PRODUCT REVIEW
Alpha-H Balancing Moisturizer & Gentle Exfoliant with 10% Glycolic Acid
Can it cause trouble?
Add to Compare
Cheaper alternatives
What can the product work for?
Anti-aging
What does the product description say?
glycolic acid
5.2% -
7.8%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: 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
hyaluronic acid
0.1% -
0.4%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
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
prunus amygdalus dulcis oil
0.35% -
0.85%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
An emollient that softens the skin
Show more
Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
glycolic acid
5.2% -
7.8%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: 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
camellia sinensis leaf extract
0.05% -
0.15%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
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
Exfoliation
What does the product description say?
glycolic acid
5.2% -
7.8%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: 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
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
dimethicone
0.15% -
0.65%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
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
cyclomethicone
1.7% -
2.5%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
A type of silicone that leaves a nice silky finish on the skin and can help soften its upper layer
hyaluronic acid
0.1% -
0.4%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
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
Show more
Anti-blemish
What does the product description say?
glycolic acid
5.2% -
7.8%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
MEDIUM
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
aloe barbadensis leaf juice
3.6% -
5.3%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
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
camellia sinensis leaf extract
0.05% -
0.15%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
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
Honesty check
How honest is this product?
Promise | Can it deliver? |
---|---|
Anti-aging | |
Exfoliation | |
Evens skin tone | |
Moisturizing | |
Anti-blemish |
Total Promises Fulfilled score:
85/100.
Buy now
We receive a small commission for purchases made through these links at no cost for you. Thank you for your support! Learn more
UK Retailers
Can it cause trouble?
- Overall product irritation risk
- Acne & comedogenic risk ingredients: 2
Potential irritants
glycolic acid
5.2% -
7.8%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Evens skin tone,
Exfoliation,
Anti-aging,
Anti-blemish
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
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
ethylhexyl palmitate
1.5% -
2.2%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing
An emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture
User reviews (0)
Similar products & dupes
Alpha-H - Balancing Moisturizer & Gentle Exfoliant with 10% Glycolic Acid | Secret Key - Hyaluron Aqua Soft Cream Sponsored | Glytone - Age-Defying Antioxidant Day Cream | Dermadoctor - Physical Chemistry Facial Microdermabrasion and Multi-Acid Peel | Jan Marini - Bioclear Face Cream | Derma E - Deluxe Mini Overnight Peel | Replenix - Glycolic Acid 20% Resurfacing Cream | Skinbetter Science - AlphaRet Overnight Cream | Skin better - Intensive AlphaRet Overnight Cream | Paula's choice - Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Lotion | Obagi - Nu-Derm Exfoderm Forte | Medik8 - Sleep Glycolic Serum | |
Price | ||||||||||||
WIMJ similarity score |
50%
|
57%
|
56%
|
56%
|
55%
|
55%
|
54%
|
54%
|
54%
|
54%
|
54%
| |
Key ingredients |
| Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other: | Common:
Other: | Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other: | Common:
Other: | Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other: | Common:
Other: | Common:
Other: |
Irritancy | IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
LOW
|
Potential Irritants |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All ingredients |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ingredients & concentrations
All ingredients
Key Actives
glycolic acid
5.2% -
7.8%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Evens skin tone,
Exfoliation,
Anti-aging,
Anti-blemish
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
hyaluronic acid
0.1% -
0.4%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-inflammatory,
Anti-aging
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
Show more
Potential irritants
glycolic acid
5.2% -
7.8%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Evens skin tone,
Exfoliation,
Anti-aging,
Anti-blemish
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
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
ethylhexyl palmitate
1.5% -
2.2%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing
An emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture
All ingredients
glycolic acid
5.2% -
7.8%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Evens skin tone,
Exfoliation,
Anti-aging,
Anti-blemish
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
aloe barbadensis leaf juice
3.6% -
5.3%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Antibacterial,
Reduces irritation,
Reduces redness,
Anti-inflammatory,
Anti-blemish,
Anti-aging
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
Show more
Ingredient 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
Sources
- Photoprotective and antiinflammatory effects of topical glycolic acid
- Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current review
- Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skin
- Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions