Alpha Skin Care Essential Renewal Lotion
Works for
4 of 4 advertised claims delivered
Anti-aging3 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles and helps to support collagen production.”
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.
Exfoliation1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
“Alpha Skin Care's Essential Renewal Lotion is formulated with 10% Glycolic AHA which works by gently releasing dead skin cells allowing new, fresh, healthier skin to come to the surface.”
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 tone1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
“Evens skin tone and texture to leave skin feeling soft and smooth.”
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.
Moisturizing9 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
“Essential Renewal Lotion”
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:
sucrose.
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, cetyl alcohol.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Imidazolidinyl ureaMedium risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Glycolic acid~5–7.5%
- 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 acidAmmonium hydroxide~3.8–5.6%
Glyceryl stearate~2.5–3.7%
- 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 stearatePeg-100 stearate~2.3–3.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearatePropylene glycol~1.6–2.5%
- 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 glycolPeg-40 stearate~1.4–2.1%
Sorbitan stearate~1.2–1.8%
Cetyl alcohol~1.1–1.6%
- 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 alcoholIsopropyl palmitate~0.85–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
More about Isopropyl palmitateTocopheryl acetate~0.5–1.2%
- 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 acetateTocopherol~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolPetrolatum~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the most effective and the most studied occlusive ingredients that creates a protective layer on top of the skin preventing moisture loss
More about PetrolatumDimethicone~0.4–0.9%
- 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 DimethiconeMyristyl myristate~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient. Is not recommended for acne-prone skin as it can be comedogenic
More about Myristyl myristateStearic acid~0.4–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidMagnesium aluminum silicate~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might be helpful in restoring skin barrier function and, when combined with zinc carbonate and malonic acid, reducing fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating elastin production. Also helps stabilize the product formulation
More about Magnesium aluminum silicateCellulose gum~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create thicker product consistency and stabilize emulsions
More about Cellulose gumSorbic acid~0.1–0.4%
Bht~0.1–0.35%
Imidazolidinyl urea~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Is more irritating than many other preservatives available
More about Imidazolidinyl ureaGlycol10%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sucrose~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In crystal form, it can work as a gentle exfoliant, gentler than the salt scrub. Helps stabilize the emulsion
More about SucroseIngredient list view
Water, Glycolic acid, Ammonium hydroxide, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Propylene glycol, Peg-40 stearate, Sorbitan stearate, Cetyl alcohol, Isopropyl palmitate, Tocopheryl acetate, Tocopherol, Petrolatum, Dimethicone, Myristyl myristate, Stearic acid, Magnesium aluminum silicate, Cellulose gum, Sorbic acid, Bht, Imidazolidinyl urea, Glycol, Unknown, Sucrose, Unknown
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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 Skin CareEssential Renewal LotionYOUR PRODUCT | NEOSTRATAProblem Dry Skin Cream | CliniqueDDMID Moisturizing Lotion + Uneven Texure Concentrate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 56% | 52% |
| Price | $17.99 | $35.42+$17.43 | $56.85+$38.86 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 6 | 3 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Mineral Oil | Mineral Oil |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop |
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 13 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3
- 4Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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