Balance Active Formula Vitamin C Liquid Gel Peel
- Evens skin tone
- Anti-aging
- Exfoliation
- Moisturizing
- 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid
- glycolic acid
- betaine
- glycerin
- +2 more

Price comparison
Can the product deliver on its promises?
Promise
What does the product description say?WIMJ summary for 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.
Ingredient | Effectiveness | Concentration | Irritancy |
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HIGH | |||
MEDIUM
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WIMJ summary 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.
Ingredient | Effectiveness | Concentration | Irritancy |
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WIMJ summary for exfoliation
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.
Ingredient | Effectiveness | Concentration | Irritancy |
---|---|---|---|
HIGH |
WIMJ summary for moisturizing
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).
Ingredient | Effectiveness | Concentration | Irritancy |
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HIGH | |||
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HIGH |
How honest is this product?
Promise | Can it deliver? |
---|---|
Evens skin tone |
Potential irritants

Ingredient | Irritancy | Skin Benefit |
---|---|---|
propylene glycol | ||
glycolic acid | ||
vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract |
Ingredients by volume
Ingredient | Estimated concentration |
---|---|
Plain old water
| 40% - 60% |
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
| 3.8% - 5.7% |
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
| 3.4% - 5.2% |
Show more |
Similar products & dupes
Balance Active Formula - Vitamin C Liquid Gel Peel | Perricone MD - Exfoliate & Brighten Duo | BABOR - REFINE RX AHA 10+ 10 Peeling Gel | MDO - The Exfoliant | Comfort Zone - Sublime Skin Peel Pad | elmt - Gentle Exfoliating Solution | The INKEY List CA - Apple Cider Vinegar Acid Peel | Jorgobé - AHA Glycolic Peeling Gel | STARSKIN - Glowstar Foaming Peeling Puff | Rodial - Vitamin C Brightening Pads | Naturally Radiant - Superdrug Naturally Radiant Glycolic Tonic 5% | |
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WIMJ similarity score | 59% | 59% | 55% | 55% | 53% | 51% | 51% | 49% | 49% | 49% | |
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Questions
Skincare resources
Scientific Sources
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
- Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitis
- Propylene Glycol
- Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycol
- Photoprotective and antiinflammatory effects of topical glycolic acid
- Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current review
- Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skin
- Lonicera caerulea and Vaccinium myrtillus fruit polyphenols protect HaCaT keratinocytes against UVB-induced phototoxic stress and DNA damage
- Antioxidant Ability and Stability Studies of 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, a Cosmetic Tyrosinase Inhibitor
- Safety Assessment of Citrus Fruit-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics
- Photosensitivity in children: An approach to diagnosis and management