Sk-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion Toner Versus La Mer The Resurfacing Treatment
Overview
Cool Features
They both contain AHA, BHA and hyaluronic acid
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
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
Sk-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion Toner 16 ingredients
La Mer The Resurfacing Treatment 63 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Sk-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion Toner 16 ingredients
La Mer The Resurfacing Treatment 63 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Yeast Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Propanediol
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Algae Extract
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 ConditioningSigesbeckia Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningTrametes Versicolor Extract
Castanea Sativa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Rice Extract
Skin ConditioningPisum Sativum Extract
Skin ConditioningBambusa Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningLaminaria Digitata Extract
Skin ProtectingPrunus Mume Fruit Extract
HumectantLaminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingEugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract
AstringentThermus Thermophillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningCaffeine
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Camphor
Masking
Menthyl Lactate
MaskingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLecithin
EmollientPPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingPoloxamer 407
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Eugenol
Perfuming
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Tartaric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlucosamine Hcl
Phytic Acid
Disodium EDTA
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caramel
Cosmetic ColorantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Alcohol Denat., Yeast Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Glycolic Acid, Propanediol, Glycerin, Sodium Citrate, Butylene Glycol, Gluconolactone, Algae Extract, 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, Sigesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Trametes Versicolor Extract, Castanea Sativa Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Extract, Pisum Sativum Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract, Thermus Thermophillus Ferment, Caffeine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Camphor, Menthyl Lactate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lecithin, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Poloxamer 407, Polysorbate 20, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Eugenol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Tartaric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Glucosamine Hcl, Phytic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, 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.
Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20Glycerin 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 GlycerinSodium 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 HyaluronateDisodium 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 EDTASalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.
This multitasking property makes it a great ingredient for cleaning out pores, controlling oil production, and reducing inflammation.
Unlike AHAs which are water soluble, Salicylic Acid is oil soluble. This means that it's able to exfoliate the inside of pores and reduce blackheads.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing a Salicylic Acid into your routine.
In general, Salicylic Acid is a great ingredient for oily acne-prone skin.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun-sensitivity, we still recommend wearing SPF.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidLactic Acid is an AHA that is derived from fermenting lactose, a carbohydrate from milk. It removes the top layer of old and dead skin cells and helps increase cell turnover.
Benefits of Lactic Acid are that it can help to reduce large pores and reduce the effects of aging. Some potential downsides are that it can be bad for dry skin, cause irritation, worsen eczema, and worsen rosacea.
Not only does it help exfoliate the skin, it helps strengthen the skin's barrier. When applied, lactic acid helps the skin create ceramides.
Lactic acid is an over-the-counter chemical exfoliant that comes from the fermentation of lactose — a carbohydrate found in milk.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Sk-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion Toner 16 ingredients
La Mer The Resurfacing Treatment 63 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Sk-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion Toner 16 ingredients
I wanted to love this because it brightened and softened part of my skin. But this ended up breaking me out with large cystic acne. Disappeared when i stopped using.
Japanese hidden treasure. Be consistent and patient then u will notice a wonderful results. Minimized pores and gave me brighter skin. Light weight and kept my skin balanced
