SK-II GenOptics Aura Essence vs innisfree Black Tea Youth Enhancing Treatment Essence

SK-II

GenOptics Aura Essence

innisfree

Black Tea Youth Enhancing Treatment Essence

An essence built around Niacinamide and Panthenol, for hydration and barrier repair.

An essence built around Niacinamide and Hyaluronic acid, for hydration and barrier repair.

Essence

41 ingredients

29 ingredients

Brand price

Not recorded · brand's site

Brand price

USD 46.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

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Brand from Japan

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At a Glance

They come out differently on Fragrance-free, EU-allergen-free, Paraben-free, Silicone-free, Pore-clogger-free and Cruelty-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Key Ingredients

Mineral sunscreen1
Uses zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to absorb and scatter UV rays.
Titanium Dioxide
Sunscreen1
Any ingredient acting as a UV filter.
Titanium Dioxide
Vitamin E1
Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.
Tocopherol
Vitamin C derivative (stable)1
Stable derivatives of ascorbic acid.
Ascorbyl Glucoside

Vitamin C derivative (stable)1
Stable derivatives of ascorbic acid.
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Centella asiatica (Cica)1
Centella asiatica (cica), used to calm irritation.
Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Hyaluronic acid1
Hyaluronic acid and its salts; a humectant that binds water to the skin.
Hyaluronic Acid
Niacinamide1
Vitamin B3 — supports the barrier and evens tone.
Niacinamide

Benefits

Hydrating8
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Glycerin, Inositol, Panthenol, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair7
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
C13-14 Isoparaffin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Hexyldecanol, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Tocopherol
Reduces Irritation1
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Panthenol
Redness Reducing1
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Niacinamide

Hydrating10
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Acetyl Heptapeptide-4, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Butylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ectoin, Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, Mannitol, Propanediol
Barrier Repair4
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin, Niacinamide
Reduces Irritation2
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Redness Reducing2
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Centella Asiatica Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Niacinamide

Concerns

May Trigger Acne1
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis6
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hexyldecanol, Laureth-7, PEG-20 Sorbitan Cocoate, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Tocopherol
May Worsen Irritation7
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Benzyl Alcohol, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool, Parfum, Tocopherol

May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis4
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acetyl Heptapeptide-4, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Acetyl Octapeptide-3, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-11

Ingredients Side-by-side

Show highlights for:

Aqua
Solvent
0 / —
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
0 / —
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Butylene Glycol (in both products)
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating
Triethylhexanoin
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
0-1 / —
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Nylon-12
Viscosity Controlling
0-1 / —
Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Opacifying
0-1 / —
- Silicones

Water
Skin Conditioning
Propanediol
Viscosity Controlling
0-1 / —
- Hydrating
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
- Anti-Pollution
- Antioxidant
- Reduces Irritation
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
- Anti-Aging
- Firming
Dextrin
Viscosity Controlling
0-1 / —
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
0 / —
- Hydrating

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Niacinamide
Smoothing
Niacinamide is niacinamide.
Learn more about Niacinamide →
Butylene Glycol
Fragrance, Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Butane-1,3-diol (CAS No. 107-88-0/ EC No. 203-529-7) (R)-(-)-butane-1,3-diol” (CAS No. 6290-03-5/ EC No. 228-532-0)
Learn more about Butylene Glycol →
Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care, Perfuming, Humectant, Skin Protecting, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Glycerin may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Glycerin →
Disodium EDTA
Chelating, Viscosity Controlling
Disodium dihydrogen ethylenediaminetetraacetate
Learn more about Disodium EDTA →