Dr. Denese SkinScience Wrinkle RX 76% Peptide Solution Concentrate Versus Ipse Cosmetic Botonix Age-Defying Ampoule

Dr. Denese SkinScience Wrinkle RX 76% Peptide Solution Concentrate Versus Ipse Cosmetic Botonix Age-Defying Ampoule

This anti-aging treatment is formulated around Tripeptide-1 and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 to soften the look of wrinkles and refine skin texture.

This anti-aging ampoule is formulated around Adenosine and Panax Ginseng Root Extract to soften the look of wrinkles and hydrate skin.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Cyclomethicone

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Glycerin

Dipropylene Glycol

Sodium Hyaluronate

Dimethicone

PEG/PPG-19/19 Dimethicone

Hydrolyzed Rice Protein

Butylene Glycol

Lecithin

Acetyl Sh-Heptapeptide-1

Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract

Sh-Polypeptide-7

Tripeptide-1

Caprooyl Tetrapeptide-3

Avena Sativa Kernel Protein

Palmitoyl Oligopeptide

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5

Oligopeptide-4

Diacetyl Boldine

Adenosine

Arginine

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate

Tocopheryl Acetate

Glucose

Dextran

Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane

Dimethiconol

PPG-26-Buteth-26

PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Sodium Phosphate

EDTA

Sodium Chloride

Sodium Polyacrylate

Methyl Gluceth-20

Disodium EDTA

Carbomer

Polysorbate 20

Polysorbate 80

Xanthan Gum

Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Oil

Pvm/Ma Copolymer

Caprylyl Glycol

Phenoxyethanol

Water, Cyclomethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dimethicone, PEG/PPG-19/19 Dimethicone, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Butylene Glycol, Lecithin, Acetyl Sh-Heptapeptide-1, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Sh-Polypeptide-7, Tripeptide-1, Caprooyl Tetrapeptide-3, Avena Sativa Kernel Protein, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Oligopeptide-4, Diacetyl Boldine, Adenosine, Arginine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glucose, Dextran, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Dimethiconol, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Phosphate, EDTA, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Polyacrylate, Methyl Gluceth-20, Disodium EDTA, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Polysorbate 80, Xanthan Gum, Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Oil, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol

Cyclopentasiloxane

Glycol

Alcohol Denat.

Betaine

Cyclohexasiloxane

Glycereth-26

Silica

Octyldodeceth-16

PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

Polyacrylate-13

Polyisobutene

Chlorphenesin

Ethylhexylglycerin

Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil

Parfum

Hexanediol

1,2-Hexanediol

Sorbitan Isostearate

Caramel

Cyclotetrasiloxane

Artemisia Vulgaris Extract

Gold

Citrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract

Tripropylene Glycol

Propylene Glycol

Panax Ginseng Root Extract

Acetyl Octapeptide-3

Water, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Betaine, Cyclohexasiloxane, Methyl Gluceth-20, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, Silica, Octyldodeceth-16, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polyacrylate-13, Polyisobutene, Chlorphenesin, Dimethiconol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Carbomer, Parfum, Arginine, Xanthan Gum, Hexanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Adenosine, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan Isostearate, Caramel, Disodium EDTA, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Cyclotetrasiloxane, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Gold, Citrus Aurantifolia Fruit Extract, Tripropylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Acetyl Octapeptide-3

Alternatives

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

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.

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant, skin conditioner, emollient, and preservative booster derived from either caprylic acid or synthetically created.

Typical use levels vary from 0.3-1% as a preservative booster and go up to 2% to condition skin.

Because it is not a free-fatty acid, this ingredient is fungal acne safe (there's nothing for Malassezia to feed on).

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.

Dimethiconol is a silicone that resembles the popular dimethicone. Like other silicones, it is an emollient. Emollients create a thin film on skin to prevent moisture from escaping.

This ingredient helps to create a silky texture and improve spreadability. Due to its high molecular weight and thickness, it is often combined with cyclopentasiloxane.

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.

Extracts of licorice have demonstrated to have antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant properties.

One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.

Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.

Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.

Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.

Licorice root is native to Southern Europe and Asia. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with respiratory issues.

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.

Methyl Gluceth-20 is a humectant. Humectants help draw moisture from the air to your skin.

It is created by combining polyethylene glycol with glucose.

Polysorbate 20 is a gentle, water-soluble emulsifier and mild surfactant. It stops oil and water from separating to keep your formulas blended and stable.

It also acts as a mild penetration enhancer by helping active ingredients absorb slightly better.

The common safety discussion around this ingredient involves a manufacturing byproduct called 1,4-dioxane.

Trace amounts can form during production but the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has concluded that levels at/below 10 ppm in finished products are safe (commercial products consistently fall within acceptable margins).

True allergic reactions are uncommon and the CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be safe as used in cosmetics.

Because it is derived from lauric acid, it may not be fungal acne safe.

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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