GUERLAIN Super Aqua Emulsion Universal
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Anti-aging3 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“This emulsion is a concentrate of technology that lastingly hydrates the skin, offering protection against and correction of the first visible signs of ageing.”
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.
Moisturizing20 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
“This emulsion is a concentrate of technology that lastingly hydrates the skin, offering protection against and correction of the first visible signs of ageing.”
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, inositol.
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, jojoba esters.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Alcohol, Parfum + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Glycerin~3.8–5.7%
- 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 GlycerinCaprylic/capric triglyceride~3.6–5.3%
- 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 triglyceridePropanediol~2.5–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolAlcohol~2–3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties
More about AlcoholPolyglyceryl-10 myristate~1.6–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Limnanthes alba seed oil~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
This oil's cmposition is closest to rapeseed oil. It is a very stable oil and serves as an emoillient
More about Limnanthes alba seed oilC9-12 alkane~1.2–1.8%
Cellulose~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can be used to help absorb oil as well as add volume and imporve texture of products.
More about CellulosePolyglycerin-3~0.55–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Polyglycerin-3Cetyl alcohol~0.45–1.1%
- 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 alcoholStearyl alcohol~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Stearyl alcoholJojoba esters~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function
More about Jojoba estersAlpha-glucan oligosaccharide~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Alpha-glucan oligosaccharidePentylene glycol~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolSodium stearoyl glutamate~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl glutamateParfum~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumChlorphenesin~0.16–0.32%
Xanthan gum~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gum1,2-hexanediol~0.1–0.35%
Caprylyl glycol~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolCoco-caprylate/caprate~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture
More about Coco-caprylate/caprateAcrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.05–0.25%
- 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 crosspolymerInositol~0.05–0.25%
Sodium hyaluronate~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateButylene glycol~0.05–0.25%
- 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 glycolCarbomer~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerPinus pentaphylla seed oil~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Polymnia sonchifolia root juice~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant properties
More about Polymnia sonchifolia root juiceCitric acid~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidSodium hydroxide~0.05–0.2%
Malva sylvestris extract~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Maltodextrin~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil
More about MaltodextrinAdenosine~0.05–0.25%
- 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 AdenosineHydrolyzed viola tricolor extract~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Might have some moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties. Can be added to products to create a nice smell.
More about Hydrolyzed viola tricolor extractTocopherol~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolPotassium sorbate~0.05–0.15%
Lactobacillus~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-living ingredient made by fermentation with the bacteria Lactobacillus. It can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might help reduce inflammation
More about LactobacillusAlteromonas ferment extract~0.01–0.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A marine extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. It is claimed to have anti-inflammatory properties but research is lacking
More about Alteromonas ferment extractRosa canina fruit oil~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A great emollient. Contains vitamin E (tocopherol) which may give it some anti-oxidant properties. Can contain volatile compounds and can be irritating
More about Rosa canina fruit oilIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Propanediol, Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-10 myristate, Limnanthes alba seed oil, C9-12 alkane, Cellulose, Polyglycerin-3, Cetyl alcohol, Stearyl alcohol, Jojoba esters, Alpha-glucan oligosaccharide, Pentylene glycol, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Parfum, Chlorphenesin, Xanthan gum, 1,2-hexanediol, Caprylyl glycol, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Inositol, Sodium hyaluronate, Butylene glycol, Carbomer, Pinus pentaphylla seed oil, Polymnia sonchifolia root juice, Citric acid, Sodium hydroxide, Malva sylvestris extract, Maltodextrin, Adenosine, Hydrolyzed viola tricolor extract, Tocopherol, Potassium sorbate, Lactobacillus, Alteromonas ferment extract, Rosa canina fruit oil
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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.
| GUERLAINSuper Aqua Emulsion UniversalYOUR PRODUCT | GoodalBlack Carrot Vita-A Retinol Cream 50ml | SCINICProbiotics Barrier Cream | BANOBAGIMilk Thistle Repair Lotion | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 59% | 59% | 59% |
| Price | $115.94 | $52.22−$63.72 | $22.10−$93.84 | $21.42−$94.52 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 7 of 11 | 6 of 11 | 4 of 11 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Niacinamide | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Low |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 8 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Safety Assessment of Alkyl Esters as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
- 4Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5
- 6
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