A vegan collagen treatment serum that helps to restore skin’s natural bounce & resilience, replenishing & preserving a healthy skin matrix.
– Algenist
Well-known for its focus on algae and collagen, Algenists’ Genius Liquid Collagen serum boasts of its ability to increase hydration and glow into the skin without irritating it, qualifying its miraculous results with a steep price. I decided to take this dive during a sale, as I’d been conflicted on trying it, but interested nonetheless. When the product arrived, I quickly implemented it into my routine without any irritation or hesitancy. For application, I quickly discovered how cumbersome the pipette and overall packaging of the product was, making extracting and applying its contents an unnecessary show of effort. Though, once I had dotted my face with the gelatinous serum, its was easy to spread and absorbed in seconds. After about a month or so of morning and night use, I had used up my bottle, disappointed in how quickly it emptied and how little impact it had on my skin.
Ingredient Pros and Cons
Ingredients: Collagen (Vegan)*, Water (Aqua, Eau), Propanediol, Isononyl Isononanoate, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Betaine, Pentylene Glycol, Dextrin Palmitate, Collagen Amino Acids (Vegan)*, Parachlorella Beijerinckii Exopolysaccharides, Chlorella Protothecoides Oil, Helichrysum Stoechas Flower Extract, Cylindrotheca Fusiformis Extract, Niacinamide, Tocopherol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Adenosine, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Palmitic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Carbomer, Sodium Lactate, Amodimethicone, Homosalate, Polysorbate 20, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Octocrylene, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance (Parfum), Limonene, Beta-Carotene (CI 40800).
Significant Pros
- Collagen (moisturizing)
- Glycerin (moisturizing)
- Niacinamide (acne and hyper pigmentation fighting)
- Propanediol (hydrating)
- Butylene Glycol (moisturizing humectant)
- Betaine (soothing)
- Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 (moisturizing, healing)
- Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil (moisturizing)
- Tocopherol, Cylindrotheca Fusiformis Extract (antioxidant)
Significant Cons
- Fragrance (skin irritant)
- Limonene (skin irritant)
The Takeaway
The Algenist Genius Collagen serum has an impressive ingredient list and fan following, but for me, it fell quite short of the hype. While I’m glad my skin didn’t react negatively to this product, I can’t recommend this to others, even if the product is on sale. There are much more effective products out there that can provide a punch of moisture at a fraction of the price (currently, I’m loving Mizon’s Snail Repair Ampoule and am looking forward to trying NIOD’s Multi-Molecular Hyaluronic Complex).
Skincare for Introverts 