La Mer The Essential Tonic Versus Sk-II Facial Treatment Essence (Pitera Essence) - Original
Updated on August 28, 2024
Overview
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging and dry skin
Free From
They both do not contain any silicones or sulfates
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
La Mer The Essential Tonic 63 ingredients
Sk-II Facial Treatment Essence (Pitera Essence) 7 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
La Mer The Essential Tonic 63 ingredients
Sk-II Facial Treatment Essence (Pitera Essence) 7 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Algae Extract
Emollient
Methyl Gluceth-20
HumectantGlycereth-26
HumectantSesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Medicago Sativa Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seedcake
Abrasive
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal
Abrasive
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCopper Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCalcium Gluconate
HumectantMagnesium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Succinate
Antioxidant
Niacin
Smoothing
Sesamum Indicum Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningAspergillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningYeast Extract
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Caffeine
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
HumectantTrehalose
HumectantEcklonia Cava Extract
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract
Cleansing
Laminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingCladosiphon Okamuranus Extract
Skin ConditioningHomarine Hcl
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Urea
Buffering
Erythritol
HumectantSucrose
HumectantPEG-8
HumectantHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDextrin
AbsorbentPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningPEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Emulsifying
Laureth-3
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Triacetin
AntimicrobialParfum
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Citrate
BufferingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
CI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Polysorbate 20, Algae Extract, Methyl Gluceth-20, Glycereth-26, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Medicago Sativa Seed Powder, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Sodium Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Calcium Gluconate, Magnesium Gluconate, Zinc Gluconate, Tocopheryl Succinate, Niacin, Sesamum Indicum Seed Powder, Aspergillus Ferment, Lactobacillus Ferment, Yeast Extract, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycerin, Caffeine, Sodium PCA, Trehalose, Ecklonia Cava Extract, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, Caprylyl Glycol, Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract, Homarine Hcl, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Urea, Erythritol, Sucrose, PEG-8, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Xanthan Gum, Dextrin, Polyquaternium-51, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Laureth-3, Propanediol, Alcohol Denat., Triacetin, Parfum, Linalool, Tocopheryl Acetate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, CI 14700, CI 19140, CI 17200
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterButylene 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.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
La Mer The Essential Tonic 63 ingredients
Sk-II Facial Treatment Essence (Pitera Essence) 7 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
La Mer The Essential Tonic 63 ingredients
Sk-II Facial Treatment Essence (Pitera Essence) 7 ingredients
IT'S EXPENSIVE BUT WORTH THE MONEY!!!!
I'm the kind of person who is willing to go all out and drop some money for good skincare if I know I will use up every drop and love it. I've tried a lot of snail mucin products (my oily acne-prone skin LOVES it) and this one is different! I've tried the COSRX and the Peach Slices and both don't compare to this. Peach Slices have a similar texture while Show more
good product, but i don’t notice a difference between this and the much cheaper COSRX option.
