterol, Ceramide NP, Alanine, Brassica Campestris Sterols, Glutamic Acid, Ceteth-5, Ceteth-3, Inositol, Retinyl Palmitate, Calcium Pantothenate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Linoleic Acid, Sucrose Stearate, Stearic Acid, Phytosphingosine, Palmitic Acid, Glycosphingolipids, Biotin

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

Adenosine is a purine nucleoside that your body already makes in every cell. In skincare, it acts mainly as a skin conditioning and anti-aging agent.

The way it works is fairly well mapped out:

Your skin has cells called fibroblasts that build collagen (the stuff that keeps skin firm and smooth). Adenosine basically flips a switch on these cells that tells them to get to work making more collagen and other proteins. These cells slow down on their own as skin ages, so Adenosine helps give them a little nudge to keep going.

The clinical backing is pretty solid too.

A blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 126 women aged 45-65 tested a 0.1% cream twice daily and found real improvements in crow's feet and frown lines using a precise 3D skin-mapping technique; these changes showed up by week 3 and held at 2 months.

A later study using Adenosine-loaded dissolving microneedle patches reported gains in wrinkle depth, dermal density, elasticity, and hydration.

On concentrations, South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has set 0.04% as the approved functional anti-wrinkle level. You'll typically see this ingredient used somewhere in the 0.04-0.1% range since it works at low doses.

This ingredient has been found safe for cosmetics with the data showing no irritation or sensitization.

Overall, this is a great ingredient for any anti-aging routine and has no photosensitizing effect, so it suits both AM and PM use.

Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid. This just means our bodies can product a bit on its own, but sometimes needs a little boost from food sources.

It is a part of your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.

Here's an interesting thing about Arginine: your skin converts it into urea through the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle. Urea is one of the most effective humectants your skin naturally produces.

A clinical study showed applying 2.5% arginine hydrochloride to atopic dermatitis skin showed significant urea levels in the stratum corneum and improved moisture in just four weeks.

Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide; nitric oxide improves microcirculation and supports wound healing and collagen synthesis.

One study found that an amino acid complex containing Arginine reduced skin irritation, improved hydration, and accelerated skin repair in clinical / in-vivo studies.

Arginine itself is an amino acid and not a fatty acid, oil, or ester. On its own, it's not a direct food source for Malassezia, or the yeast that causes fungal acne.

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.

Carbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.

Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.

It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.

Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.

A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.

Dipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created humectant, stabilizer, and solvent.

This ingredient helps:

Dipropylene glycol is technically an alcohol, but it belongs to the glycol family (often considered part of the ‘good’ alcohols). This means it is hydrating and gentle on skin unlike drying solvent alcohols like denatured alcohol.

As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.

Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.

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%.

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.

Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer is made up of glycerin and polyacrylic acid. It helps hydrate your skin as a humectant.

This ingredient forms a hydrogel that delivers moisturizing, water-based ingredients to the skin. It is also used to thicken a product and to give it a smooth texture.

Acrylic acid itself is toxic, but the polymer form (this ingredient) is too large to penetrate skin, making it non-toxic.

Niacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.

And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.

You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.

In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.

If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.

When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.

When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.

In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).

Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.

Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.

The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.

PVM/MA Copolymer is a synthetic and high-molecular weight polymer. It is used to create a flexible film that helps ingredients "stick together" on hair or skin. It also helps reduce static, help emulsions behave, and tweaks the thickness and flow of a product.

You'll most likely find this ingredient in hair styling products because that film is what helps styles last.

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!

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.

Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.

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