Dynamic Resurfacing Essence

Elemis

Where to buy Possibly in stock

About this product

The Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Essence is a serums, essence, ampoule. Our analysis of its 42 ingredients (29 low-risk) rates it Excellent (92/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone skin. Heads up: it contains fragrance, which can irritate sensitive or reactive skin.

Vegan-friendly Reef-safe

Summarised from our ingredient analysis — not brand marketing copy.

At a glance

Type
Serums, Essence, Ampoules
Ingredients
42
Low-risk
29
Fragrance
Contains fragrance
Origin
United Kingdom
Data updated
Jun 2026

The evidence

Quick Product Notes

Paraben-Free Sulfate-Free Alcohol-Free Silicone-Free EU Allergen-Free Fungal Acne (Malassezia) Safe

Notable Effects & Ingredients

No Notable Effects & Ingredients

Ingredients Related to Skin Types

Good   Bad — tap a skin type to see which ingredients · estimated from ingredient functions
Dry Skin 7/10
Good for dry skin
Behenyl Alcohol Stearyl Alcohol Caprylyl Glycol Glycerin Propylene Glycol Hydrogenated Castor Oil Lactic Acid
Caution for dry skin
Sorbitan Isostearate Stearyl Alcohol Betula Alba Juice Glycerin Trideceth-9 Hydrogenated Castor Oil t-Butyl Alcohol Sodium Hydroxide Polysorbate 60 PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Oily/Acne-Prone Skin 1/0
Good for oily/acne-prone skin
Betula Alba Juice
Sensitive Skin 3/15
Good for sensitive skin
Glycerin Tocopheryl Acetate Tuber Aestivum Extract
Caution for sensitive skin
Stearyl Alcohol Glycerin Propylene Glycol Tartaric Acid t-Butyl Alcohol Citric Acid Sodium Benzoate Potassium Sorbate PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil Lactic Acid Phenoxyethanol Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone Hexyl Cinnamal Limonene Benzyl Salicylate

Ingredients list

42 total
Lower hazard (1) Higher hazard (7)
All42 Skin Conditioning20 Fragrance17 Viscosity Controlling8 Surfactant6 Emulsifying6 Masking6 Perfuming6 Emulsion Stabilising6
EWG CIR Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions Notes
1
Water
(Solvent)
4
B
Lactic Acid
(Exfoliant, Fragrance, Humectant, Ph Adjuster, Skin Conditioning Agent Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Buffering Agent)
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
(Skin Conditioning)
3
B
Sodium Hydroxide
(Denaturant, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent)
1
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
(Emulsion Stabilising, Viscosity Controlling)
1
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
(Emulsion Stabilising, Viscosity Controlling)
1
Phytic Acid
(Chelating Agent, Oral Care Agent)
4
A
Phenoxyethanol
(Fragrance, Preservative)
Paraben
Paraben
2
A
Glycerin
(Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care Agent, Oral Health Care Drug, Skin Protecting, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Perfuming, Solvent)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
1
Betula Alba Juice
(Astringent, Tonic)
2
A
Citric Acid
(Chelating Agent, Fragrance, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent, Masking)
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
3
B
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
(Fragrance, Emulsifying, Surfactant, Perfuming)
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
1
B
Trideceth-9
(Emulsifying, Surfactant)
3
A
Sodium Benzoate
(Fragrance, Preservative, Anticorrosive, Masking)
TOCOPHEROL
(Antioxidant, Fragrance, Skin Conditioning)
1
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer
(Viscosity Controlling)
1
Tartaric Acid
(Fragrance, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent, Masking)
Bad for Sensitive Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
PARFUM
(Fragrance, Perfuming)
3
A
Potassium Sorbate
(Fragrance, Preservative)
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
(Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Skin Conditioning Emollient)
3
B
Polysorbate 60
(Emulsifying, Surfactant)
Fungal Acne
Fungal Acne Trigger
1
A
Sorbitan Isostearate
(Emulsifying, Surfactant)
1
Yeast Extract
(Skin Conditioning)
3
B
Propylene Glycol
(Fragrance, Humectant, Skin Conditioningagent Miscellaneous, Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Skin Conditioning, Viscosity Controlling)
Good for Dry Skin
Good for Dry Skin
2
A
t-Butyl Alcohol
(Denaturant, Fragrance, Solvent, Perfuming)
1
3
Papain
(Hair Conditioning, Lytic Agent, Skin Conditioning, Antistatic Agent)
5
Hexyl Cinnamal
(Fragrance, Masking)
Allergens
Allergens
6
Limonene
(Deodorant, Perfuming, Solvent)
Allergens
Allergens
1
A
1,2-Hexanediol
(Solvent)
1
A
Caprylyl Glycol
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Humectant)
1
A
Behenyl Alcohol
(Binding Agent, Emulsion Stabilising, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Binding, Emollient, Viscosity Controlling)
7
Benzyl Salicylate
(Fragrance, Uv Absorber, Masking)
Allergens
Allergens
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
(Skin Conditioning, Viscosity Controlling)
2
A
Chlorphenesin
(Cosmetic Biocide, Antimicrobial, Preservative)
Tuber Aestivum Extract
(Skin Protecting)
5
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
(Perfuming, Skin Conditioning)
Allergens
Allergens
1
A
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
(Viscosity Increasing Agent, Emollient, Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning, Surfactant, Viscosity Controlling)
1
A
Stearyl Alcohol
(Emulsion Stabilising, Fragrance, Emulsifying, Surfactant, Foambooster, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Emollient, Foam Boosting, Masking, Opacifying, Refatting, Viscosity Controlling)
1
Protease
(Lytic Agent, Skin Conditioning)
1
3
Subtilisin
(Lytic Agent, Skin Conditioning, Keratolytic)
3
Tocopheryl Acetate
(Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning)
Bad for Oily Skin
Bad for Oily Skin
Citrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig Oil
(Flavouring, Fragrance)

My Ingredient Notes

No personal ingredient notes yet. Save ingredients to your profile to get good/bad alerts here.

Browse similar serums, essence, ampoule
No close formula match yet — browse other products like this

Key ingredients

AHA
Exfoliates skin for a brighter complexion.
Vitamin E
Protects skin and soothes irritation.
Antioxidants
Shields skin from free radical damage.
Exfoliators
Removes dead skin cells to smoothe texture.

Benefits

HydratingBoosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
BrighteningRestores radiance to dull, tired skin.
Anti-AgingSoftens lines and helps skin look youthful.
Skin TextureSmooths rough patches and refines texture.
Barrier RepairStrengthen and restore your skin's natural barrier.
Reduces IrritationEases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Scar HealingImproves the look of marks and scars.
Dark SpotsFades dark spots for even skin tone.

Concerns

Contains paraben
Contains eu allergen
Not fungal acne (malassezia) safe
Benzyl Salicylate — higher EWG
May not suit dry skin
May not suit sensitive skin

EWG flags hazard, not real-world risk — ratings don't account for how much of an ingredient a product contains. Treat these as things to research, not verdicts. How we score →

Ingredients explained

Water
Solvent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Solvent
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin conditioning
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A Skin conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
Denaturant, Ph adjuster
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR B DenaturantPh adjusterBuffering agent
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion stabilising, Viscosity controlling
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Emulsion stabilisingViscosity controlling
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion stabilising, Viscosity controlling
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Emulsion stabilisingViscosity controlling
Phytic Acid
Chelating agent, Oral care agent
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Chelating agentOral care agent
Betula Alba Juice
Astringent, Tonic
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 AstringentTonic
Trideceth-9
Emulsifying, Surfactant
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR B EmulsifyingSurfactant
Sodium Benzoate
Fragrance, Preservative
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR A FragrancePreservativeAnticorrosiveMasking
TOCOPHEROL
Antioxidant, Fragrance
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A AntioxidantFragranceSkin conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer
Viscosity controlling
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 Viscosity controlling
PARFUM
Fragrance, Perfuming
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A FragrancePerfuming
Potassium Sorbate
Fragrance, Preservative
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR A FragrancePreservative
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Fragrance, Skin conditioning
Limited public safety data.Read moreShow less
EWG N/A FragranceSkin conditioningSkin conditioning emollient
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying, Surfactant
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 1 CIR A EmulsifyingSurfactant
+ 14 more — see the full ingredients list above
Lactic Acid
Exfoliant, Fragrance
Skin irritation can occur at high concentrationRead moreShow less
EWG 4 CIR B ExfoliantFragranceHumectantPh adjusterSkin-conditioning agent -humectantSkin conditioningBuffering agent Bad for Sensitive Skin
Phenoxyethanol
Fragrance, Preservative
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 4 CIR A FragrancePreservative Paraben
Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance
Low-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 2 CIR A DenaturantFragranceHair conditioningHumectantOral care agentOral health care drugSkin protectingViscosity decreasing agentPerfumingSolvent Good for Dry SkinFungal-acne trigger
Citric Acid
Chelating agent, Fragrance
Skin irritation can occur at high concentrationRead moreShow less
EWG 2 CIR A Chelating agentFragrancePh adjusterBuffering agentMasking Bad for Sensitive Skin
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Fragrance, Emulsifying
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR B FragranceEmulsifyingSurfactantPerfuming Fungal-acne trigger
Tartaric Acid
Fragrance, Ph adjuster
Skin irritation can occur at high concentrationRead moreShow less
EWG 1 FragrancePh adjusterBuffering agentMasking Bad for Sensitive Skin
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying, Surfactant
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR B EmulsifyingSurfactant Fungal-acne trigger
Propylene Glycol
Fragrance, Humectant
Low-to-moderate hazard.Read moreShow less
EWG 3 CIR B FragranceHumectantSkin-conditioningagent - miscellaneousSolventViscosity decreasing agentSkin conditioningViscosity controlling Good for Dry Skin
Hexyl Cinnamal
Fragrance, Masking
Moderate-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 5 FragranceMasking Allergens
Limonene
Deodorant, Perfuming
Moderate-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 6 DeodorantPerfumingSolvent Allergens
Benzyl Salicylate
Fragrance, Uv absorber
Higher-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 7 FragranceUv absorberMasking Allergens
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming, Skin conditioning
Moderate-hazard ingredient.Read moreShow less
EWG 5 PerfumingSkin conditioning Allergens
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant, Skin conditioning
Potentially comedogenic - can block poresRead moreShow less
EWG 3 AntioxidantSkin conditioning Bad for Oily Skin

How to use

How to use

  • 1 Where it fits: Apply after toner and before moisturiser — thinnest to thickest.
  • 2 Morning only: Apply as the last step of your AM routine, after moisturiser, and reapply every ~2 hours of sun exposure.
  • 3 Wear SPF the next day: Acids and retinoids increase sun sensitivity — daily sunscreen is a must while using this.

General guidance from this product's category and active ingredients — always follow the directions on the package.

Trust & honesty

Effective levels — general guide

The concentrations these actives are typically effective at in research — not a measurement of this product.

AHA (acid exfoliant) 5–10% (OTC)

OTC leave-on AHAs are usually 5–10%. The effect also depends on pH and free-acid value, not the percentage alone.

Lactic Acid, Tartaric Acid

INCI lists don't disclose amounts, and we don't claim to know this product's levels — these are the ranges these ingredients are usually effective at, so you can tell a real formula from "fairy-dusting" a marketed active. How we estimate this.

From the community

0
Reviews
0
Saved by users
0
In collections

Ratings & reviews

Write a Review
0.0
from 0 ratings

Used this product? Rate it in 10 seconds

Alternatives