MEDI-PEEL Peptide 9 Bio Sun Stick SPF 50+ PA+++ Versus Abib Quick Sunstick Protection Bar SPF 50+

MEDI-PEEL Peptide 9 Bio Sun Stick SPF 50+ PA+++ Versus Abib Quick Sunstick Protection Bar SPF 50+

This hybrid sunscreen covers the full UV range and blocks ~98% of UVB at SPF 50.

This chemical sunscreen covers most of the UV range, lighter on the deep UVA that drives aging.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Triethylhexanoin

Ceresin

Acrylates Copolymer

Water

Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate

Isononyl Isononanoate

Isoamyl Laurate

Dibutyl Adipate

Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate

Butyloctyl Salicylate

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor

Ethylhexyl Palmitate

Euphorbia Cerifera Wax

Polymethyl Methacrylate

Ozokerite

Zinc Oxide

Titanium Dioxide

Glycerin

Niacinamide

Nylon-12

Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate

Microcrystalline Wax

Sorbitan Sesquioleate

1,2-Hexanediol

Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2

Sorbitan Olivate

Aluminum Hydroxide

Stearic Acid

Tocopherol

Butylene Glycol

Ethylhexylglycerin

Adenosine

Glycine Soja Oil

Disodium EDTA

Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract

Laminaria Japonica Extract

Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract

Viola Mandshurica Flower Extract

Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate

Fructan

Oryza Sativa Germ Extract

Oryza Sativa Extract

BHT

Cimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract

Angelica Gigas Root Extract

Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract

Morus Alba Bark Extract

Phellinus Linteus Extract

Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract

Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract

Sophora Flavescens Root Extract

Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract

Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract

Pvp

Hydrogenated Polyisobutene

Cynanchum Atratum Extract

Lycopodium Clavatum Extract

Equisetum Arvense Extract

Propanediol

Biosaccharide Gum-4

Sodium Hyaluronate

Hydrolyzed Elastin

Atelocollagen

Desamido Collagen

Hydrolyzed Collagen

Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin

Polysorbate 80

Soluble Collagen

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid

Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate

Ubiquinone

Collagen

Collagen Amino Acids

Astaxanthin

Glutathione

Sodium Benzoate

Fullerenes

Hexapeptide-9

Acetyl Hexapeptide-8

Copper Tripeptide-1

Procollagen

Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate

Nonapeptide-1

Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1

Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5

Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate

Tripeptide-1

Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2

Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate

Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract

Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer

Hyaluronic Acid

Pentylene Glycol

Potassium Hyaluronate

Parfum

Triethylhexanoin, Ceresin, Acrylates Copolymer, Water, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Isoamyl Laurate, Dibutyl Adipate, Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Ozokerite, Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Nylon-12, Phytosteryl/Isostearyl/Cetyl/Stearyl/Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Microcrystalline Wax, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Sorbitan Olivate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Glycine Soja Oil, Disodium EDTA, Dioscorea Japonica Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Viola Mandshurica Flower Extract, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Fructan, Oryza Sativa Germ Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, BHT, Cimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract, Pvp, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Cynanchum Atratum Extract, Lycopodium Clavatum Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Propanediol, Biosaccharide Gum-4, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Elastin, Atelocollagen, Desamido Collagen, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Polysorbate 80, Soluble Collagen, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Ubiquinone, Collagen, Collagen Amino Acids, Astaxanthin, Glutathione, Sodium Benzoate, Fullerenes, Hexapeptide-9, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1, Procollagen, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Nonapeptide-1, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2, Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate, Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hyaluronic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Potassium Hyaluronate, Parfum

Homosalate 9.5%

Octocrylene 5%

Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4.5%

Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%

Octyldodecanol

Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate

Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide

Diisostearyl Malate

Dibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide

C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate

Dextrin Palmitate

Squalane

Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil

Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil

Olea Europaea Fruit Oil

Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein

Maltodextrin

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Hydrogenated Lecithin

Centella Asiatica Extract

Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment

Ceramide NP

Caprylyl Glycol

Homosalate 9.5%, Octocrylene 5%, Ethylhexyl Salicylate 4.5%, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3%, Octyldodecanol, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide, Diisostearyl Malate, Dibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide, Butyloctyl Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Dextrin Palmitate, Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Squalane, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Maltodextrin, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Ceramide NP, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopherol, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Tripeptide-1

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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

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.

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract is a botanical extract pulled from the leaves of aloe vera and one of the most studied plant ingredients in cosmetics.

The inner leaf gel it comes from is mostly water (~99-99.5%) and the remaining fraction is made up of pretty good stuff: polysaccharides, vitamins, phenolics, and enzymes.

Its headline job is hydration.

The star polysaccharide in aloe, acemannan, is a humectant that retains moisture and helps reduce trans-epidermal water loss.

Aloe also has real soothing credentials; it contains anti-inflammatory compounds like bradykinase and C-glucosyl chromone that help calm irritation and redness.

On the repair side, lab work shows that acemannan wakes up your skin's repair cells (fibroblasts), prompting them to multiply and speed up healing.

There's some human data for cosmetic benefit too: a cream containing 10% Aloe Barbadensis leaf extract improved skin hydration and elasticity in a real-use study.

Safety-wise, this ingredient is well-regarded with just one rare downside; there have been some case reports of acute eczema, contact urticaria, and dermatitis in people who applied aloe-derived ingredients topically. Those with a known aloe or Liliaceae sensitivity should patch test.

Typical use levels range widely, from under 1% up to 90%+ depending on the format and the effect you are after.

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.

Butyloctyl Salicylate is a chemical UV filter structurally similar to octisalate. It is a photostabilizer, SPF booster, emollient and solvent. This ingredient helps evenly spread out ingredients.

According to a manufacturer, it is suitable for pairing with micro Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, and pigments.

Photostabilizers help stabilize UV-filters and prevents them from degrading quickly.

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (aka MCT Oil) is a lightweight emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping to prevent moisture loss.

Though it behaves like an oil, it is not technically one due to its chemical composition. One perk of this ingredient is that it is very stable, resistant to oxidation, and unlikely to go rancid.

In practice, that translates to a long shelf life and a consistently elegant skin feel.

While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this. Just patch test if you have concerns.

Fractionated coconut oil and MCT Oil are both listed as Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride according to INCI. This is because INCI names are based on the ingredient’s final chemical composition and not its marketing name or source.

This ingredient is treated as the gold standard fungal acne safe oil. Even though it is coconut derived, the problematic lauric acid is stripped out.

This leaves just caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid. These chain lengths actually trend antifungal; a 2020 study found caprylic acid was enough to disrupt Malassezia furfur cell membrane, with a caprylic acid derivative damaging membrane structures at concentrations as low as 0.2%.

Copper Tripeptide-1 (GHK-Cu) is a skin repairing ingredient known for its ability to boost collagen, improve firmness, and support skin regeneration.

It is a complex made up of a naturally occurring peptide (glycine-histidine-lysine) and copper, an essential trace element.

While studying wound healing, researchers noticed GHK-Cu stimulated hair follicle enlargement and growth by keeping hair in its active growth phase longer. This has made it a promising ingredient for hair regrowth treatments.

Some people have reported increased facial hair. While GHK-Cu can make your hair follicles bigger, it usually doesn’t turn soft, barely-visible facial hairs into thick, dark ones.

Anecdotal reports suggest that overusing copper peptides might lead to premature aging due to excess free copper or enzyme imbalances. This claim isn’t backed by large-scale studies.

Unfortunately, there are limited human studies for this ingredient. While early results are promising, many studies are either small, in-vitro, or not rigorously controlled.

For example, there is a 1998 study that explored the effects of copper tripeptide, vitamin C, tretinoin, and melatonin on skin repair and collagen synthesis.

After one month, increased procollagen production was seen in 7 out of 10 participants using copper tripeptide (more than those using vitamin C, melatonin, or tretinoin.

While the study was exploratory, it offers early evidence that copper tripeptide may support collagen production. Larger, well-designed trials are still needed to confirm its potential and understand individual responses.

Read more about other common types of peptides here:

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.

Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.

It’s often used to:

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

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.

Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.

You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.

Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.

It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.

This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.

This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.

In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.

Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.

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!

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