Review and Comparison. Serums: Elizabeth Arden Superstart vs Shiseido Ultimune vs L'Oreal Revitalift

 

How to read ingredient lists:

Excellent (very beneficial ingredients, proven research)

Good (moderately beneficial ingredients, not extensive research available or just not quite outstanding properties)

OK (mostly thickeners, emulsifiers, mild preservatives, pH adjusters, all that is necessary formulation wise, but not a skincare per se) 

Bad (anything that shouldn't be in a skincare product, irritants and fragrance)

Elizabeth Arden Superstart Skin Renewal Booster

Ingredients:

Water, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, PEG-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Amodimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Ceramide 1, Ceramide 3, Ceramide 6 Ii, Cholesterol, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Kefiran, Lactobacillus, Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Extract, Maltodextrin, Fragrance, Phytosphingosine, Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice, Saccharide Isomerate, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Polyacrylate Starch, Xanthan Gum, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate. 

Ingredients Value: 
This serum primarily consists of glycerin, ceramides and some other water-binding ingredients. It will work best to moisturize the skin and repair protective barrier. It does lack antioxidants and some other anti-aging ingredients to be considered skin renewal in my opinion (retinol or glycolic would work much better to renew skin). The inclusion of probiotics in here stays in the grey area for me (first, not enough research, second, the concentrations used here are not high enough anyway).

Price: 65$ for 30ml (1fl.oz).

Other notes: Light, but moisturizing serum/ Mild fragrance.

Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate

Ingredients:

Water, SD Alcohol 40-B (Alcohol Denatured), Glycerin, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, PEG/PPG-17/4 Dimethyl Ether, Triethylhexanoin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-14M, Methylparaben, Tocopheryl Acetate, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, Rosa Damascene Flower Water, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Fragrance, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Hydroxiodes, Silica, Isoceteth-10, Linalool, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract (Ginkgo Biloba), Geraniol, Citronellol, Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, BHT, Thymus Serpillum Extract, Perilla Ocymoides Leaf Extract, Sodium Bicarbonate.

Ingredients Value:
Very high concentration of alcohol, which will dry out you skin and cause inflammation. Preservatives (phenoxyethanol and methylparaben) are very high on the ingredient list, which can be irritating as well. Way too much fragrance. Almost no antioxidants and other anti-aging ingredients to benefit skin and justify the price.

Price: 67$ for 30ml (1fl.oz).

Other notes: Lightweight serum/ Very fragranced.

L'Oreal Revitalift Volumizing Serum

Ingredients:

Water, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Silica, Sodium Hyaluronate, Alpinia Galanga Leaf Extract, Carbomer, Methylsilanol/Silicate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Ammonium Polyacryldimethyltauramide /Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Disodium EDTA, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Linalool, Citronellol, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Fragrance. 

Ingredients Value:
This serum is almost as bad as the Shiseido one. Lot's of alcohol and very few actual anti-aging ingredients. But it beats Power Infusing Concentrate above just by a hair, because alcohol is listed third, not second, and because fragrance and preservatives are lower on the ingredient list. But even the presence of hyaluronic acid can't save this product from being a failure.

Price: 25$ for 15ml (0.5fl.oz).

Other notes: Clear light silicony serum/ Very fragranced.

Verdict:

Elizabeth Arden Superstart serum is a definite winner here. It doesn't have many irritants, but does have a number of skin beneficial ingredients. Also preservatives are not listed that high on the list. I would still consider it a bit overpriced, but at least you are not completely wasting your money. Elizabeth Arden's discontinued product Perpetual Moisture 24H Lotion, was very similar, but actually in my opinion even better (it's a shame they don't make it anymore).
The other two serums are not worth spending money on. Both are loaded with alcohol and fragrance and not good for anyone's skin.