Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Anti-aging3 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“MISSHA, MISA Geum Sul Providing smoother, brighter and firmer skin, the MISA Geum Sul Emulsion helps to maintain a youthful complexion with a deeply moisturising formula.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains adenosine, niacinamide.
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.
Moisturizing29 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Reinforces the skin's natural barrier.”
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, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid.
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, jojoba esters.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · 2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: niacinamide
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
Anti-blemishNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimGood support
This product might be able to help reduce blemishes and clogged pores because it contains niacinamide.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Parfum, Salvia miltiorrhiza root extractMedium risk
Comedogenic3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale3 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Saccharomyces/panax ginseng root ferment filtrate~28–34%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glycerin~4.8–5.8%
- 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 GlycerinWater~5.3–6.5%
Nephrite extract~4.2–5.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Macadamia ternifolia seed oil~3.3–4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Plant oil from nuts that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Contains a high concentration of oleic acid that can weaken skin's barrier function and increase water-loss while enhancing penetration of other ingredients
More about Macadamia ternifolia seed oilHydrogenated polydecene~2.4–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Hydrogenated polydeceneCetyl ethylhexanoate~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin and creates a thicker product texture
More about Cetyl ethylhexanoateNiacinamide~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamidePropanediol~1.3–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolHydrogenated vegetable oil~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
An oil from a mixture of different vegetables. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrogenated vegetable oil1,2-hexanediol~0.75–1.15%
Polysorbate 60~0.75–1.15%
Cyclopentasiloxane~0.75–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
More about CyclopentasiloxaneLimnanthes alba seed oil~0.75–1.1%
- 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 oilGlycereth-26~0.65–0.95%
Jojoba esters~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function
More about Jojoba estersDimethicone~0.7–1.05%
- 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 DimethiconeOrbignya oleifera seed oil~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A plant oil that can help soften the upper layer of the skin. Might be helpful in calming down inflammation in skin
More about Orbignya oleifera seed oilButylene glycol~0.5–0.75%
- 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 glycolGlyceryl stearate~0.6–0.9%
- 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 stearateCetearyl alcohol~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholCetearyl olivate~0.5–0.75%
Sorbitan olivate~0.45–0.7%
Sorbitan stearate~0.45–0.7%
Behenyl alcohol~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholPeg-100 stearate~0.5–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateCyclohexasiloxane~0.5–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that serves as an emollient. Helps create a nice non-greasy feels
More about CyclohexasiloxaneDimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize product formulations and create a nice product texture
More about Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymerTocopheryl acetate~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateStearic acid~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidCaprylyl glycol~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolAmmonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Increases thickness of a product. Texture enhancer for oil-in-water emulsions
More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymerParfum~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumPanax ginseng root extract~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might have some anti-inflammatory properties, but solid evidence is lacking. It can be irritating
More about Panax ginseng root extractGanoderma lucidum extract~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Ganoderma lucidum extractVelvet extract~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Palmitic acid~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that is naturally present in skin and helps soften it
More about Palmitic acidEthylhexylglycerin~0.45–0.7%
Pca dimethicone~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Phenoxyethanol~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolBenzophenone-5~0.6–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- High
A UV filter. Typically used to stabilize a product formulation. Can be irritating
More about Benzophenone-5Lecithin~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinPhytosteryl hydroxystearate~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Adenosine~0.45–0.65%
- 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 AdenosineDisodium edta~0.45–0.65%
Coptis japonica root extract~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant properties
More about Coptis japonica root extractHydrolyzed hyaluronic acid~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. A version of it is naturally present in skin
More about Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acidPolyglutamic acid~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin.
More about Polyglutamic acidPhytosterols~0.5–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Lipids that work as an emollient and can be helpful in repairing skin barrier function
More about PhytosterolsAquilaria agallocha stem extract~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Myristic acid~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps oil and water mix together. Could be comedogenic
More about Myristic acidCamellia japonica seed oil~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A plant oil that helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and can help restore skin's barrier function. Might have an anti-oxidant effect
More about Camellia japonica seed oilGold~0.3–0.55%
Carbomer~0.3–0.5%
- 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 CarbomerBacillus ferment~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A product of bacterial fermentation. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Bacillus fermentCodonopsis lanceolata root extract~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Saccharomyces ferment~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A product of yeast fermentation. Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharomyces fermentAspergillus ferment~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An extract from fungus (mold) that typically appears on rice. It can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin, might help neutralize free radicals and possibly somewhat reduce hyperpigmentation
More about Aspergillus fermentAstragalus membranaceus root extract~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Salvia miltiorrhiza root extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic plant root extract with a mint-like smell. Can be irritating. Used as a fragrance. Might have some anti-oxidant effect
More about Salvia miltiorrhiza root extractBifida ferment extract~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Scrophularia buergeriana extract~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sophora angustifolia root extract~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Lactobacillus ferment~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 fermentHydrolyzed codonopsis pilosula root extract~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium hydroxide~0.1–0.2%
Ingredient list view
Saccharomyces/panax ginseng root ferment filtrate, Glycerin, Water, Nephrite extract, Macadamia ternifolia seed oil, Hydrogenated polydecene, Cetyl ethylhexanoate, Niacinamide, Propanediol, Hydrogenated vegetable oil, 1,2-hexanediol, Polysorbate 60, Cyclopentasiloxane, Limnanthes alba seed oil, Glycereth-26, Jojoba esters, Dimethicone, Orbignya oleifera seed oil, Butylene glycol, Glyceryl stearate, Cetearyl alcohol, Cetearyl olivate, Sorbitan olivate, Sorbitan stearate, Behenyl alcohol, Peg-100 stearate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer, Tocopheryl acetate, Stearic acid, Caprylyl glycol, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, Parfum, Panax ginseng root extract, Ganoderma lucidum extract, Velvet extract, Palmitic acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pca dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Benzophenone-5, Lecithin, Phytosteryl hydroxystearate, Adenosine, Disodium edta, Coptis japonica root extract, Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, Polyglutamic acid, Phytosterols, Aquilaria agallocha stem extract, Myristic acid, Camellia japonica seed oil, Gold, Carbomer, Bacillus ferment, Codonopsis lanceolata root extract, Saccharomyces ferment, Aspergillus ferment, Astragalus membranaceus root extract, Salvia miltiorrhiza root extract, Bifida ferment extract, Scrophularia buergeriana extract, Sophora angustifolia root extract, Lactobacillus ferment, Hydrolyzed codonopsis pilosula root extract, Sodium hydroxide
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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.
| MISSHAMISA Geum Sul EmulsionYOUR PRODUCT | HYGGEEAll-In-One Cream | Doctor Rogers RestoreRestore Face Cream | Holika HolikaPrime Youth Black Snail Repair Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 85% | 84% | 83% |
| Price | $27.30 | $25.28−$2.02 | $72.00+$44.70 | $27.44 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 8 of 15 | 4 of 15 | 6 of 15 |
| Key difference | — | Anhydroxylitol | Butyrospermum Parkii Butter | Acetyl Heptapeptide-9 |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"MISSHA - MISA Geum Sul Emulsion" is a well-rounded moisturizing product. This moisturizer uses a good combo of humectants and emollients. These both types of ingredients are essentials for improving the skin hydration and keeping the skin barrier healthy. Humectants in this product (glycerin, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, lactobacillus ferment, polyglutamic acid and butylene 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). Jojoba esters, limnanthes alba seed oil, phytosterols, dimethicone and cetearyl 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
- Adenosine 0.45% - 0.65% in this moisturizer adds an anti-aging benefit. Adenosine 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 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 moisturizer contains some common irritants, including those without 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 22 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Safety Assessment of Polyene Group as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
- 4
- 5
- 6
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