The Crème Shop But First, Water - Replenishing Essence Serum
Works for
MoisturizingGlycerin, Glucose + 13 moreWorks
“Supplemented with moisturizing hyaluronic acid , anti-inflammatory Jeju tangerine , skin-smoothing glycerin , and calming vitamin E for unparalleled nourishment .”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, sodium hyaluronate.
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).
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract + 5 moreMay help
This product contains antioxidants (camellia sinensis leaf extract) 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?
Irritancy6 strong irritants: Citrus limon fruit oil, Aniba rosaeodora wood oil + 4 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Camellia sinensis leaf extract~22–34%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractGlycerin~3.3–4.9%
- 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 GlycerinDicaprylyl carbonate~4.4–6.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonateHydrogenated polyisobutene~3.8–5.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to improve the product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrogenated polyisobuteneC14-22 alcohols~2.6–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that helps stabilize product formulations
More about C14-22 alcoholsC12-20 alkyl glucoside~2–3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about C12-20 alkyl glucosideWater~1.5–2.3%
Glucose~1.3–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Could be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function
More about GlucosePropanediol~1.1–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolCyclopentasiloxane~1–1.5%
- 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 CyclopentasiloxaneCyclohexasiloxane~0.8–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that serves as an emollient. Helps create a nice non-greasy feels
More about CyclohexasiloxaneSea water~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Dissolves other ingredients. It does not have additional skin benefits compared to plain water
More about Sea waterHydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.4–1%
- 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 copolymerCetyl alcohol~0.5–1.15%
- 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 alcohol1,2-hexanediol~0.35–0.8%
Caprylyl glycol~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolAmmonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Increases thickness of a product. Texture enhancer for oil-in-water emulsions
More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymerCitrus limon fruit oil~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Aniba rosaeodora wood oil~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.65%
Disodium edta~0.15–0.6%
3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Can help neutralize free radicals and help reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
More about 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acidSodium hyaluronate~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateTocopheryl acetate~0.15–0.55%
- 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 acetateUndaria pinnatifida extract~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A seaweed extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have an anti-oxidant effect
More about Undaria pinnatifida extractLaminaria japonica extract~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Seaweed extract that might help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and have some anti-oxidant properties
More about Laminaria japonica extractHizikia fusiforme extract~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Butylene glycol~0.15–0.55%
- 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 glycolGlycyrrhiza glabra root extract~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that can help lighten the skin and calm down inflammation. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals
More about Glycyrrhiza glabra root extractCimicifuga racemosa root extract~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Polygonum multiflorum root extract~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sesamum indicum seed extract~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Plant oil that due to its high content of linoleic acid can help support skin's barrier function improving its hydration
More about Sesamum indicum seed extractPhellinus linteus extract~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Angelica gigas root extract~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Morus alba bark extract~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might have anti-oxidant properties and help even out skin tone, but solid evidence is lacking
More about Morus alba bark extractPaeonia albiflora root extract~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sophora angustifolia root extract~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Scutellaria baicalensis root extract~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might contain a compound baicalin that could be helpful in neutralizing free radicals and reducing inflammation in skin. The baicalin concentration in skincare products is often too low for an effective action. Can be used for its fragrant properties
More about Scutellaria baicalensis root extractLavandula angustifolia extract~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used for fragrance and contains volatile compounds that can irritate the skin
More about Lavandula angustifolia extractRosmarinus officinalis extract~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Origanum vulgare flower/leaf/stem extract~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Thymus vulgaris extract~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Ingredient list view
Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Hydrogenated polyisobutene, C14-22 alcohols, C12-20 alkyl glucoside, Water, Glucose, Propanediol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Sea water, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Cetyl alcohol, 1,2-hexanediol, Caprylyl glycol, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, Citrus limon fruit oil, Aniba rosaeodora wood oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium edta, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Sodium hyaluronate, Tocopheryl acetate, Undaria pinnatifida extract, Laminaria japonica extract, Hizikia fusiforme extract, Butylene glycol, Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, Cimicifuga racemosa root extract, Polygonum multiflorum root extract, Sesamum indicum seed extract, Phellinus linteus extract, Angelica gigas root extract, Morus alba bark extract, Paeonia albiflora root extract, Sophora angustifolia root extract, Scutellaria baicalensis root extract, Lavandula angustifolia extract, Rosmarinus officinalis extract, Origanum vulgare flower/leaf/stem extract, Thymus vulgaris extract
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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.
| The Crème ShopBut First, Water - Replenishing Essence SerumYOUR PRODUCT | ThalionAlgolit Firming Glow Serum | Jin Jung sungOmega Vegan Vita Serum | DermadoctorKakadu C 1% Retinol + 12% C, Ferulic Acid & E Complex | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 58% | 58% | 58% |
| Price | — | — | $31.40 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 8 | 4 of 8 | 3 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Panthenol | Niacinamide | Retinol |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Bliss Bright Idea Vitamin C + Tri-Peptide Collagen Protecting & Brightening SerumNourishMax TRIPLE VITAMIN C SERUM
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 16 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Safety Assessment of Decyl Glucoside and Other Alkyl Glucosides as Used in Cosmeticsciteseerx.ist.psu.edu
- 5
- 6
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