Works for
ExfoliationGlycolic acidWorks well
“This gentle resurfacing toner features Aquaspheres to boost moisture up to 88% instantly.”
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: glycolic acid.
MoisturizingGlycerin, Pyrus malus fruit extract + 8 moreWorks
“Your skin will feel refreshed and revitalized with Glycolic Acid and Vitamin E. This toner can be used anytime day or night to provide a soft, hydrated finish to skin.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, sodium lactate.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
Anti-agingSide benefit · Glycolic acid, Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceWorks well
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains glycolic acid.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
Evens skin toneSide benefit · Glycolic acid, Glycyrrhiza uralensis root extractWorks well
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: glycolic acid
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually can help even out the skin tone: glycyrrhiza uralensis root extract.
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy5 strong irritants: Calendula officinalis flower extract, Parfum + 3 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Glycerin~3.9–5.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinPyrus malus fruit extract~3.7–5.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can have some moisturizing properties due to its sugar content
More about Pyrus malus fruit extractPolysorbate 20~2.4–3.6%
Glycolic acid~2–3%
- Irritation risk
- High
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid
More about Glycolic acidAloe barbadensis leaf juice~1.6–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceCitrullus lanatus fruit extract~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that can contain an antioxidant compound
More about Citrullus lanatus fruit extractLens esculenta fruit extract~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract containing sugars that might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is claimed by the manufacturer to help reduce pore size but evidence is lacking
More about Lens esculenta fruit extractCucumis sativus fruit extract~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be somewhat helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals but its typical concentration in a product is too low for having an effect
More about Cucumis sativus fruit extractHypnea musciformis extract~0.8–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Might help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Hypnea musciformis extractGlycyrrhiza uralensis root extract~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Licorice root extract. Might be helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation
More about Glycyrrhiza uralensis root extractTocopheryl acetate~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateCalendula officinalis flower extract~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that has some anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties. Can be irritating
More about Calendula officinalis flower extractSodium lactate~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the product
More about Sodium lactateSodium pca~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
More about Sodium pcaMaltodextrin~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil
More about MaltodextrinParfum~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIsopentyldiol~0.2–0.75%
Pentylene glycol~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolSodium hydroxide~0.15–0.65%
Phenoxyethanol~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolTetrasodium glutamate diacetate~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps stabilize the product formulation
More about Tetrasodium glutamate diacetateCaprylyl glycol~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolEthylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.5%
Hexylene glycol~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a more spreadable product texture
More about Hexylene glycolCitric acid~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidPotassium sorbate~0.1–0.45%
Sodium benzoate~0.1–0.35%
Benzyl benzoate~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Fragrance with sweet balsamic smell. Help to preserve products and dissolve other ingredients. Could trigger allergic reactions and be irritating
More about Benzyl benzoateLimonene~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneLinalool~0.05–0.25%
Ci 42090~0.05–0.2%
Ci 17200~0.05–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Pyrus malus fruit extract, Polysorbate 20, Glycolic acid, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Citrullus lanatus fruit extract, Lens esculenta fruit extract, Cucumis sativus fruit extract, Hypnea musciformis extract, Glycyrrhiza uralensis root extract, Tocopheryl acetate, Calendula officinalis flower extract, Sodium lactate, Sodium pca, Maltodextrin, Parfum, Isopentyldiol, Pentylene glycol, Sodium hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate, Caprylyl glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene glycol, Citric acid, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate, Benzyl benzoate, Limonene, Linalool, Ci 42090, Ci 17200
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| ADVANCED CLINICALSGlycolic TonerYOUR PRODUCT | Make BeautyACID PHASE AHA Exfoliating Liquid | ROSE INCSkin Resolution Clarifying Toner | First Aid BeautyIngrown Hair Pads | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 64% | 63% | 63% |
| Price | — | — | $15.00 | $24.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 3 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | Salicylic Acid | Niacinamide | Salicylic Acid |
| Irritancy | High | Low | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: The Ordinary Mini Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating and Brightening Daily TonerMEDI-PEEL Derma Maison Green Peel
Product summary
"ADVANCED CLINICALS - Glycolic Toner" is effective for: Anti-aging, Evens skin tone and Exfoliation
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- This product contains acids (glycolic acid 2.00% - 3.00%). Their concentration is low, and they will not have a strong exfoliating effect. Instead, they work to support the skin natural acid mantle and to attract water (as humectants).
- Humectants (sodium pca 0.30% - 0.75%, sodium lactate 0.35% - 0.80% and glycerin 3.90% - 5.80%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails from 9.95$ up to 14.99$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 9 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4
- 5Analyzing Lycopene Content in Fruitssciencedirect.com
- 6
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