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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum Mist versus La Mer Genaissance de la Mer The Serum Essence .

Published on April 30, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 4 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin

Free From

They both do not contain any parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances and oils

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Serum South Korean Brand South Korea
Serum American Brand United States

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Price

Shop

Buy First Care Activating Serum Mist

Starts at $3.71
Shop

Buy Genaissance de la Mer The Serum Essence

Starts at $197.50

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation
Scar Healing

Concerns

Drying
Acne Trigger
Rosacea (2)
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Exfoliators (2)
Hyaluronic Acid
Peptides (2)

Benefits

Hydrating (5)
Redness Reducing (2)
Skin Texture (2)
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots (2)
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin (3)
Acne Trigger
Irritating
Rosacea (3)
Eczema (3)
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Algae ExtractDimethiconeIsododecanePolysilicone-11GlycerinButylene GlycolCaprylic/Capric TriglyceridePeg-10 DimethiconeCoco-Caprylate/CaprateSesamum Indicum Seed OilMedicago Sativa Seed PowderHelianthus Annuus SeedcakePrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed MealEucalyptus Globulus Leaf OilSodium GluconateCopper GluconateCalcium GluconateGlycineZinc GluconateTocopheryl Succinate NiacinSesamum Indicum Seed PowderWaterPropanediolHypnea Musciformis ExtractGelidiella Acerosa ExtractPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed ExtractWhey ProteinCaffeineAcetyl GlucosaminePisum Sativum ExtractHelichrysum Arenarium ExtractPolygonum Cuspidatum Root ExtractBambusa Vulgaris ExtractCentaurium Erythraea ExtractBis-Peg-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl SilaneLaminaria Digitata ExtractCitrus Aurantifolia Peel ExtractCoffea Arabica Seed ExtractRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf ExtractTriticum Vulgare Germ ExtractRubus Idaeus Leaf ExtractCorallina Officinalis ExtractSucroseLimnanthes Alba Seed OilSigesbeckia Orientalis ExtractCrithmum Maritimum ExtractGlycine Soja Seed ExtractJania Rubens ExtractPeg-8Hordeum Vulgare ExtractMolasses ExtractChlorella Vulgaris ExtractTocopheryl AcetateLaminaria Saccharina ExtractMicrococcus LysateSaccharomyces Lysate ExtractCaprylic/Capric/Myristic/Stearic TriglyceridePalmaria Palmata ExtractPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12Polyglyceryl-10 LaurateHydrolyzed Wheat ProteinPolysorbate 20Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp CopolymerSodium PCAUreaHydrogenated PolyisobuteneAcrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate CopolymerGlyceryl PolymethacrylateSodium HyaluronateGlycosaminoglycansParfumIsohexadecanePentylene GlycolAscorbyl TetraisopalmitateTetraacetylphytosphingosineDipalmitoyl HydroxyprolineVinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane CrosspolymerSqualaneHydrogenated Vegetable OilRuby PowderAcetyl Hexapeptide-8Hydrolyzed Rice ExtractTourmalineHydrolyzed AlginPotassium SorbateCI 77480Glucosamine HclCaprylyl GlycolYeast PolysaccharidesPolysorbate 80TrehalosePolyquaternium-51Hexylene GlycolYeast ExtractCholesterolZea Mays Kernel ExtractGlycyrrhetinic AcidHydroxypropyl CyclodextrinLecithinMaltodextrinAlcohol Denat.Xanthan GumPolymethylsilsesquioxaneTrimethylsiloxysilicateDisodium EDTABHAPhenoxyethanolChlorphenesinHydroxycitronellalCitronellolGeraniolLinaloolLimoneneCaramelCI 14700

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

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.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum Mist contains this as ingredient number 2.

La Mer Genaissance de la Mer The Serum Essence contains this as ingredient number 6.

2
What it does: Masking, Perfuming
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give aroma to products. Parfum, or fragrance, 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.

In the US, the alternative name for parfum is 'fragrance'. The term '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. One example is Calendula flower extract. Essential oil ingredients still impart a scent or 'fragrance'.

Depending on the blend, it can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.

Products use parfum often to give products a scent or cover up smells of different ingredients.

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 Parfum

Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum Mist contains this as ingredient number 6.

La Mer Genaissance de la Mer The Serum Essence contains this as ingredient number 72.

3
What it does: Perfuming, Solvent
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Limonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.

It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".

Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.

When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.

The term '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.

Learn more about Limonene

Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum Mist contains this as ingredient number 9.

La Mer Genaissance de la Mer The Serum Essence contains this as ingredient number 114.

4
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

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

Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum Mist contains this as ingredient number 10.

La Mer Genaissance de la Mer The Serum Essence contains this as ingredient number 106.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

29% are loved or liked
21% have mixed ratings
36% are disliked or very disliked
14% have no rating yet
30% are loved or liked
11% have mixed ratings
34% are disliked or very disliked
25% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 4 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum Mist.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 18 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to La Mer Genaissance de la Mer The Serum Essence.

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