Yves Saint Laurent YSL Beauty Pure Shots Y Shape Serum
Works for
MoisturizingAcetyl tetrapeptide-9, Glycerin + 11 moreWorks well
“Skin seems well moisturised.”
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).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: acetyl tetrapeptide-9
ExfoliationSide benefit · Salicylic acidWorks well
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: salicylic acid.
Anti-agingSide benefit · Adenosine, Acetyl tetrapeptide-9 + 1 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains adenosine.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: acetyl tetrapeptide-9.
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.
Anti-blemishSide benefit · Salicylic acidWorks well
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: salicylic acid. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Benzyl salicylate, ParfumMedium risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Butylene glycol~6.7–8.2%
- 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 glycolGlycerin~4.2–5.1%
- 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 GlycerinBis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane~3.1–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silaneMethyl gluceth-10~2.3–2.8%
Polyglyceryl-5 laurate~2–2.4%
Ppg-6-decyltetradeceth-30~1.7–2.1%
Isopropyl lauroyl sarcosinate~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Isopropyl lauroyl sarcosinateEthylhexyl palmitate~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Ethylhexyl palmitateChlorphenesin~0.16–0.32%
Phenoxyethanol~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolSodium methyl stearoyl taurate~0.95–1.15%
Salicylic acid~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
More about Salicylic acidXanthan gum~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumAcetyl trifluoromethylphenyl valylglycine~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Pentylene glycol~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolSodium hyaluronate~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateTetrasodium glutamate diacetate~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps stabilize the product formulation
More about Tetrasodium glutamate diacetateFaex extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Yeast extract. Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Faex extractYeast extract~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant and skin lightening properties. It can help calm down inflammation in skin
More about Yeast extractAdenosine~0.25–0.5%
- 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 opuntia ficus-indica flower extract~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract. Can help attract water the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant properties
More about Hydrolyzed opuntia ficus-indica flower extractSodium hydroxide~0.2–0.4%
Benzyl salicylate~0.2–0.35%
Benzyl alcohol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholTocopherol~0.2–0.35%
- 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 TocopherolEthylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.3%
Sodium chloride~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideHydrolyzed rhodophyceae extract~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Acetyl tetrapeptide-9~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Acetyl tetrapeptide-9Parfum~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Water, Butylene glycol, Glycerin, Bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane, Methyl gluceth-10, Polyglyceryl-5 laurate, Ppg-6-decyltetradeceth-30, Isopropyl lauroyl sarcosinate, Ethylhexyl palmitate, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium methyl stearoyl taurate, Salicylic acid, Xanthan gum, Acetyl trifluoromethylphenyl valylglycine, Pentylene glycol, Sodium hyaluronate, Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate, Faex extract, Yeast extract, Adenosine, Hydrolyzed opuntia ficus-indica flower extract, Sodium hydroxide, Benzyl salicylate, Benzyl alcohol, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium chloride, Hydrolyzed rhodophyceae extract, Acetyl tetrapeptide-9, 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.
| Yves Saint LaurentYSL Beauty Pure Shots Y Shape SerumYOUR PRODUCT | innisfreeGentle Retinol Salicylic Acne Serum | La Roche-PosayVitamin C12 Oil Control Serum For Oily Skin | Dr Dennis GrossAdvanced Retinol + Ferulic Texture Renewal Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 78% | 77% | 77% |
| Price | — | $34.00 | $44.99 | $20.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 8 | 4 of 8 | 4 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Retinol | Vitamin C | Retinol |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Stemology Cell Revive Complete Face and Neck Serum with SRC-7SkinCeuticals P-TIOX
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 12 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Beta Hydroxy Acidsfda.gov
- 4A review of toxicity from topical salicylic acid preparationssciencedirect.com
- 5
- 6Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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