Versus

Sk-II Facial Lift Emulsion Versus La Mer The Regenerating Serum

Emulsion
Serum
Japanese Brand Japan
American Brand United States

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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

Sk-II Facial Lift Emulsion 29 ingredients

La Mer The Regenerating Serum 108 ingredients

About this product

About this product

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

found in both products
The Regenerating Serum

Water

Skin Conditioning

Algae Extract

Emollient
May worsen Oily Skin Icon

Dimethicone

Emollient
1 / 0 Silicon Icon

Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer

Hydrogenated Polyisobutene

Emollient
1 / 2

Caprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic Triglyceride

Emollient

Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer

Skin Conditioning

PEG-8 Dimethicone

Emulsifying
Silicon Icon

Triethylhexanoin

Masking

PEG-10 Dimethicone

Skin Conditioning
Silicon Icon

Polysilicone-11

Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil

Skin Conditioning
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Decyl Glucoside

Cleansing

Glyceryl Triacetyl Ricinoleate

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Niacinamide

Smoothing
Niacinamide IconGood for Oily Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil

Emollient
1-3 / 0 Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Medicago Sativa Seed Powder

Skin Conditioning

Helianthus Annuus Seedcake

Abrasive
Exfoliant IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal

Abrasive
Exfoliant Icon

Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil

Perfuming
Fragrance IconOil IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Sodium Gluconate

Skin Conditioning

Copper Gluconate

Skin Conditioning

Calcium Gluconate

Humectant

Magnesium Gluconate

Skin Conditioning

Zinc Gluconate

Skin Conditioning
Helps fight Acne Icon

Tocopheryl Succinate

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Niacin

Smoothing
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Sesamum Indicum Seed Powder

Skin Conditioning

Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract

Cleansing
Fragrance Icon

Narcissus Tazetta Bulb Extract

Astringent
May cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Citrus Reticulata Peel Extract

Skin Conditioning

Humulus Lupulus Extract

Antimicrobial

Mimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract

Skin Protecting

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract

Antimicrobial

Melilotus Officinalis Extract

Astringent

Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein

Skin Conditioning

Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein

Skin Conditioning

Marrubium Vulgare Extract

Skin Conditioning

Eryngium Maritimum Extract

Tonic

Bifida Ferment Lysate

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Adenosine Phosphate

Skin Conditioning

Acetyl Carnitine Hcl

Skin Conditioning

Creatine

Skin Conditioning

Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract

Skin Conditioning

Punica Granatum Fruit Juice

Masking

Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Lactis Proteinum

Skin Conditioning

Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Linolenic Acid

Cleansing
Fragrance IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Caffeine

Skin Conditioning

Alcaligenes Polysaccharides

Emollient

Gelidiella Acerosa Extract

Skin Protecting

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate

Humectant
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract

Antimicrobial
Antioxidant Icon

Acetyl Hexapeptide-8

Humectant
Peptide IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Glycine Soja Seed Extract

Skin Conditioning

Gold

Cosmetic Colorant

Hydrolyzed Soy Protein

Humectant

Hydrogenated Lecithin

Emulsifying

Phenyl Trimethicone

Skin Conditioning
Silicon Icon

Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

Isododecane

Emollient

Hypnea Musciformis Extract

Skin Protecting

Tocopheryl Acetate

Antioxidant
0 / 0 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant Icon

Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract

Skin Conditioning

Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline

Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Acetyl Glucosamine

Skin Conditioning

Linoleic Acid

Cleansing
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Micrococcus Lysate

Skin Conditioning

Tourmaline

Glycosaminoglycans

Emollient

Soy Amino Acids

Skin Conditioning

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Laminaria Digitata Extract

Skin Protecting

Yeast Extract

Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Trisiloxane

Skin Conditioning
Silicon Icon

Tartaric Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Tetraacetylphytosphingosine

Skin Conditioning

Dextrin

Absorbent

Tocopherol

Antioxidant
0-3 / 0-3 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Pentylene Glycol

Skin Conditioning

Bis-Stearyl Dimethicone

Emollient
Silicon Icon

Laureth-12

Emulsifying

Potassium Sorbate

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Parfum

Masking
Fragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient

Lecithin

Emollient

Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin

Masking

Maltodextrin

Absorbent

Cyclodextrin

Absorbent

Alcohol Denat.

Antimicrobial
Alcohol IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Sodium Hydroxide

Buffering

Xanthan Gum

Emulsifying

Silica

Abrasive
Exfoliant IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Citric Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Glutathione

Good for Dark Spots Icon

Polymethylsilsesquioxane

Silicon Icon

Disodium EDTA

BHT

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Limonene

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Linalool

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Hydroxycitronellal

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Citronellol

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Geraniol

Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

CI 61570

Cosmetic Colorant

Water, 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.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

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 Glycerin
Smoothing

Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.

It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.

Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.

The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.

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.

Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.

Learn more about Niacinamide
Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

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.
  • It has mild preservative properties.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Dimethicone 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 Dimethicone
Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning

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 Acetate

Polymethylsilsesquioxane 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 Polymethylsilsesquioxane

Disodium 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 EDTA
Skin Conditioning

Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline isn't fungal acne safe.

Buffering

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 Hydroxide

When to use

Sk-II Facial Lift Emulsion 29 ingredients

La Mer The Regenerating Serum 108 ingredients

7 Routines
43% use in am
57% use in pm
100% use every day
10 Routines
40% use in am
60% use in pm
80% use every day