Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Moisturizing
- Anti-aging
- Anti-oxidation
Doesn't work for:
based on ingredients and %- Evens skin tone
Can it cause trouble?
- Irritation risk: high
- Comedogenic risk ingredients: 0
Key actives
Product Summary
Based on the ingredients included, "L'Oréal Paris - Youth Code Skin Activating Ferment Pre-Essence" works well for moisturizing the skin. As we expect from a proper moisturizer, the formula includes a combo of effective humectants and emollients. These are the two different types of ingredients that are essential for improving the skin hydration and supporting a healthy skin barrier. Humectants in this product (salicyloyl phytosphingosine, glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, hydrolyzed soy protein 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). Emollients in this formulation (dimethicone, caprylyl glycol and octyldodecanol) 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
- Another benefit is that this moisturizer contain ceramides (salicyloyl phytosphingosine 0.30% - 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.
- Adenosine 0.20% - 0.70% in this product adds an anti-aging property to it. Adenosine is a chemical present inside our skin cells. A clinical trial confirmed that topical application of adenosine in a low concentration reduce dynamic wrinkles (these are the wrinkles that appear with age in a places where we our mimic is the most active, for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead).
Irritation risk
There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits for the skin. 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 41.24A$ in Australia.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Anti-aging
What does the product description say?
Skin gets dryer and fine lines become visible.
Source: Lookfantastic Australia
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.
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)
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Might have anti-aging benefits but solid study data is lacking
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
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
Youth Code Skin Activating Ferment Pre-Essence
Source: From product name
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
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
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Might have anti-aging benefits but solid study data is lacking
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
Consists of remains of dead yeast bacteria cells. Helps to hydrate the skin and reduce irritation. Might has some anti-oxidant effect
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Might have some anti-aging, anti-oxidant, and skin lightening properties, but solid evidence is missing
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)
A fruit extract that might help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin, but there is no evidence for any other benefits to the skin
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
Helps dissolve other ingredients and attract water to the upper layer of the skin
An emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation
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
Anti-oxidation
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.
Consists of remains of dead yeast bacteria cells. Helps to hydrate the skin and reduce irritation. Might has some anti-oxidant effect
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)
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Might have some anti-aging, anti-oxidant, and skin lightening properties, but solid evidence is missing
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
Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
L'Oréal Paris Youth Code Skin Activating Ferment Pre-Essence Serum strengthens the skin's barrier and enhances cell renewal to improve the overall quality of the skin for a radiant, youthful complexion.
Source: Lookfantastic Australia
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.
Consists of remains of dead yeast bacteria cells. Helps to hydrate the skin and reduce irritation. Might has some anti-oxidant effect
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Might have some anti-aging, anti-oxidant, and skin lightening properties, but solid evidence is missing
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Anti-aging | |
| Moisturizing | |
| Evens skin tone |
Total Promises Fulfilled score: 83/100.
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Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
No comedogenic ingredients detected
User reviews (0)
Averages from community submissions.
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| Product | Similarity | Price | Irritancy |
|---|---|---|---|
 L'Oréal Paris Youth Code Skin Activating Ferment Pre-Essence | Current | $41.24 | |
 Lancôme Advanced Genefique Repairing Night Cream | 56% | $70.00 | |
 Vichy Neovadiol Perimenopause Plumping Day Cream for Dry Skin | 50% | $25.60 |
Key Actives
Consists of remains of dead yeast bacteria cells. Helps to hydrate the skin and reduce irritation. Might has some anti-oxidant effect
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)
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
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Might have anti-aging benefits but solid study data is lacking
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
Used to regulate product's pH, but can be also used as an exfoliator when included in higher concentrations. There is a controversy about whether it can generate free radicals and induce skin cell damage when used in topical products
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
Potential irritants
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
An enzyme extracted from papaya fruit. Can have an exfoliating effect on the skin. Can be irritating
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
Used to regulate product's pH, but can be also used as an exfoliator when included in higher concentrations. There is a controversy about whether it can generate free radicals and induce skin cell damage when used in topical products
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
A fruit extract that might help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin, but there is no evidence for any other benefits to the skin
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
Used to dissolve other ingredients and to improve smell of products. It could be irritating
Comedogenic ingredients
We couldn't find any comedogenic ingredients in this product
All ingredients
Consists of remains of dead yeast bacteria cells. Helps to hydrate the skin and reduce irritation. Might has some anti-oxidant effect
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
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
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
Used to regulate product's pH, but can be also used as an exfoliator when included in higher concentrations. There is a controversy about whether it can generate free radicals and induce skin cell damage when used in topical products
Helps dissolve other ingredients and attract water to the upper layer of the skin
An enzyme extracted from papaya fruit. Can have an exfoliating effect on the skin. Can be irritating
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Might have anti-aging benefits but solid study data is lacking
A fruit extract that might help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin, but there is no evidence for any other benefits to the skin
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)
Used to create a thicker product consistency
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Might have some anti-aging, anti-oxidant, and skin lightening properties, but solid evidence is missing
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
Used to dissolve other ingredients and to improve smell of products. It could be irritating
An emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation
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
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
Ingredient list view
Water, Bifida ferment lysate, Glycerin, Alcohol, Dimethicone, Hydroxyethylpiperazine ethane sulfonic acid, Peg-20 methyl glucose sesquistearate, Peg-32, Papain, Triethanolamine, Sodium hyaluronate, Salicyloyl phytosphingosine, Ananas sativus fruit extract, Adenosine, Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate, Disodium edta, Propanediol, Hydrolyzed soy protein, Caprylyl glycol, Citric acid, Xanthan gum, Oxothiazolidinecarboxylic acid, T-butyl alcohol, Octyldodecanol, Tocopherol, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Limonene
- Bifidobacterium longumlysate, a new ingredient forreactive skin
- Use of Probiotics for Dermal Applications
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
- Dimethicone as a protective ingredient in topical medications
- Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyol
- Oxidative DNA damage induced by HEPES (2-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethanesulfonic acid) buffer in the presence of Au(III)
- Safety Evaluation of Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Compounds for Cosmetic Use
- Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging
- Hyaluronan (Hyaluronic Acid): a natural moisturizer for skin care
- Phytosphingosine Derivatives Ameliorate Skin Inflammation by Inhibiting NF-κB and JAK/STAT Signaling in Keratincoytes and Mice
- Salicyloyl-phytosphingosine: a novel agent for the repair of photoaged skin
- Evaluation of anti-wrinkle efficacy of adenosine-containing products using the FOITS technique
- Safety Assessment of Acryloyldimethyltaurate Polymers as Used in Cosmetics
- Extracts from Glycine max (soybean) induce elastin synthesis and inhibit elastase activity
- Dermatological and cosmeceutical benefits of Glycine max (soybean) and its active components
- Safety Assessment of Soy Peptides as Used in Cosmetics
- Amended final report of the safety assessment of t-Butyl Alcohol as used in cosmetics
- Vitamin E in dermatology
- Vitamin E and Skin Health