Works for
ExfoliationGlycolic acidWorks well
“The lightweight gel is suitable for all skin types, even sensitive, providing an intense peeling action with glycolic acid, which kickstarts cell renewal.”
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.
MoisturizingHexapeptide-2, Rhamnose + 4 moreWorks well
“Apply every evening before your preferred moisturiser avoiding the eye contour.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": fructooligosaccharides, mannitol.
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).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: hexapeptide-2
Evens skin toneGlycolic acid, Ascorbyl glucoside + 2 moreWorks well
“® patent, an innovative complex that acts on the main biological mechanisms responsible for pigmentation, this Lightening Serum lightens dark spots, evens out the complexion and enhances radiance.”
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: ascorbyl glucoside, glycyrrhiza glabra root extract.
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-agingSide benefit · Glycolic acid, Ascorbyl glucoside + 3 moreWorks well
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: ascorbyl glucoside, hexapeptide-2.
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.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Ascorbyl glucoside, Glycyrrhiza glabra root extractMay help
This product contains antioxidants (ascorbyl glucoside) 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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Alcohol denat.Medium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Alcohol denat.~7.1–10.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Glycolic acid~3.2–4.7%
- 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~2.1–3.2%
Ascorbyl glucoside~1.5–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Has a potential to boost collagen production, nutralise free radicals and 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 Ascorbyl glucosideButylene glycol~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolNiacinamide~0.55–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamideLysine azelate~0.8–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Andrographis paniculata leaf extract~0.5–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that can help lighten the skin and calm down inflammation. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals
More about Glycyrrhiza glabra root extractHexapeptide-2~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Hexapeptide-2Rhamnose~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together. It also helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about RhamnoseMannitol~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about MannitolXylitol~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and repair the skin barrier function
More about XylitolFructooligosaccharides~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about FructooligosaccharidesAmmonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer~0.01–0.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Increases thickness of a product. Texture enhancer for oil-in-water emulsions
More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymerHydroxyethylcellulose~0.01–0.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures
More about HydroxyethylcellulosePolysorbate 20~0.01–0.1%
Sodium metabisulfite~0.01–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Water, Alcohol denat., Glycolic acid, Sodium hydroxide, Ascorbyl glucoside, Butylene glycol, Niacinamide, Lysine azelate, Andrographis paniculata leaf extract, Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, Hexapeptide-2, Rhamnose, Mannitol, Xylitol, Fructooligosaccharides, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polysorbate 20, Sodium metabisulfite
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
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.
| BiodermaWhite Objective Lightening SerumYOUR PRODUCT | AmLactinBright & Smooth Serum | NutureFacial Treatment Serum | COSRXAHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 80% | 80% | 80% |
| Price | — | $13.99 | $21.45 | $13.40 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 6 | 2 of 6 | 2 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid | Alpha-Arbutin | Panthenol |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Revolution Man Exfoliating SerumREVOLUTION SKINCARE 10% Glycolic Acid Glow Serum
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 9 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3
- 4The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Healthncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5
- 6
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.