Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Estée Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher versus Estée Lauder Perfectionist Pro Serum Rapid Brightening Treatment with Ferment² + Vitamin C .
Published on December 23, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 15 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants, hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances and silicones
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.
Price
Ingredient Info
Estée Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher 54 ingredients
Estée Lauder Perfectionist Pro Serum Rapid Brightening Treatment with Ferment² + Vitamin C 59 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
Contains EU Allergens
Ingredients in this product that are EU allergens:
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Malassezia Safe
This product is free of malassezia feeding ingredients 🎉
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Estée Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher 54 ingredients
Estée Lauder Perfectionist Pro Serum Rapid Brightening Treatment with Ferment² + Vitamin C 59 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
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Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Benefits
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Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Estée Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher 54 ingredients
Estée Lauder Perfectionist Pro Serum Rapid Brightening Treatment with Ferment² + Vitamin C 59 ingredients
Water • Cyclopentasiloxane • Dimethicone • Polysilicone-11 • Acetyl Glucosamine • Sodium Lactate • Morus Nigra Root Extract • Yeast Extract • Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract • Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract • Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract • Scutellaria Baicalensis Extract • Castanea Sativa Seed Extract • Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract • Hordeum Vulgare Extract • Lavandula Angustifolia Extract • Amorphophallus Konjac Root Powder • Caffeine • Laminaria Saccharina Extract • Tocopheryl Acetate • Salvia Sclarea Extract • Sodium Hyaluronate • Coriandrum Sativum Oil • Citrus Grandis • Cholesterol • Glycerin • Ethylhexylglycerin • Squalane • Polyethylene • Isopentyldiol • Phenyl Trimethicone • Isohexadecane • Polysorbate 20 • Pantethine • Methyldihydrojasmonate • Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer • Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer • Polysorbate 80 • Peg-8 • Ethyl 2,2-Dimethylhydrocinnamal • Phospholipids • Palmitoyl Oligopeptide • Butylene Glycol • Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate • Glyceryl Polymethacrylate • Disodium Succinoyl Glycyrrhetinate • Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid • Chlorphenesin • Phenoxyethanol • Limonene • Linalool • CI 77491 • Mica • CI 77891
Water • Butylene Glycol • Glycerin • Glycereth-26 • Isononyl Isononanoate • Dimethicone • Propanediol • Ascorbyl Glucoside • Algae Extract • Sucrose • Acetyl Glucosamine • Hydroxyethyl Urea • Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract • Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract • Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract • Molasses Extract • Myrtus Communis Leaf Extract • Avena Sativa Kernel Extract • Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract • Hordeum Vulgare Extract • Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract • Salicylic Acid • Hydrolyzed Prunus Domestica • Caffeine • Sodium Lactate • Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate • Squalane • Oryzanol • Resveratrol • Sodium Hyaluronate • Sodium PCA • Ethylhexylglycerin • Bis-Peg-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane • Tocopheryl Acetate • Peg-75 • Oleth-3 Phosphate • Sorbitol • Caprylyl Glycol • Oleth-3 • Sodium Polyaspartate • Oleth-5 • Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer • Propylene Glycol Caprylate • Dextrin • Yeast Extract • Choleth-24 • Carbomer • Sodium Hydroxide • Ceteth-24 • Xanthan Gum • Parfum • Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer • Citric Acid • Sodium Citrate • Disodium EDTA • BHA • Potassium Sorbate • Sodium Benzoate • Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterEstée Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher contains this as ingredient number 1.
Estée Lauder Perfectionist Pro Serum Rapid Brightening Treatment with Ferment² + Vitamin C contains this as ingredient number 1.
Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.
Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.
Estée Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher contains this as ingredient number 3.
Estée Lauder Perfectionist Pro Serum Rapid Brightening Treatment with Ferment² + Vitamin C contains this as ingredient number 6.
Acetyl Glucosamine is an antioxidant and humectant. It is a form of Vitamin C.
Acetyl Glucosamine helps the skin produce hyaluronic acid and boost hydration.
Antioxidants help fight off free-radicals, molecules that may damage skin cells.
When paired with niacinamide, Acetyl Glucosamine has been shown to be effective at reducing discoloration.
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Acetyl GlucosamineEstée Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher contains this as ingredient number 5.
Estée Lauder Perfectionist Pro Serum Rapid Brightening Treatment with Ferment² + Vitamin C contains this as ingredient number 11.
Sodium Lactate is the sodium salt of lactic acid, an AHA. It is a humectant and used to adjust the pH of a product.
Sodium Lactate is part of our skin's NMF, or natural moisturizing factor. Our NMF is essential for the hydration of our top skin layers and plasticity of skin.
It also influences our skin's natural acid mantle and pH, which protects our skin from harmful bacteria.
Our NMF is formed from amino acids, lactic acid, sugars, minerals, peptides, and electrolytes. As we age, our NMF naturally depletes. Other sources of NMF depletion include harsh and drying ingredients such as denatured alcohol. Sodium lactate can help replenish our NMF, leading to more hydrated and plump skin.
High percentages of Sodium Lactate can have an exfoliating effect.
Sodium Lactate is produced from fermented sugar.
Learn more about Sodium LactateEstée Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher contains this as ingredient number 6.
Estée Lauder Perfectionist Pro Serum Rapid Brightening Treatment with Ferment² + Vitamin C contains this as ingredient number 25.
We don't have a description for Yeast Extract.
Estée Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher contains this as ingredient number 8.
Estée Lauder Perfectionist Pro Serum Rapid Brightening Treatment with Ferment² + Vitamin C contains this as ingredient number 45.
This ingredient is extracted from the germ part of the wheat plant. The germ of a plant refers to the seed embryo, or part that sprouts into a new plant.
Some studies have found wheat germ to help with wound healing.
Estée Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher contains this as ingredient number 10.
Estée Lauder Perfectionist Pro Serum Rapid Brightening Treatment with Ferment² + Vitamin C contains this as ingredient number 19.
We don't have a description for Hordeum Vulgare Extract.
Estée Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher contains this as ingredient number 15.
Estée Lauder Perfectionist Pro Serum Rapid Brightening Treatment with Ferment² + Vitamin C contains this as ingredient number 20.
Caffeine is most associated with coffee, tea, and cacao. In skincare, it helps with calming inflammation and anti-aging.
Caffeine is an antioxidants, which help with the signs of aging. This is because antioxidants help fight skin-damaging free radical molecules.
While caffeine is used to treat cellulite and and dark circles, further studies are needed to prove this. It has been believed to help with these skin conditions due to its ability to dilate blood vessels and increase blood flow.
Some studies are looking into caffeine's ability to protect against UV rays.
Learn more about CaffeineEstée Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher contains this as ingredient number 18.
Estée Lauder Perfectionist Pro Serum Rapid Brightening Treatment with Ferment² + Vitamin C contains this as ingredient number 24.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateEstée Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher contains this as ingredient number 20.
Estée Lauder Perfectionist Pro Serum Rapid Brightening Treatment with Ferment² + Vitamin C contains this as ingredient number 34.
Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateEstée Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher contains this as ingredient number 22.
Estée Lauder Perfectionist Pro Serum Rapid Brightening Treatment with Ferment² + Vitamin C contains this as ingredient number 30.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinEstée Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher contains this as ingredient number 26.
Estée Lauder Perfectionist Pro Serum Rapid Brightening Treatment with Ferment² + Vitamin C contains this as ingredient number 3.
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Estée Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher contains this as ingredient number 27.
Estée Lauder Perfectionist Pro Serum Rapid Brightening Treatment with Ferment² + Vitamin C contains this as ingredient number 32.
Squalane is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.
Because squalane boosts hydration in the skin, it also comes with plenty of benefits: it is an antioxidant and can help fight free radicals and skin damage. Squalane is also found to have a detoxifying effect when applied.
Squalane comes from squalene, which occurs naturally within the sebum of our skin. It is one of the oils our skin produces to keep itself hydrated. Squalane is the hydrogenated version of squalene and has a longer shelf life.
Research shows that squalane is non-irritating (even at 100% concentration).
In general, it's a fantastic ingredient. It does a great job at hydrating the skin, and it's suitable for those with sensitive skin.
The source of squalane may impact malassezia / fungal acne. This is because olive oil derived squalane can contain impurities such as fatty acids and plant waxes. Sugarcane derived squalane is recommended for anyone with malassezia concerns.
Is squalane vegan? This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.
Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.
Read more about squalene with an "e".
Learn more about SqualaneEstée Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher contains this as ingredient number 28.
Estée Lauder Perfectionist Pro Serum Rapid Brightening Treatment with Ferment² + Vitamin C contains this as ingredient number 27.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.
Estée Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher contains this as ingredient number 43.
Estée Lauder Perfectionist Pro Serum Rapid Brightening Treatment with Ferment² + Vitamin C contains this as ingredient number 2.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Estée Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher contains this as ingredient number 49.
Estée Lauder Perfectionist Pro Serum Rapid Brightening Treatment with Ferment² + Vitamin C contains this as ingredient number 59.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Estée Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher 54 ingredients
Estée Lauder Perfectionist Pro Serum Rapid Brightening Treatment with Ferment² + Vitamin C 59 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Estée Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher 54 ingredients
Estée Lauder Perfectionist Pro Serum Rapid Brightening Treatment with Ferment² + Vitamin C 59 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Estée Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher 54 ingredients
ChristineQuimbo_318
I've been using Idealist since it first came out in 2000, and have loved it ever since. They've discontinued just this year, and I'm now desperate...
I've been using Idealist since it first came out in 2000, and have loved it ever since. They've discontinued just this year, and I'm now desperate for any stock left, or for EL to bring it back...
Estée Lauder Perfectionist Pro Serum Rapid Brightening Treatment with Ferment² + Vitamin C 59 ingredients
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