La Prairie Platinum Rare Haute-Rejuvenation Elixir Versus La Mer Genaissance de la Mer The Serum Essence
Updated on February 12, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 14 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants and peptides
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin and brightening skin
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances and oils
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 Prairie Platinum Rare Haute-Rejuvenation Elixir 54 ingredients
La Mer Genaissance de la Mer The Serum Essence 116 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
La Prairie Platinum Rare Haute-Rejuvenation Elixir 54 ingredients
La Mer Genaissance de la Mer The Serum Essence 116 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Sd Alcohol 40-B
Astringent
Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientHydrolyzed Yeast Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Isopentyldiol
HumectantGlycoproteins
Skin Conditioning
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Equisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentColloidal Platinum
Antimicrobial
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningAvena Sativa Kernel Extract
Abrasive
Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Extract
MaskingPaeonia Lactiflora Root Extract
Skin ConditioningCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingSaccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin ConditioningRubus Idaeus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningDecapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Oligopeptide-6
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
Emollient1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningSuccinoglycan
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCarrageenan
Alcaligenes Polysaccharides
EmollientCetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Polyglucuronic Acid
Skin ConditioningDiglucosyl Gallic Acid
Trehalose
HumectantLecithin
EmollientMica
Cosmetic Colorant
Silica
Abrasive
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Preservative
CI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantCI 77499
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butylene Glycol, Sd Alcohol 40-B, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Hydrolyzed Yeast Extract, Glycerin, Isopentyldiol, Glycoproteins, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Colloidal Platinum, Lactobacillus Ferment, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Rubus Idaeus Leaf Extract, Decapeptide-4, Oligopeptide-6, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Biotin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Saccharide Isomerate, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Succinoglycan, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Xanthan Gum, Carrageenan, Alcaligenes Polysaccharides, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Polyglucuronic Acid, Diglucosyl Gallic Acid, Trehalose, Lecithin, Mica, Silica, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Parfum, Benzyl Alcohol, Linalool, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, CI 77891, CI 77499
Algae Extract
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Isododecane
EmollientPolysilicone-11
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Sesamum 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 ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventHypnea Musciformis Extract
Skin ProtectingGelidiella Acerosa Extract
Skin ProtectingPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningLactis Proteinum
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningPisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningHelichrysum Arenarium Extract
AntiseborrhoeicPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Bambusa Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningCentaurium Erythraea Extract
Skin ConditioningBis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane
EmollientLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingCitrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract
Cleansing
Coffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningRubus Idaeus Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningSucrose
HumectantLimnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCrithmum Maritimum Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningJania Rubens Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG-8
HumectantHordeum Vulgare Extract
EmollientSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Laminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingMicrococcus Lysate
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces Lysate Extract
HumectantCaprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientPalmaria Palmata Extract
Skin ProtectingPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
Skin Conditioning
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sodium PCA
HumectantUrea
Buffering
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientAcrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlyceryl Polymethacrylate
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glycosaminoglycans
EmollientParfum
Masking
Isohexadecane
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Tetraacetylphytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningDipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin Conditioning
Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer
Squalane
Emollient
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Emollient
Ruby Powder
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Rice Extract
Skin ConditioningTourmaline
Hydrolyzed Algin
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Gold
Cosmetic ColorantGlucosamine Hcl
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientYeast Polysaccharides
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Trehalose
HumectantPolyquaternium-51
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingYeast Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Zea Mays Kernel Extract
Glycyrrhetinic Acid
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingLecithin
EmollientMaltodextrin
AbsorbentAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Trimethylsiloxysilicate
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantAlgae Extract, Dimethicone, Isododecane, Polysilicone-11, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, 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, Water, Propanediol, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Gelidiella Acerosa Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Extract, Lactis Proteinum, Caffeine, Acetyl Glucosamine, Pisum Sativum Extract, Helichrysum Arenarium Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Centaurium Erythraea Extract, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Rubus Idaeus Leaf Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Sucrose, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Jania Rubens Extract, PEG-8, Hordeum Vulgare Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Micrococcus Lysate, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Palmaria Palmata Extract, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Polysorbate 20, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sodium PCA, Urea, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycosaminoglycans, Parfum, Isohexadecane, Pentylene Glycol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tetraacetylphytosphingosine, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Squalane, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Ruby Powder, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Hydrolyzed Rice Extract, Tourmaline, Hydrolyzed Algin, Potassium Sorbate, Gold, Glucosamine Hcl, Caprylyl Glycol, Yeast Polysaccharides, Polysorbate 80, Trehalose, Polyquaternium-51, Hexylene Glycol, Yeast Extract, Cholesterol, Zea Mays Kernel Extract, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Lecithin, Maltodextrin, Alcohol Denat., Xanthan Gum, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Hydroxycitronellal, Citronellol, Geraniol, Linalool, Limonene, Caramel, CI 14700
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.
Bis-Peg-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane belongs to the siloxanes and silicones classes. It is synthetically created and has a waxy composition.
This ingredient is a humectant and emollient, meaning it helps hydrate the skin. Humectants draw moisture to your skin, while emollients prevent moisture from escaping.
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 GlycerinThis ingredient is more commonly known as the coffee bean from the Coffea Arabica tree. Besides being a delicious drink, coffee beans have a ton of skin benefits.
Coffea Arabica Seed Extract (CASE) has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and UV-protective properties. (It should not replace your sunscreen!)
CASE contains several ingredients that protect and soothe skin. These include caffeine, polysaccharides, sucrose, lipids, minerals, and proteins.
The star ingredient in coffee is caffeine.
Caffeine helps with anti-aging, antioxidant, and photo-protection.
How? It has been shown to block collagenase (~41%), elastase (~35%), and tyrosinase (~13%).
Collagenase and elastase are enzymes that break down collagen and elastin, respectively. Tyrosinase is the enzyme that controls melanin production.
Our skin creates melanin when exposed to UV as a defense mechanism.
It should be noted most studies looked at caffeine's ability to inhibit damage from UV-B rays.
According to a manufacturer, this ingredient is often dissolved using water, glycerin, and propanediol. The caffeine content of this ingredient is about 100 ppm.
Coffea Arabica is native to Ethiopia.
Learn more about Coffea Arabica Seed ExtractWe don't have a description for Rubus Idaeus Leaf Extract yet.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumTrehalose is a disaccharide made of two glucose molecules (glucose is sugar!). Trehalose is used to help moisturize skin. It also has antioxidant properties.
As a humectant, trehalose helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
Due to its antioxidant properties, trehalose may help with signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, unstable molecules that may damage your skin.
In medicine, trehalose and hyaluronic acid are used to help treat dry eyes.
Some animals, plants, and bacteria create trehalose as a source of energy to survive freeze or lack of water.
Learn more about TrehaloseLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of mixture of phospholipids.
This ingredient has emollient and emulsifying properties.
As an emollient, lecithen helps soften the skin and creates a barrier to keep moisture in.
As an emulsifier, it also helps prevent water and oil ingredients from separating. Lecithin can also help ingredients be better absorbed by the skin.
This is because the phospholipids in lecithin produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that feeds fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent 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.
Ingredient Ratings
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