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Q+A Peptide Facial Serum
Q+A

Q+A Peptide Facial Serum

Efficacy100/100IrritancyMedium
See all ingredients

Works for

Moisturizing
Tripeptide-29, Betaine + 8 more
Works well
What the product description says
“This formula is supported by Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid; two important hydrators, the former regarded for brightening skin tone.”
Source: Skinstore

This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": betaine, glycerin.

When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).

The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: tripeptide-29

Tripeptide-29HeroEffect: High~0.35–0.75%
BetaineKey active· HumectantEffect: HighHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture~3.7–5.6%
GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~1.3–1.9%
Sodium hyaluronateKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.2–0.7%
Magnesium pcaKey active· HumectantEffect: HighHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin~0.1–0.45%
Propylene glycol· HumectantEffect: LowHelps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating~4.8–7.2%
Pentylene glycol· EmollientEffect: LowUsed to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture~2.9–4.4%
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powderEffect: LowTraditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin~1.7–2.6%
Glyceryl caprylate· EmollientEffect: LowAn emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products~0.1–0.35%
Lactic acidUnder-dosedAn exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)~0.1–0.35%
Anti-aging
Side benefit the brand mentions · Tripeptide-29, Sodium ascorbyl phosphate + 1 more
May help
What the product description says
“This serum contains a Pure Peptide which helps boost collagen levels in the skin.”
Source: Skinstore

This product contains tripeptide-29. There is some human evidence that this ingredient helps reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin elasticity and firmness, though it is smaller or less consistent than the evidence for the best anti-aging ingredients.

Tripeptide-29Key activeEffect: Medium~0.35–0.75%
Sodium ascorbyl phosphateEffect: Low, below effective doseA stable derivative of vitamin C. It is oil-soluble which means it is more likely to penetrate the skin compared to the pure form of vitamin C (which is water-soluble), but it is less bio-available and is way less effective in stimulating collagen and reducing wrinkles compared to the pure form of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and its other derivatives (for example, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate). At the same time, this vitamin C derivative has been shown in studies to be effective in reducing acne, blemishes and clogged pores. It is less irritating then the pure form of vitamin C~0.15–0.6%
Lactic acidUnder-dosedAn exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)~0.1–0.35%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
2 strong irritants: Lonicera caprifolium extract, Sodium anisate
Medium risk
We flagged 11 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Propylene glycolHelps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritatingHigh~4.8–7.2%est.
Lonicera caprifolium extract—High~1–1.5%est.
Lonicera japonica flower extractA plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin. Can contain volalite oils and be irritatingHigh~0.5–1.1%est.
Sodium anisateUsed as a fragranceHigh~0.05–0.1%est.
Pentylene glycolUsed to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product textureMedium~2.9–4.4%est.
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powderTraditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skinMedium~1.7–2.6%est.
Sodium levulinateA preservativeMedium~0.4–0.95%est.
Sodium ascorbyl phosphateA stable derivative of vitamin C. It is oil-soluble which means it is more likely to penetrate the skin compared to the pure form of vitamin C (which is water-soluble), but it is less bio-available and is way less effective in stimulating collagen and reducing wrinkles compared to the pure form of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and its other derivatives (for example, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate). At the same time, this vitamin C derivative has been shown in studies to be effective in reducing acne, blemishes and clogged pores. It is less irritating then the pure form of vitamin CMedium~0.15–0.6%est.
Lactic acidAn exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)Medium~0.1–0.35%est.
Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrateA preservative that comes from radishes fermented by a bacteria. New research suggests that the preservation properties in the ingredient come from an ammonium salt that is not present naturally in radish root but used in its cultivation. Is problematic because the exact amount of the preservative agents is difficult to determineMedium~0.01–0.05%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.01–0.05%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged
Alternatives
The closest match we found
Vegan Collagen Booster Serum
Etude House Vegan Collagen Booster Serum
Closest match56% match
$38.00
View all alternatives

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Propylene glycol~4.8–7.2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating

More about Propylene glycol
Betaine~3.7–5.6%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture

More about Betaine
Pentylene glycol~2.9–4.4%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture

More about Pentylene glycol
Xanthan gum~2.1–3.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder~1.7–2.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin

More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder
Sodium phytate~1.4–2.1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to stabilize product formulations

More about Sodium phytate
Glycerin~1.3–1.9%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant

More about Glycerin
Lonicera caprifolium extract~1–1.5%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
More about Lonicera caprifolium extract
Biosaccharide gum-2~0.6–1.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Biosaccharide gum-2
Lonicera japonica flower extract~0.5–1.1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-oxidation

A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin. Can contain volalite oils and be irritating

More about Lonicera japonica flower extract
Sodium levulinate~0.4–0.95%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Sodium levulinate
Tripeptide-29~0.35–0.75%
Hero · Moisturizing
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-aging
More about Tripeptide-29
Sodium hyaluronate~0.2–0.7%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin

More about Sodium hyaluronate
Sodium ascorbyl phosphate~0.15–0.6%
Under-dosedIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-blemishAnti-oxidationAnti-aging

A stable derivative of vitamin C. It is oil-soluble which means it is more likely to penetrate the skin compared to the pure form of vitamin C (which is water-soluble), but it is less bio-available and is way less effective in stimulating collagen and reducing wrinkles compared to the pure form of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and its other derivatives (for example, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate). At the same time, this vitamin C derivative has been shown in studies to be effective in reducing acne, blemishes and clogged pores. It is less irritating then the pure form of vitamin C

More about Sodium ascorbyl phosphate
Magnesium pca~0.1–0.45%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Magnesium pca
Lactic acid~0.1–0.35%
Under-dosedIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
ExfoliationEvens skin toneMoisturizingAnti-aging

An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)

More about Lactic acid
Glyceryl caprylate~0.1–0.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

An emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products

More about Glyceryl caprylate
Cocoyl proline~0.05–0.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Cocoyl proline
Sodium anisate~0.05–0.1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Used as a fragrance

More about Sodium anisate
Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate~0.01–0.05%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative that comes from radishes fermented by a bacteria. New research suggests that the preservation properties in the ingredient come from an ammonium salt that is not present naturally in radish root but used in its cultivation. Is problematic because the exact amount of the preservative agents is difficult to determine

More about Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate
Citric acid~0.01–0.05%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid
Ingredient list view

Water, Propylene glycol, Betaine, Pentylene glycol, Xanthan gum, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder, Sodium phytate, Glycerin, Lonicera caprifolium extract, Biosaccharide gum-2, Lonicera japonica flower extract, Sodium levulinate, Tripeptide-29, Sodium hyaluronate, Sodium ascorbyl phosphate, Magnesium pca, Lactic acid, Glyceryl caprylate, Cocoyl proline, Sodium anisate, Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, Citric acid

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Worth comparing, line by line.

Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
Q+APeptide Facial SerumYOUR PRODUCTEtude HouseVegan Collagen Booster SerumNIODCAIS3)COPPER AMINO ISOLATE SERUM 3 1:1Thesera7.2 Revital Cell Ampoule THESERA
Match—56%55%53%
Price—$38.00$68.78—
Shared key ingredients—3 of 52 of 53 of 5
Key difference—Palmitoyl Tripeptide-37Acetyl Tetrapeptide-2Tripeptide-1
Irritancy Medium Medium Low Medium
Drying alcohol————
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 17 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  4. 4
    Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. 5
    VOLATILE CONSTITUENTS FROM THE FLOWERS OF TWO SPECIES OF HONEYSUCKLE ( LONICERA JAPONICA AND LONICERA CAPRIFOLIUM )semanticscholar.org
  6. 6
    Chemical composition of the essential oils from the flower, leaf and stem of Lonicera japonicancbi.nlm.nih.gov
Q+A Peptide Facial Serum
Q+APeptide Facial Serum
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