Works for
MoisturizingSalicyloyl phytosphingosine, Bifida ferment lysate + 14 moreWorks well
“✓ INSTANT SOOTHING AND HYDRATES*”
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, sodium hyaluronate.
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: dimethicone, caprylyl glycol.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: salicyloyl phytosphingosine
Anti-agingAdenosine, Salicyloyl phytosphingosine + 1 moreWorks well
“Combined with hyaluronic acid and licorice extract with our iconic pre- and probiotic fractions, this formula targets visible redness and fine lines for smoother, more even skin.”
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.
Evens skin toneBifida ferment lysate, Dipotassium glycyrrhizate + 1 moreNot delivered
“Combined with hyaluronic acid and licorice extract with our iconic pre, and probiotic fractions, this formula targets visible redness and fine lines for smoother, more even skin.”
This product contains ingredients (bifida ferment lysate) that could help reduce hyperpigmentation (for example, post-acne marks or age spots) in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.
ExfoliationLactic acid ~0.15–0.5%Under-dosed
This product does not contain effective exfoliating ingredients. It might be able to deliver physical exfoliation, that is scrub off some of the dead cells on the surface of the skin. We do not recommend physical exfoliation, because it is not uniform (some bits of skin can get exfoliated too much while others not at all). It can also traumatize the skin and aggrevate acne and other skin conditions.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Bifida ferment lysate, AdenosineMay help
This product contains antioxidants (bifida ferment lysate) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: ParfumMedium 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%
Bifida ferment lysate~5.7–8.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Consists of remains of dead yeast bacteria cells. Helps to hydrate the skin and reduce irritation. Might has some anti-oxidant effect
More about Bifida ferment lysateGlycerin~3.7–5.6%
- 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 GlycerinPentylene glycol~2.8–4.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolPolymnia sonchifolia root juice~2.1–3.1%
- 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 juiceDimethicone~1.8–2.7%
- 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 DimethiconeAlpha-glucan oligosaccharide~1.5–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Alpha-glucan oligosaccharideSodium carboxymethyl beta-glucan~1.6–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps thicken the product formulation and create a gel-like texture
More about Sodium carboxymethyl beta-glucanSodium hyaluronate~1–1.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateSalicyloyl phytosphingosine~0.55–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Might have anti-aging benefits but solid study data is lacking
More about Salicyloyl phytosphingosineAdenosine~0.45–1.05%
- 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 AdenosineMannose~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurateDipotassium glycyrrhizate~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A salt derived from licorice. Works as an emollient to soften the upper layer of the skin and can help calm down inflammation. Might be helpful for skin lightening
More about Dipotassium glycyrrhizateHydroxyacetophenone~0.2–0.8%
Caprylyl glycol~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolTetrasodium glutamate diacetate~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps stabilize the product formulation
More about Tetrasodium glutamate diacetateCitric acid~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidLactic acid~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
More about Lactic acidLactobacillus~0.1–0.5%
- 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 LactobacillusAcetic acid~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Maltodextrin~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil
More about MaltodextrinXanthan gum~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumFaex extract~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Yeast extract. Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Faex extractOctyldodecanol~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation
More about OctyldodecanolButylene glycol~0.05–0.2%
- 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 glycolSodium benzoate~0.05–0.2%
Parfum~0.01–0.05%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Water, Bifida ferment lysate, Glycerin, Pentylene glycol, Polymnia sonchifolia root juice, Dimethicone, Alpha-glucan oligosaccharide, Sodium carboxymethyl beta-glucan, Sodium hyaluronate, Salicyloyl phytosphingosine, Adenosine, Mannose, Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate, Dipotassium glycyrrhizate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl glycol, Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate, Citric acid, Lactic acid, Lactobacillus, Acetic acid, Maltodextrin, Xanthan gum, Faex extract, Octyldodecanol, Butylene glycol, Sodium benzoate, 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.
| LancômeGÉNIFIQUE ULTIMATE SERUMYOUR PRODUCT | BIOTHERMLIFE PLANKTON ELIXIR ANTI-AGING SERUM | L'Oréal ParisYouth Code Skin Activating Ferment Pre-Essence | Kate SomervilleKx Active Concentrates Squalane + Hyaluronic Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 62% | 50% | 48% |
| Price | $89.00 | — | — | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 7 of 10 | 6 of 10 | 4 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Ascorbyl Glucoside | Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid | Panthenol |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | High | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: numbuzin No.3 Bifida Bakuchiol Zero Pore SerumAvène Hyaluron Activ B3 Concentrated Plumping Serum
Product summary
"Lancôme - GÉNIFIQUE ULTIMATE SERUM" is effective for: Anti-aging and Moisturizing
Ingredient callouts
- Ceramides (salicyloyl phytosphingosine 0.95% - 1.40%). 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 0.55% - 1.30%. 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).
- Humectants (salicyloyl phytosphingosine 0.95% - 1.40% and sodium hyaluronate 1.20% - 1.80%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 15 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Bifidobacterium longumlysate, a new ingredient forreactive skinonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 2Use of Probiotics for Dermal Applicationsresearchgate.net
- 3
- 4
- 5Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 6Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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