A percentage on a skincare label is useful only when you know what it measures. When comparing copper peptide serums, ask whether the percentage describes the active ingredient itself or a supplied blend that contains it.
Active ingredient or ingredient blend?
These are different measurements. As a hypothetical example, adding 1 gram of a solution containing 1% active ingredient to a 100-gram finished formula would contribute 0.01 gram of that active, or 0.01% of the finished formula. That is different from a finished formula containing 1 gram of the active itself.
This example explains the arithmetic only. It does not describe Blue Hour or any other product’s formulation.
Three questions to ask a brand
- Which ingredient does the percentage refer to?
- Is that the active concentration in the finished formula, or the amount of a supplied ingredient blend added to it?
- Where can I read the complete ingredient list and the product’s application directions?
If two brands calculate their percentages differently, the numbers are not directly comparable. A larger number alone does not establish that a product will work better for you.
Read beyond the percentage
Compare the complete formula, bottle size, directions and price. A short list of highlighted ingredients is not the complete ingredient list. Likewise, a serum’s color does not tell you the concentration of an ingredient.
For a consistent price comparison, divide the current price by the bottle’s volume in millilitres. Cost per application requires knowing how much you actually use, so it cannot be calculated reliably from bottle price alone.
Blue Hour in your evening routine
Blue Hour Serum is Only Child’s 30 ml evening serum with copper peptide, niacinamide, bifida ferment lysate and centella. Its directions are one pump after toner or essence, followed by moisturizer.
For questions about the formula or an ingredient disclosure, contact Only Child. If you are comparing products, our copper peptide serum guide explains what to check on each manufacturer’s page.
Frequently asked questions
Does “1% blend” mean “1% active ingredient”?
No. You need to know how much active ingredient the blend contains and how much blend is used in the finished formula.
Can I compare two products using the percentage alone?
Only if the percentages measure the same thing, and even then the number is just one part of the comparison. Check the full ingredients and directions too.
Where does a serum go in my routine?
Follow the directions for that particular product. For Blue Hour’s application order, see how to layer copper peptides.