Sk-II Facial Lift Emulsion Versus La Mer The Regenerating Serum
Updated on June 28, 2024
Overview
Cool Features
They both contain niacinamide and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances and silicones
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
Sk-II Facial Lift Emulsion 29 ingredients
La Mer The Regenerating Serum 108 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Sk-II Facial Lift Emulsion 29 ingredients
La Mer The Regenerating Serum 108 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGalactomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Sucrose Polycottonseedate
Emollient
Isopropyl Isostearate
Emollient
Isohexadecane
EmollientC13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polyacrylamide
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Methylparaben
Preservative
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
PEG-100 Stearate
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingPropylparaben
Preservative
Ethylparaben
Preservative
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingDipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Sucrose Polycottonseedate, Isopropyl Isostearate, Isohexadecane, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Polyacrylamide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Stearyl Alcohol, Benzyl Alcohol, Methylparaben, Dimethiconol, Disodium EDTA, PEG-100 Stearate, Stearic Acid, Laureth-7, Propylparaben, Ethylparaben, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Sodium Hydroxide
Water
Skin ConditioningAlgae Extract
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene
EmollientCaprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride
EmollientDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningPEG-8 Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingPEG-10 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Polysilicone-11
Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingGlyceryl Triacetyl Ricinoleate
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
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 Conditioning
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantMagnesium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Succinate
Antioxidant
Niacin
Smoothing
Sesamum Indicum Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract
Cleansing
Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract
Astringent
Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract
Skin ConditioningHumulus Lupulus Extract
AntimicrobialMimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMelilotus Officinalis Extract
AstringentHydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Yeast Protein
Skin ConditioningMarrubium Vulgare Extract
Skin ConditioningEryngium Maritimum Extract
TonicBifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Adenosine Phosphate
Skin ConditioningAcetyl Carnitine Hcl
Skin ConditioningCreatine
Skin ConditioningCladosiphon Okamuranus Extract
Skin ConditioningPunica Granatum Fruit Juice
MaskingNordihydroguaiaretic Acid
Antioxidant
Lactis Proteinum
Skin ConditioningEthylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride
Antioxidant
Linolenic Acid
Cleansing
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Alcaligenes Polysaccharides
EmollientGelidiella Acerosa Extract
Skin ProtectingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Glycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning
Gold
Cosmetic ColorantHydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingIsododecane
EmollientHypnea Musciformis Extract
Skin ProtectingTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningDipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Glucosamine
Skin ConditioningLinoleic Acid
Cleansing
Micrococcus Lysate
Skin ConditioningTourmaline
Glycosaminoglycans
EmollientSoy Amino Acids
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Laminaria Digitata Extract
Skin Protecting
Yeast Extract
Skin Conditioning
Trisiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Tartaric Acid
Buffering
Tetraacetylphytosphingosine
Skin ConditioningDextrin
AbsorbentTocopherol
Antioxidant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBis-Stearyl Dimethicone
Emollient
Laureth-12
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientLecithin
Emollient
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Cyclodextrin
AbsorbentAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSilica
Abrasive
Citric Acid
Buffering
Glutathione
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Disodium EDTA
BHT
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
CI 61570
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Algae Extract, Dimethicone, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, PEG-8 Dimethicone, Triethylhexanoin, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Polysilicone-11, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Decyl Glucoside, Glyceryl Triacetyl Ricinoleate, Glycerin, Niacinamide, 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, Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract, Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract, Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract, Humulus Lupulus Extract, Mimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Melilotus Officinalis Extract, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein, Marrubium Vulgare Extract, Eryngium Maritimum Extract, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Adenosine Phosphate, Acetyl Carnitine Hcl, Creatine, Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Juice, Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid, Lactis Proteinum, Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride, Linolenic Acid, Caffeine, Alcaligenes Polysaccharides, Gelidiella Acerosa Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Gold, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phenyl Trimethicone, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Isododecane, Hypnea Musciformis Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Acetyl Glucosamine, Linoleic Acid, Micrococcus Lysate, Tourmaline, Glycosaminoglycans, Soy Amino Acids, Butylene Glycol, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Yeast Extract, Trisiloxane, Tartaric Acid, Tetraacetylphytosphingosine, Dextrin, Tocopherol, Pentylene Glycol, Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone, Laureth-12, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Lecithin, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Maltodextrin, Cyclodextrin, Alcohol Denat., Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, Silica, Citric Acid, Glutathione, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Disodium EDTA, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Limonene, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, Citronellol, Geraniol, CI 61570
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 WaterGlycerin 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 GlycerinNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeTocopheryl 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 AcetatePolymethylsilsesquioxane is a silicone used as a film forming agent.
When applied to the skin, this ingredient creates an invisible film on the surface. This film still allows oxygen to pass through, but prevents moisture from escaping. This can help condition and hydrate the skin. It also leaves a silky feel when applied.
Polymethylsilsesquioxane has not been shown to clog pores. It has been deemed safe to use up to 55%, but most cosmetics use much less.
If you have concerns about using this ingredient, we recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about PolymethylsilsesquioxaneDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTADipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline isn't fungal acne safe.
Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideIngredient Ratings
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