Alpha-H Balancing Moisturizer Gentle Exfoliant
Works for
4 of 4 advertised claims delivered
Exfoliation1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
“Balancing Moisturizer Gentle Exfoliant”
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.
Anti-aging5 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“It helps to diminish scarring and fine lines, hydrate and smoothen the skin and reduce pigmentation and age spots.”
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 tone2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Our Balancing Moisturizer and Gentle Exfoliant effectively revives skin texture, tone and clarity.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: glycolic acid
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.
Moisturizing14 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
“Balancing Moisturizer Gentle Exfoliant”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
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. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
cyclomethicone, glycerin.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: dimethicone, cyclomethicone.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: MentholMedium risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Glycolic acid~5.2–7.8%
- 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~3.6–5.3%
- 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 juicePotassium hydroxide~2.7–4.1%
Cetyl alcohol~2.1–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholCyclomethicone~1.7–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that leaves a nice silky finish on the skin and can help soften its upper layer
More about CyclomethiconeEthylhexyl palmitate~1.5–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Ethylhexyl palmitateSorbitol~1.2–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about SorbitolCeteth-20~1.2–1.7%
Stearic acid~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidPeg-100 stearate~0.85–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateGlyceryl stearate~0.45–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateStearyl heptanoate~0.4–0.95%
Prunus amygdalus dulcis oil~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin
More about Prunus amygdalus dulcis oilGlycerin~0.3–0.75%
- 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPolysorbate 20~0.15–0.6%
Dimethicone~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconeHyaluronic acid~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. Naturally present in skin. Typically has large molecule size unless advertised otherwise on the product label. Helps support skin's barrier function and may help to reduce inflammation
More about Hyaluronic acidHydrolyzed collagen~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A typically plant-derived compound that is supposed mimic human collagen. Cannot penetrate the skin barrier so is not particularly useful in skincare products beyond attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrolyzed collagenTocopheryl acetate~0.1–0.35%
- 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 acetateMenthol~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
Piroctone olamine~0.05–0.25%
Camellia sinensis leaf extract~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractIngredient list view
Water, Glycolic acid, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Potassium hydroxide, Cetyl alcohol, Cyclomethicone, Ethylhexyl palmitate, Sorbitol, Ceteth-20, Stearic acid, Peg-100 stearate, Glyceryl stearate, Stearyl heptanoate, Prunus amygdalus dulcis oil, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Dimethicone, Hyaluronic acid, Hydrolyzed collagen, Tocopheryl acetate, Menthol, Piroctone olamine, Camellia sinensis leaf extract
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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.
| Alpha-HBalancing Moisturizer Gentle ExfoliantYOUR PRODUCT | Pevonia BotanicaPevonia Radiance Renewing Glycocides Cream | GlytoneAge-Defying Antioxidant Day Cream | ISDINIsdinceutics Glicoisdin 8 Soft Peeling Effect Face Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 58% | 57% | 56% |
| Price | $39.00 | $52.85+$13.85 | $92.00+$53.00 | $31.10−$7.90 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 6 | 4 of 6 | 3 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Titanium Dioxide | Anhydroxylitol | Ceramide Np |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 9 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
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