Algenist GENIUS Ultimate Anti-Aging Emulsion
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
MoisturizingCeramide 3, Glycerin + 14 moreStrong evidence
“The rich-hydration lotion moisturizes and plumps skin. Size 100 ml, 3.3 fl oz.”
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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, dimethicone.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: ceramide 3
Anti-agingAdenosine, Butyrospermum parkii butterStrong evidence
“GENIUS Ultimate Anti-Aging Emulsion”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains adenosine.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: ParfumMedium risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
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Ingredients
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Water~45–55%
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~6.6–8.1%
- 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~4.5–5.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to improve the product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrogenated polyisobuteneDimethicone~3.3–4%
- 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 DimethiconeGlycerin~2.5–3%
- 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 GlycerinC10-18 triglycerides~2–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the skin and attract water to its upper layer. Helps create nice product texture
More about C10-18 triglyceridesButylene 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 glycolPentylene glycol~1.5–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolAlgae oligosaccharides~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Silica~1.3–1.6%
Astragalus membranaceus root extract~0.75–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Atractylodes macrocephala root extract~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Bupleurum falcatum root extract~0.5–0.75%
- 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 extractButyrospermum parkii butter~0.55–0.8%
- 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 butterGlyceryl stearate~0.5–0.75%
- 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 stearatePotassium cetyl phosphate~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Potassium cetyl phosphateCynara scolymus leaf extract~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant properties. It might be irritating
More about Cynara scolymus leaf extractCollagen~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cannot penetrate the skin barrier so is not particularly useful in skincare products
More about CollagenIris florentina root extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ceramide 3~0.35–0.6%
- 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 3Adenosine~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might help improve cell turnover and reduce inflammation in skin. One study shows that the ingredients might be able to help reduce dynamic wrinkles (for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead)
More about AdenosineLeuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate~0.3–0.55%
- 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 filtrateEthylhexylglycerin~0.25–0.5%
Propylene carbonate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is used to dissolve other ingredients and create nice product texture
More about Propylene carbonatePeg-100 stearate~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateXanthan gum~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumDisodium edta~0.25–0.45%
Stearalkonium bentonite~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cetyl alcohol~0.3–0.5%
- 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 alcoholAcrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.2–0.35%
- 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 crosspolymerSodium hydroxide~0.2–0.35%
Caprylyl glycol~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolChlorphenesin~0.15–0.25%
Phenoxyethanol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolParfum~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Water, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Hydrogenated polyisobutene, Dimethicone, Glycerin, C10-18 triglycerides, Butylene glycol, Pentylene glycol, Algae oligosaccharides, Silica, Astragalus membranaceus root extract, Atractylodes macrocephala root extract, Bupleurum falcatum root extract, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Glyceryl stearate, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Cynara scolymus leaf extract, Collagen, Iris florentina root extract, Ceramide 3, Adenosine, Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propylene carbonate, Peg-100 stearate, Xanthan gum, Disodium edta, Stearalkonium bentonite, Cetyl alcohol, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Sodium hydroxide, Caprylyl glycol, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
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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 EmulsionYOUR PRODUCT | COSRXHoney Ceramide Full Moisture Cream | AMPLE:NHyaluron Shot Emulsion | Serendi BeautyLa-bloom Vital Repair Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 59% | 58% | 57% |
| Price | — | $19.66 | $12.80 | $74.42 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 6 | 5 of 6 | 5 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Betaine | Ceramide 1 | Oligopeptide-1 |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
Based on the ingredients included, "Algenist - GENIUS Ultimate Anti-Aging Emulsion" 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. Humectants in this product (glycerin, butylene glycol and caprylyl glycol) help to increase the water content in the upper layer of the skin. (These ingredients do so by "capturing" water molecules from the outside air or from within the deeper layers of the skin). Ceramide 3, caprylic/capric triglyceride, dimethicone, c10-18 triglycerides and cetyl alcohol in this product help decrease the water evoporation from the skin, so that it stays hydrated for longer. These ingredients also soften the skin and take away the feeling of tightness and dryness.
Ingredient callouts
- As a plus, this moisturizer also contains Ceramides (ceramide 3 0.35% - 0.60%). Ceramides are a type of lipids that our skin produces itself. They are a building block of the skin's barrier. Ceramides used in skincare are synthetic or extracted from plants. They work well for softening the skin surface and "patch holes" in the skin's barrier.
- Adenosine 0.30% - 0.55%. It is a compound that in involved in many biological processes inside the skin cells. According one high-quality clinical trial, topical Adenosine in low concentrations can somewhat help improve "deep wrinkles" - the wrinkles that appear with age in places where our faces are most dynamic (for example, on the forehead or in the corners of the eyes).
Irritation risk
This formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be medium. 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.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 6 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 4
- 5
- 6
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