Farsali Unicorn Essence

Farsali Unicorn Essence

Efficacy25/100IrritancyHigh

Works for

Moisturizing
Glycerin, Lactobacillus ferment + 1 more
Works
What the product description says
“The water-based formula is easily absorbed into the skin, maximising the efficacy of the nourishing complex and providing instant hydration.”
Source: Lookfantastic

This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, lactobacillus ferment.

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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).

GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~3.4–5%
Lactobacillus fermentKey active· HumectantEffect: HighA fermentation product created by bacteria Lactobacillus. The fermented product has anti-bacterial properties and might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but studies are lacking. Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Can be used as a preservative~0.15–0.65%
Lycium barbarum fruit extractUnder-dosedA plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin and attract water to its upper layer~0.05–0.25%
Evens skin tone
No ingredient credited for this claim
Not delivered
What the product description says
“Rich in Vitamins A, C and E, the serum helps to brighten the complexion while smoothing the skin and promoting cell turnover for a revitalised effect.”
Source: Lookfantastic

Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low

Anti-aging
Lycium barbarum fruit extract
Not delivered
What the product description says
“The essence helps to minimise the appearance of fine lines and uneven skin tone, while imparting a radiant glow.”
Source: Lookfantastic

Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.

Lycium barbarum fruit extractEffect: Low, below effective doseA plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin and attract water to its upper layer~0.05–0.25%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
4 strong irritants: Limonene, Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil + 2 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 14 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
LimoneneA common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heatHigh~0.2–0.75%est.
Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oilA plant oil with a high content of volatile compounds that can irritate the skin and lead to allergic reactions. Can lead to photosensitivityHigh~0.1–0.45%est.
Citrus paradisi peel oilUsed as a fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.1–0.4%est.
LinaloolA fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.1–0.35%est.
Sambucus nigra fruit extractA plant extract that may contain a small amount of essential oils. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals in skinHigh~0.05–0.2%est.
Euterpe oleracea fruit extractA plant extract that can have some anti-oxidant effect in skinMedium~1.7–2.5%est.
Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerA gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finishMedium~1.4–2.1%est.
EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~0.5–1.15%est.
Polysorbate 60Helps oil and water mix togetherMedium~0.35–0.85%est.
Ci 14700A colorantMedium~0.1–0.3%est.
Ci 17200A red colorantMedium~0.05–0.3%est.
Lycium barbarum fruit extractA plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin and attract water to its upper layerMedium~0.05–0.25%est.
Vaccinium angustifolium fruit extractA plant extract tha can have anti-oxidant properties, but evidence of effectiveness in skin is lackingMedium~0.05–0.15%est.
Ci 42090A colorant (dye)Medium~0.01–0.05%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged

User reviews

Would you recommend?
No community reviews yet.

Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.

Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Propanediol~4.6–7%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin

More about Propanediol
Glycerin~3.4–5%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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 Glycerin
Polysorbate 20~2.4–3.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Polysorbate 20
Phenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Euterpe oleracea fruit extract~1.7–2.5%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidation

A plant extract that can have some anti-oxidant effect in skin

More about Euterpe oleracea fruit extract
Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~1.4–2.1%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish

More about Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer
Tamarindus indica seed polysaccharide~1.2–1.8%
Formula
Mica~1.1–1.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light

More about Mica
Vanillin~0.8–1.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Vanillin
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.5–1.15%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin
Titanium dioxide~0.6–1.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Sun protection

Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin

More about Titanium dioxide
Glyceryl polyacrylate~0.4–0.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Helps to create a nice product texture and spread the product more easily on the skin

More about Glyceryl polyacrylate
Polysorbate 60~0.35–0.85%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Polysorbate 60
Sorbitan isostearate~0.35–0.75%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Sorbitan isostearate
Limonene~0.2–0.75%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat

More about Limonene
Lactobacillus ferment~0.15–0.65%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryAnti-oxidationReduces irritation

A fermentation product created by bacteria Lactobacillus. The fermented product has anti-bacterial properties and might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but studies are lacking. Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Can be used as a preservative

More about Lactobacillus ferment
Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil~0.1–0.45%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A plant oil with a high content of volatile compounds that can irritate the skin and lead to allergic reactions. Can lead to photosensitivity

More about Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil
Citrus paradisi peel oil~0.1–0.4%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Citrus paradisi peel oil
Linalool~0.1–0.35%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Linalool
Ci 14700~0.1–0.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A colorant

More about Ci 14700
Ci 17200~0.05–0.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A red colorant

More about Ci 17200
Lycium barbarum fruit extract~0.05–0.25%
Under-dosedIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidationAnti-agingAnti-inflammatory

A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin and attract water to its upper layer

More about Lycium barbarum fruit extract
Sambucus nigra fruit extract~0.05–0.2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-oxidation

A plant extract that may contain a small amount of essential oils. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals in skin

More about Sambucus nigra fruit extract
Vaccinium angustifolium fruit extract~0.05–0.15%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidation

A plant extract tha can have anti-oxidant properties, but evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking

More about Vaccinium angustifolium fruit extract
Ci 42090~0.01–0.05%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A colorant (dye)

More about Ci 42090
Ingredient list view

Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol, Euterpe oleracea fruit extract, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Tamarindus indica seed polysaccharide, Mica, Vanillin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Titanium dioxide, Glyceryl polyacrylate, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan isostearate, Limonene, Lactobacillus ferment, Citrus aurantium bergamia fruit oil, Citrus paradisi peel oil, Linalool, Ci 14700, Ci 17200, Lycium barbarum fruit extract, Sambucus nigra fruit extract, Vaccinium angustifolium fruit extract, Ci 42090

Compare prices

Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.

🇦🇺 Amazon Australia (AU)
Price unavailable Out of stock
Check

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
FarsaliUnicorn EssenceYOUR PRODUCTFigs & RougeFORTIFY Blue Buffer Anti-Pollution DropsSKIN 1004.Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Intensive AmpouleTHE PURE LOTUSYouth Biotics Lotus Probiotic Concentrate
Match—42%41%41%
Price——$7.43$33.70
Shared key ingredients—2 of 32 of 32 of 3
Key difference—NiacinamideNiacinamideAdenosine
Irritancy High Medium Medium Medium
Drying alcohol————
View product Shop Shop Shop

More alternatives: Lise Watier Age Control Supreme Sublime Advanced Night CreamPSA Skin GOALS Multi Acids & Probiotics Perfecting Night Serum

Cheaper alternatives? Browse formulas in the same category.
We compare ingredient profiles across our catalog — pick the closest match for your budget.
Open dupe finder

Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 15 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
Farsali Unicorn Essence
FarsaliUnicorn Essence

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.