Works for
ExfoliationGlycolic acidWorks well
“A gentle resurfacing solution that uses a blend of botanicals to resurface, hydrate, and tighten the skin.”
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.
Evens skin toneGlycolic acidWorks well
“A blend of botanicals including cypress, thyme, barley, malt and arnica, work to even out skin tone, reduce redness, and imperfections.”
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.
MoisturizingGlycerin, Plankton extract + 3 moreWorks
“A gentle resurfacing solution that uses a blend of botanicals to resurface, hydrate, and tighten the skin.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, caprylyl glycol.
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 the brand mentions · Glycolic acid, Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceWorks well
“Fine Lines and Wrinkles, Dryness, and Dullness and Uneven TextureFormulation.”
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Hamamelis virginiana water, Arnica montana flower extract + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Hamamelis virginiana water~4.8–7.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating
More about Hamamelis virginiana waterGlycerin~3.5–5.3%
- 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 GlycerinGlycolic acid~2.7–4.1%
- 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 acidPlankton extract~2–3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Plankton extractPotassium hydroxide~1.7–2.5%
Polysorbate 20~1.4–2.1%
Peg-7 glyceryl cocoate~1.2–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oils and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent
More about Peg-7 glyceryl cocoateAmmonium glycyrrhizate~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Phenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCucumis sativus extract~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice~0.4–0.95%
- 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 juicePropylene glycol~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolCaprylyl glycol~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolArnica montana flower extract~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can be irritating. It can have some anti-bacterial properties, but there are no evidence of a beneficial effect for skin
More about Arnica montana flower extractChamomilla recutita flower extract~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Chamomilla recutita flower extractThymus vulgaris flower/leaf extract~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that has some anti-bacterial properties. Can be used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Thymus vulgaris flower/leaf extractPotassium sorbate~0.15–0.5%
Sodium benzoate~0.1–0.45%
Cupressus sempervirens seed extract~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Polygonatum officinale rhizome/root extract~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hordeum vulgare extract~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant properties. Avoid if you are sensitive to gluten
More about Hordeum vulgare extractSorbic acid~0.05–0.25%
Benzoic acid~0.05–0.25%
Dehydroacetic acid~0.05–0.2%
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.05–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Water, Hamamelis virginiana water, Glycerin, Glycolic acid, Plankton extract, Potassium hydroxide, Polysorbate 20, Peg-7 glyceryl cocoate, Ammonium glycyrrhizate, Phenoxyethanol, Cucumis sativus extract, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Propylene glycol, Caprylyl glycol, Arnica montana flower extract, Chamomilla recutita flower extract, Thymus vulgaris flower/leaf extract, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate, Cupressus sempervirens seed extract, Polygonatum officinale rhizome/root extract, Hordeum vulgare extract, Sorbic acid, Benzoic acid, Dehydroacetic acid, Ethylhexylglycerin
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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-HInstant AHA Facial TonicYOUR PRODUCT | ZO Skin HealthExfoliation Accelerator | Peter Thomas RothGlycolic Acid 8% Toner | Versed SkinWeekend Glow Brightening Solution | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 70% | 69% | 69% |
| Price | — | $70.00 | $39.75 | $17.99 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 |
| Key difference | — | Lactic Acid | Allantoin | Azelaic Acid |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | Contains drying alcohol | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: VitaminSea.beauty Seaweed + Glycolic Acid Facial TonerTouch Skin Care 20% Glycolic Acid Pads
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 14 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4
- 5Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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