Missha Super Aqua Ultra Waterful Intensive Serum

Missha Super Aqua Ultra Waterful Intensive Serum
5.2
/ 10
Moisturizing
10.0 Humectancy icon Humectancy
0.5 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
3Anti-wrinkle icon/ 10
Anti-wrinkle
Rich
in Antioxidants

Review

Results you may expect from using Missha Super Aqua Ultra Waterful Intensive Serum:

Based on the ingredient analysis by CreamScan, these are the key benefits you can expect from using Missha Super Aqua Ultra Waterful Intensive Serum:

  • Moderate moisturizing. It has a moisturizing rating of 5.2 out of 10.
  • Some anti-wrinkle efficacy: Missha Super Aqua Ultra Waterful Intensive Serum has an anti-wrinkle rating of 3.0 out of 10 so you may expect some, although limited, effect on wrinkles.
  • Antioxidant protection.

How moisturizing is it?

Quite moisturizing: Missha Super Aqua Ultra Waterful Intensive Serum has a moisturizing rating of 5.2 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? Significantly more humectant. It has a low occlusivity of 0.5 out of 10 and a maximum humectancy of 10 out of 10, primarily due to the high content of Glycerin (est. ≈6.0%), Butylene Glycol (est. ≈3.0%) and Niacinamide (est. ≈2.0%).

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the moisturizing rating calculation.

Anti-wrinkle efficacy

According to CreamScan analysis, Missha Super Aqua Ultra Waterful Intensive Serum has a slight anti-wrinkle rating of 3.0 out of 10. It contains one ingredient with proven anti-wrinkle efficacy: Niacinamide (est. ≈2.0%), 
 one of the most effective and well-researched anti-wrinkle ingredients.
 
Among others, Missha Super Aqua Ultra Waterful Intensive Serum also contains some ingredients marketed as effective in reducing wrinkles, specifically Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, and Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract. However, the studies supporting the anti-wrinkle claims of these ingredients provide insufficient evidence of efficacy according to CreamScan Research Evaluation Standards. Therefore, these ingredients do not contribute to the anti-wrinkle rating.
 
Moisturizers, when used regularly, are proven to prevent wrinkle formation and even reduce existing wrinkles. Therefore, this product, like any other moisturizer, could deliver additional anti-wrinkle efficacy through its moisturizing action.
 

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the anti-wrinkle rating calculation.

Antioxidant benefits

We estimate that Missha Super Aqua Ultra Waterful Intensive Serum is rich (> 3%) in antioxidants, specifically Niacinamide (est. ≈2.0%).

A key benefit of antioxidants is their ability to reduce oxidative stress caused by free radicals and therefore prevent accelerated skin aging. Studies also show that antioxidants can protect against environmental damage such as UV radiation and pollution, and help reduce inflammation and skin redness.

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
70
Water
6
Glycerin
4
Cyclopentasiloxane
3
Butylene Glycol
2
Niacinamide
1.5
PEG-8
1.3
Cyclohexasiloxane
1
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
0.3
Hydrogenated Polybutene
0.3
Pentylene Glycol
0.3
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
0.3
Phenoxyethanol
0.3
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
0.3
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer
0.3
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
0.3
Tromethamine
0.3
Propanediol
0.3
Caprylyl Glycol
0.3
Hydrogenated Lecithin
0.3
Panthenol
0.3
Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Water
0.3
Fragrance
0.3
Ethylhexylglycerin
0.3
Disodium EDTA
0.3
Anastatica Hierochuntica Extract
0.3
Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
0.3
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Extract
0.3
Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
0.3
Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Callus Culture Extract
0.3
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Callus Culture Extract
0.3
Rhizophora Mangle Callus Culture Extract
0.3
Salicornia Herbacea Callus Culture Extract
0.3
1,2-Hexanediol
0.3
Lactobacillus Ferment
0.3
Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract
0.3
Glyceryl Caprylate
0.3
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
0.3
Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract
0.3
Adenium Obesum Leaf Extract
0.3
Polyglutamic Acid
0.3
Sodium Hyaluronate
Est. %
Water
Function:
Origin:
Glycerin
Function:
Origin:
Cyclopentasiloxane
Function:
Origin:
Butylene Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Niacinamide
Function:
Origin:
PEG-8
Function:
Origin:
Cyclohexasiloxane
Function:
Origin:
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Function:
Origin:
Hydrogenated Polybutene
Function:
Origin:
Pentylene Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Function:
Origin:
Phenoxyethanol
Function:
Origin:
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Function:
Origin:
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer
Function:
Origin:
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Function:
Origin:
Tromethamine
Function:
Origin:
Propanediol
Function:
Origin:
Caprylyl Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Function:
Origin:
Panthenol
Function:
Origin:
Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Water
Function:
Origin:
Fragrance
Function:
Origin:
Ethylhexylglycerin
Function:
Origin:
Disodium EDTA
Function:
Origin:
Anastatica Hierochuntica Extract
Function:
Origin:
Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Function:
Origin:
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Extract
Function:
Origin:
Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
Function:
Origin:
Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Callus Culture Extract
Function:
Origin:
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Callus Culture Extract
Function:
Origin:
Rhizophora Mangle Callus Culture Extract
Function:
Origin:
Salicornia Herbacea Callus Culture Extract
Function:
Origin:
1,2-Hexanediol
Function:
Origin:
Lactobacillus Ferment
Function:
Origin:
Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract
Function:
Origin:
Glyceryl Caprylate
Function:
Origin:
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Function:
Origin:
Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract
Function:
Origin:
Adenium Obesum Leaf Extract
Function:
Origin:
Polyglutamic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Hyaluronate
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
15.8
6
3
2
1.5
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
1.0
1.0
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
5.2
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 15.8 10
10.0
6
3
2
1.5
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 1.0 20
0.5
1.0
Moisturizing rating
5.2
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
6
3
2
1.5
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All humectants 15.8 10
10
All humectants
15.8
6
3
2
1.5
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
1
All occlusives 1.0 20
0.5
All occlusives
1.0
1.0
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
6 /10 4 2 3
n/a
- 0.3 -
n/a
- 0.3 -
n/a
- 0.3 -
Total
3
Niacinamide
3
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
6 /10
when present at, %
4
in this formula, est. %
2
Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
0.3
Lactobacillus Ferment
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
0.3
Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
0.3
Anti-wrinkle rating
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
2
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All antioxidants 3.8 3 Rich in antioxidants
All antioxidants
3.8
Niacinamide
2
Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Callus Culture Extract
0.3
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Callus Culture Extract
0.3
Rhizophora Mangle Callus Culture Extract
0.3
Salicornia Herbacea Callus Culture Extract
0.3
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
0.3
Sodium Hyaluronate
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
2
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All soothing 3.5 5 No
All soothing
3.5
2
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %70
Function
Origin
WaterThe most used ingredient in skincare. Its concentration defines the product texture: rich creams may have about 50% of water while a light jelly about 90%. Water doesn’t moisturize the skin by itself and is used in skincare as a solvent for other ingredients.
Glycerin
Est. %6
Function
Origin
Glycerin

The most popular moisturizing ingredient in the world. It is a powerful humectant – cheap yet very effective.

Cyclopentasiloxane
Est. %4
Function
Origin
CyclopentasiloxaneA lightweight, fast-spreading emollient that leaves a very soft and silky after-feel on the skin. Supplied as a clear and colorless liquid, cyclopentasiloxane is often used as a solvent to dissolve other silicones in.
Butylene Glycol
Est. %3
Function
Origin
Butylene GlycolA clear, colorless liquid humectant that draws moisture to the skin. The humectancy of butylene glycol, owed to its two hydroxyl groups, is quite considerable, although not as powerful as glycerin, which contains three hydroxyl groups.
Niacinamide
Est. %2
Function
Origin
Niacinamide

Also known as vitamin B3, this ingredient is a true superstar with confirmed moisturizing, anti-acne, hyperpigmentation, and antioxidant benefits. Two studies confirm its significant anti-wrinkle efficacy.

PEG-8
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
PEG-8A synthetic liquid that serves as a humectant. It also works as a solvent because of its ability to dissolve a wide range of ingredients.
Cyclohexasiloxane
Est. %1.3
Function
Origin
CyclohexasiloxaneA clear silicone fluid with very low viscosity that is commonly used as a solvent and emollient. It has excellent spreadability, rubs in quickly, and leaves a silky smooth after-feel on the skin.
Camellia Japonica Seed Oil
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Camellia Japonica Seed OilExtracted from the seeds of the common camellia, this fatty oil contains emollient and occlusive moisturizing oleic and linoleic acids, as well as vitamin E.
Hydrogenated Polybutene
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Hydrogenated PolybuteneDescription is coming soon
Pentylene Glycol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Pentylene Glycol

A naturally or synthetically derived preservative that exhibits effective antifungal and antibacterial traits. It also acts as a booster for more traditional preservatives. Pentylene glycol can also serve as a moisturizing humectant and solvent.

Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone CrosspolymerThis ingredient can refer to several kinds of dimethicone crosspolymers. Like other silicones, it makes products feel slippery and non-greasy but can also increase the thickness or improve the water-resistance of a formula.
Phenoxyethanol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PhenoxyethanolThe most frequently used preservative in skincare. It is a clear, oil-like liquid synthetic substance that protects products from harmful bacteria and yeast, whilst still leaving skin microflora unharmed. It is confirmed by research to be harmless.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerA synthetic ingredient that is used to thicken water and alcohol. It results in a more lightweight formula and is commonly found in gel products.
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP CopolymerA polymeric ingredient that creates lightweight and refreshing gel textures. It also works as a viscosity controlling agent.
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor OilA white paste-like substance derived from castor oil that belongs to a group of ingredients called PEGs (polyethylene glycols). It acts as a perfume solubilizer that helps fragrance agents dissolve in water and as a cleansing agent.
Tromethamine
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
TromethamineAn ingredient based on amino acids that is commonly used as a pH adjuster. It has a high pH, which means that it is basic (alkaline), so adding tromethamine to a skincare product will increase its overall pH level.
Propanediol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PropanediolAn excellent solvent capable of mixing water with normally water-insoluble ingredients. It also functions as a humectant due to its water-loving alcohol groups. Propanediol can control the viscosity of a product by reducing its thickness.
Caprylyl Glycol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Caprylyl GlycolAn emollient that improves product spreadability and offers a silky feel on the skin. It also acts as a preservative booster that improves the efficacy of other preservatives. According to the manufacturer, it is also a humectant moisturizer.
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Hydrogenated LecithinA version of plain lecithin that has been saturated with hydrogen atoms. This ingredient can be derived from plants, like soy or sunflower, from egg yolks, or made synthetically. Its major function is to emulsify water and oils.
Panthenol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PanthenolA popular soothing and moisturizing derivative of vitamin B5. Panthenol is particularly beneficial for dry, flaking, burned, or damaged skin. It is used to alleviate the symptoms of a rash, dermatitis, eczema, chapped lips, and sunburn.
Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Water
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit WaterDescription is coming soon
Fragrance
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
FragranceUnder trade secret law, manufacturers have the right not to disclose what exactly went into the fragrance and use the unspecific word Fragrance or Parfum instead. Many fragrances are highly allergenic.
Ethylhexylglycerin
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
EthylhexylglycerinA preservative booster derived from glycerin. It is commonly paired with other preservatives to improve their efficacy. Ethylhexylglycerin is also a humectant due to its chemical base of glycerin.
Disodium EDTA
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Disodium EDTAA synthetic chelator that helps to maintain the look and smell of a product by 'locking up' troublesome metal ions.
Anastatica Hierochuntica Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Anastatica Hierochuntica ExtractDescription is coming soon
Betula Platyphylla Japonica Juice
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Betula Platyphylla Japonica JuiceA fresh sap obtained from the Asian white birch. It contains various antioxidant compounds and is claimed to promote hair growth.
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Opuntia Ficus-Indica ExtractDescription is coming soon
Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Pseudoalteromonas Ferment ExtractAn ingredient obtained from a bacterial culture. According to the patent holder, it produces a special glycoprotein that promotes collagen and elastin synthesis and moisturizes the skin by drawing water to it.
Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Callus Culture Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Callus Culture ExtractDescription is coming soon
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Callus Culture Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Callus Culture ExtractDescription is coming soon
Rhizophora Mangle Callus Culture Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Rhizophora Mangle Callus Culture ExtractDescription is coming soon
Salicornia Herbacea Callus Culture Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Salicornia Herbacea Callus Culture ExtractDescription is coming soon
1,2-Hexanediol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
1,2-HexanediolA multi-functional formula helper. It is a well-studied preservtive against bacteria and can help pigments and fragrances disperse evenly in a formula.
Lactobacillus Ferment
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Lactobacillus FermentA biotechnological product – a mixture of metabolic products of Lactobacillus culture. Some Lactobacillus forms have been reported to have anti-wrinkle and barrier repairing effects, as well as able to improve skin hydration, elasticity, and gloss.
Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Imperata Cylindrica Root ExtractAn extract obtained from cogongrass roots. According to the patent holder, it contains significant amounts of potassium, a humectant and anti-wrinkle compound, as well as sulfur-containing proteins.
Glyceryl Caprylate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Glyceryl CaprylateA waxy solid derived from vegetable oils that has emollient and emulsifying properties. It is also known to boost the efficacy of organic acid preservatives by destabilizing the microbe's cell membrane.
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem ExtractA soothing and antioxidant extract from prickly pear succulent stems. These stems contain a cooling and anti-inflammatory watery gel that is similar to aloe.
Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Adansonia Digitata Seed ExtractDescription is coming soon
Adenium Obesum Leaf Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Adenium Obesum Leaf ExtractDescription is coming soon
Polyglutamic Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Polyglutamic AcidA natural polymer with incredible water-binding properties that is prepared from glutamic acid through fermentation.
Sodium Hyaluronate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium Hyaluronate

A sodium salt of famous hyaluronic acid. A potent humectant that hydrates the skin, supports collagen function, and fills out small wrinkles. Sodium hyaluronate also offers soothing and antioxidant properties.