Balance Active Formula Vitamin C Liquid Gel Peel
Works for
ExfoliationGlycolic acidWorks well
“Vitamin C Liquid Gel Peel”
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-agingSide benefit · Glycolic acid, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acidWorks well
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 toneSide benefit the brand mentions · Glycolic acid, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acidWorks well
“Balance Active Formula Vitamin C Gel Peel contains Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, a stable form of Vitamin C, and is paired with 3% Natural Fruit Acid solution and 2% Glycolic Acid,. . .”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: glycolic acid
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually can help even out the skin tone: 3-o-ethyl ascorbic 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.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extractMay help
This product contains antioxidants (3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Glycerin, Saccharum officinarum extract + 3 moreWorks
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": betaine, glycerin.
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).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Parfum, Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Glycerin~3.8–5.7%
- 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 GlycerinPropylene glycol~3.4–5.2%
- 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 glycolGlycolic acid~2.7–4%
- 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 acidPolysorbate 20~1.9–2.9%
Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract~1.5–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin, but research on its efficacy in skin is lacking
More about Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extractPhenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolSodium hydroxide~1.1–1.7%
Amorphophallus konjac root extract~0.95–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hydroxyacetophenone~0.6–1.4%
Saccharum officinarum extract~0.45–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sugar extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharum officinarum extractParfum~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about Parfum3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Can help neutralize free radicals and help reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
More about 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acidBetaine~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about BetaineTetrasodium glutamate diacetate~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps stabilize the product formulation
More about Tetrasodium glutamate diacetateCarrageenan~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps thicken the product formula and create a nice product formulation
More about CarrageenanCitrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that is used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and lead to photosensitivity
More about Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extractCitrus limon fruit extract~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and cause photosensitivity
More about Citrus limon fruit extractGlyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and provide a longer-lasting hydration. Can create a thicker product consistency
More about Glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymerAcer saccharum extract~0.01–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that contains small percentage of AHAs. Is unlikely to have any skin benefit due the small concentration of the active compounds
More about Acer saccharum extractIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Propylene glycol, Glycolic acid, Polysorbate 20, Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium hydroxide, Amorphophallus konjac root extract, Hydroxyacetophenone, Saccharum officinarum extract, Parfum, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Betaine, Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate, Carrageenan, Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract, Citrus limon fruit extract, Glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer, Acer saccharum 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.
| Balance Active FormulaVitamin C Liquid Gel PeelYOUR PRODUCT | psaFOLLOW THE LIGHT Multi Acids & Vitamin C Radiance Peel | NassifMD DermaceuticalsGlycolic Microdermabrasion Skin Perfecting Polish | BABORREFINE RX AHA 10+ 10 Peeling Gel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 62% | 60% | 59% |
| Price | — | — | $12.00 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 6 | 3 of 6 | 3 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Salicylic Acid | Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride | Salicylic Acid |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: PSA Skin Follow The LightNakery Advanced Resurfacing Microderm Scrub
Product summary
"Balance Active Formula - Vitamin C Liquid Gel Peel" is effective for: Anti-aging, Evens skin tone and Exfoliation
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- This product contains acids (glycolic acid 2.70% - 4.00%). Their concentration is low, and they will not have a strong exfoliating effect. Instead, they work to support the skin natural acid mantle and to attract water (as humectants).
- Humectants (glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer 0.05% - 0.15%, betaine 0.20% - 0.75% and glycerin 3.80% - 5.70%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails from 5.99£ up to 7.10£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 13 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 5
- 6Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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