PRODUCT REVIEW
Cheaper alternatives
Product summary
What can the product work for?
Works for
Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
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,. . .
glycolic acid
2.7% -
4%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: 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
3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid
0.35% -
0.75%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
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
Anti-aging
glycolic acid
2.7% -
4%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: 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
3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid
0.35% -
0.75%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
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
Exfoliation
glycolic acid
2.7% -
4%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: 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
Moisturizing
betaine
0.2% -
0.75%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
glycerin
3.8% -
5.7%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer
0.05% -
0.15%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and provide a longer-lasting hydration. Can create a thicker product consistency
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Honesty check
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Evens skin tone |
Total Promises Fulfilled score:
100/100.
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Can it cause trouble?
- Overall product irritation risk
- Acne & comedogenic risk ingredients: 1
Potential irritants
propylene glycol
3.4% -
5.2%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
glycolic acid
2.7% -
4%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Exfoliation,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-aging,
Anti-blemish
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
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
carrageenan
0.15% -
0.5%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Helps thicken the product formula and create a nice product formulation
Similar products & dupes
 Balance Active Formula - Vitamin C Liquid Gel Peel |  Perricone MD - Exfoliate & Brighten Duo |  BABOR - REFINE RX AHA 10+ 10 Peeling Gel |  Comfort Zone - Sublime Skin Peel Pad |  MDO - The Exfoliant |  elmt - Gentle Exfoliating Solution |  The INKEY List CA - Apple Cider Vinegar Acid Peel |  Jorgobé - AHA Glycolic Peeling Gel |  Dr Dennis Gross - Vitamin C Lactic Acid Dewy Face Cream | Dr. Dennis Gross |  Image skincare - Iluma Intense Facial Illuminator |  STARSKIN - Glowstar Foaming Peeling Puff | |
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| WIMJ similarity score |
59%
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59%
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55%
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55%
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53%
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51%
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51%
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49%
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49%
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| Key ingredients |
| Common:
Other:
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| Irritancy | IRRITANCY
HIGH
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
HIGH
| IRRITANCY
HIGH
| IRRITANCY
HIGH
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Ingredients & concentrations
All ingredients
Key Actives
glycolic acid
2.7% -
4%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Exfoliation,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-aging,
Anti-blemish
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
3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid
0.35% -
0.75%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Evens skin tone,
Anti-oxidation,
Anti-aging
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
Show more
Potential irritants
propylene glycol
3.4% -
5.2%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
glycolic acid
2.7% -
4%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Exfoliation,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-aging,
Anti-blemish
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
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
carrageenan
0.15% -
0.5%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Helps thicken the product formula and create a nice product formulation
All ingredients
glycerin
3.8% -
5.7%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
propylene glycol
3.4% -
5.2%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
Show more
Ingredient 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
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
- Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition.
- 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