Works for
Anti-agingGlycolic acid, Retinyl palmitate + 1 moreWorks well
“antioxidant that protects the skin from UV rays and promotes collagen and elastin.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains glycolic acid.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: retinyl palmitate.
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.
ExfoliationGlycolic acid, Retinyl palmitateWorks well
“alpha-hydroxy acid that re-texturizes and brightens the skin, providing exfoliating benefits while boosting the skin's natural moisture.”
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.
MoisturizingSqualane, Phospholipids + 1 moreWorks
“mega-hydrator & acts as a barrier to keep moisture locked in.”
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: squalane.
Keep in mind that this product does not contain effective ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. This is why an additional product with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid can be helpful (apply it before this product for the best results).
Evens skin toneSide benefit · Glycolic acid, Retinyl palmitateWorks well
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: retinyl palmitate.
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 · Ubiquinone, Tocopheryl acetateWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (ubiquinone) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Hamamelis virginiana water, Menthol + 2 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Glycolic acid~5.4–8.1%
- 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 acidSodium hydroxide~3.7–5.6%
Polysorbate 20~2.6–3.8%
Hamamelis virginiana water~1.9–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating
More about Hamamelis virginiana waterSqualane~1.7–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
More about SqualaneSuccinic acid~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Phospholipids~1.1–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Emollients that are naturaly present in skin. In addition, they help water and oil mix together in the product
More about PhospholipidsMenthol~0.85–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Retinyl palmitate~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
More about Retinyl palmitateTocopheryl acetate~0.45–1.05%
- 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 acetateUbiquinone~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Coenzyme Q10. It helps neutralize free radicals in skin, improves skin hydration and might be helpful agains fine lines and wrinkles. It can be an allergen
More about UbiquinoneAlcohol~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties
More about AlcoholDisodium edta~0.15–0.5%
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.4%
Sodium benzoate~0.05–0.25%
Phenoxyethanol~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolEdta~0.01–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Water, Glycolic acid, Sodium hydroxide, Polysorbate 20, Hamamelis virginiana water, Squalane, Succinic acid, Phospholipids, Menthol, Retinyl palmitate, Tocopheryl acetate, Ubiquinone, Alcohol, Disodium edta, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Edta
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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.
| BarefacedGlow Peel PadsYOUR PRODUCT | Estée LauderPerfectionist Pro Instant Resurfacing Peel | Dr Dennis GrossExclusive Peels for Glowing Skin | ZO Skin HealthExfoliation Accelerator | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 63% | 62% | 61% |
| Price | $50.00 | — | — | $92.00+$42.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 3 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | Salicylic Acid | Retinol | Lactic Acid |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | High | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | Contains drying alcohol | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Glycolix elite, Topix Glycolix Elite Treatment Pads 10%Zombie Beauty Bloody Peel
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 3 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3
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