Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Exfoliation
- Anti-aging
- Evens skin tone
- Moisturizing
Can it cause trouble?
- Irritation risk: high
- Comedogenic risk ingredients: 1
Key actives
Works for
Anti-aging
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.
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
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
Evens skin tone
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.
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
Exfoliation
What does the product description say?
Instant AHA Facial Tonic is a fast acting oil-free facial with Glycolic Acid, delivering the clarity and radiance of microdermabrasion and salon inspired peels without the abrasion and stress.
Source: Alpha-H
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.
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
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).
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
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
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Exfoliation |
Total Promises Fulfilled score: 100/100.
Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
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| Product | Similarity | Price | Irritancy |
|---|---|---|---|
 Alpha-H Large Instant AHA Facial Tonic | Current | - | |
e.l.f. Cosmetics SuperTone Toner | 66% | - | |
e.l.f. e.f. SuperTone With Fruit Acid | 66% | $8.00 | |
 VitaminSea.beauty Seaweed + Glycolic Acid Facial Toner | 64% | $8.99 | |
 Bliss Clear Genius Clarifying Liquid Peel | 64% | - | |
 Dr. Zenovia Skincare 10% Glycolic Acne Peel Pads | 64% | $42.00 |
Key Actives
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
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
Potential irritants
A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating
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
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
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
Plant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritating
Plant extract that has some anti-bacterial properties. Can be used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
Helps oils and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent
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
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant properties. Avoid if you are sensitive to gluten
Comedogenic ingredients
Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
All ingredients
A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
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
Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
Helps oils and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
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
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
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
Plant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritating
Plant extract that has some anti-bacterial properties. Can be used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant properties. Avoid if you are sensitive to gluten
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, Hexylglycerin
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