Algenist Genius Ultimate Anti-Aging Cream by Algenist
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Moisturizing18 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Genius Ultimate Anti-Aging Cream by Algenist”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin, butylene glycol.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: butyrospermum parkii butter, caprylic/capric triglyceride.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: ceramide 3
Anti-aging3 ingredients credited for this claimModerate support
“Genius Ultimate Anti-Aging Cream by Algenist”
This product contains lysine. This ingredient might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Retinyl palmitate, Parfum + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~6.5–8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideHydrogenated polyisobutene~4.3–5.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to improve the product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrogenated polyisobuteneGlycerin~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinChlorella protothecoides oil~2.5–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient. Is unlikely to have additional benefits for the skin
More about Chlorella protothecoides oilDimethicone~2.1–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconeButylene glycol~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolGlyceryl stearate~1.5–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearatePeg-100 stearate~1.3–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateButyrospermum parkii butter~1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
More about Butyrospermum parkii butterPentylene glycol~0.75–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolPotassium cetyl phosphate~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Potassium cetyl phosphateAlgae exopolysaccharides~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Sugars produced by sea bacteria that can help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Algae exopolysaccharidesCollagen~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cannot penetrate the skin barrier so is not particularly useful in skincare products
More about CollagenCeramide 3~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of lipid similar to ceramides naturally present in skin. Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and supports the skin barrier function to keep it hydrated. Can help to prevent inflammation in skin
More about Ceramide 3Cynara scolymus leaf extract~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant properties. It might be irritating
More about Cynara scolymus leaf extractRetinyl palmitate~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
More about Retinyl palmitateAstragalus membranaceus root extract~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Atractylodes macrocephala root extract~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Iris florentina root extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Bupleurum falcatum root extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin, but it is not well studied. It can be irritating
More about Bupleurum falcatum root extractMethylglucoside phosphate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Proline~0.25–0.5%
Lysine~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In combination with other amino-acids, might help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
More about LysineStearalkonium bentonite~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerSilica~0.35–0.65%
Caprylyl glycol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolSodium hydroxide~0.25–0.4%
Disodium edta~0.2–0.4%
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.2–0.4%
Cetyl alcohol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholPropylene carbonate~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is used to dissolve other ingredients and create nice product texture
More about Propylene carbonatePhenoxyethanol~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolLeuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A preservative that comes from radishes fermented by a bacteria. New research suggests that the preservation properties in the ingredient come from an ammonium salt that is not present naturally in radish root but used in its cultivation. Is problematic because the exact amount of the preservative agents is difficult to determine
More about Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrateChlorphenesin~0.15–0.25%
Parfum~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumCoumarin~0.05–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Hydrogenated polyisobutene, Glycerin, Chlorella protothecoides oil, Dimethicone, Butylene glycol, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Pentylene glycol, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Algae exopolysaccharides, Unknown, Collagen, Ceramide 3, Cynara scolymus leaf extract, Retinyl palmitate, Astragalus membranaceus root extract, Atractylodes macrocephala root extract, Iris florentina root extract, Bupleurum falcatum root extract, Methylglucoside phosphate, Proline, Lysine, Unknown, Stearalkonium bentonite, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Silica, Caprylyl glycol, Sodium hydroxide, Disodium edta, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cetyl alcohol, Propylene carbonate, Phenoxyethanol, Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, Chlorphenesin, Parfum, Coumarin
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| AlgenistGenius Ultimate Anti-Aging Cream by AlgenistYOUR PRODUCT | CeraVeSkin Renewing Night Cream | First Aid BeautyUltra Repair Cream | dreveryouthVitamin C + Hyaluronic Acid Hydrabright Night Moisturiser | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 63% | 63% | 62% |
| Price | $64.95 | $15.44−$49.51 | $14.00−$50.95 | $21.17−$43.78 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 8 | 5 of 8 | 5 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Colloidal Oatmeal | Urea |
| Irritancy | High | Low | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Based on the ingredients included, "Algenist - Genius Ultimate Anti-Aging Cream by Algenist" works well for moisturizing the skin. The formulation is based on a combination of good humectants and emollients. Both are needed to increase the skin hydration level. Glycerin, butylene glycol and caprylyl glycol in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Emollients in this formulation (ceramide 3, butyrospermum parkii butter, caprylic/capric triglyceride, chlorella protothecoides oil and dimethicone) help to reduce the moisture loss from the skin. They also soften the skin surface and relieve the feeling of dryness and tightness.
Ingredient callouts
- this moisturizer includes a form of Retinoids (vitamin A) - retinyl palmitate 0.40% - 0.60%, but this type of vitamin A is not very effective. It could in theory help with fine lines and wrinkles, but the effect is most likely minimal.
- Another benefit is that this moisturizer contain ceramides (ceramide 3 0.50% - 0.75%). Ceramides are an important part of our natural skin barrier. The Ceramides used in skincare are synthetic or come from plants. They help soften the skin and can help "fill the gaps" in the skin barrier, keeping the skin hydrated and resilient for longer.
Irritation risk
We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 85.00£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 9 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 5
- 6
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