PRODUCT REVIEW
Cheaper alternatives
Product summary
What can the product work for?
Moisturizing
glycerin
3.8% -
5.6%
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
sodium lactate
2.6% -
3.9%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the product
aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder
0.05% -
0.15%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
Show more
Exfoliation
What does the product description say?
Buff’ N Polish Gentle Chemical Exfoliant
gluconolactone
0.5% -
1.1%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
A polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals
lactic acid
1.9% -
2.9%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
Honesty check
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Exfoliation |
Total Promises Fulfilled score:
0/100.
Buy now
We receive a small commission for purchases made through these links at no cost for you. Thank you for your support! Learn more
AU Retailers
UK Retailers
Can it cause trouble?
- Overall product irritation risk
- Acne & comedogenic risk ingredients: 1
Potential irritants
benzyl alcohol
0.2% -
0.75%
Irritation risk:
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
sodium lactate
2.6% -
3.9%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the product
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
carrageenan
0.9% -
1.35%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Helps thicken the product formula and create a nice product formulation
Similar products & dupes
 Bondi Sands - Buff’ N Polish Gentle Chemical Exfoliant |  Bubble Skincare - Moon Walk Gentle Exfoliating Serum |  Chemist Confessions - Baby Steps Acid Treatment |  Be Minimalist - AHA PHA BHA 32% |  Herbivore - Milky Way Sérum Exfoliant 10% Acide Lactique |  Herbivore Botanicals - Milky Way 10% AHA + Oat Soothing Exfoliating Serum |  Deviant - Gentle Resurfacing Liquid |  Clark's Botanical - 7-Acid Daily Glow Peel |  Derma E - Ferulic Acid Resurfacing Pads |  SEPHORA COLLECTION - Glow Peel Pads with AHA + PHA |  Soho Skin - Liquid Exfoliator | |
| Price | |||||||||||
| WIMJ similarity score |
56%
|
55%
|
51%
|
49%
|
49%
|
48%
|
47%
|
47%
|
47%
|
47%
| |
| Key ingredients |
| Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other: | Common: Other:
| Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other: | Common:
Other: |
| Irritancy | IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
HIGH
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
LOW
|
| Potential Irritants |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| All ingredients |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ingredients & concentrations
All ingredients
Key Actives
gluconolactone
0.5% -
1.1%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Exfoliation,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-aging,
Anti-oxidation,
Anti-blemish
A polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals
lactic acid
1.9% -
2.9%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Exfoliation,
Moisturizing,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-aging
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
Show more
Potential irritants
benzyl alcohol
0.2% -
0.75%
Irritation risk:
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
sodium lactate
2.6% -
3.9%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the product
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
carrageenan
0.9% -
1.35%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Helps thicken the product formula and create a nice product formulation
All ingredients
glycerin
3.8% -
5.6%
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
phenoxyethanol
0.5% -
1%
Irritation risk:
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
Show more
Ingredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium lactate, Lactic acid, Xanthan gum, Benzyl alcohol, Carrageenan, Gluconolactone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium benzoate, Calcium gluconate, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder, Prunus speciosa flower extract
Sources
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
- Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acid
- Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skin
- A comparative study of gluconolactone versus benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne
- The Polyhydroxy Acid Gluconolactone Protects Against Ultraviolet Radiation in an In Vitro Model of Cutaneous Photoaging
- Applications of hydroxy acids: classification, mechanisms, and photoactivity
- The efficacy of glycolic acid, salicylic acid, gluconolactone, and licochalcone A combined with 0.1% adapalene vs adapalene monotherapy in mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris: a double-blinded within-person comparative study
- A polyhydroxy acid skin care regimen provides antiaging effects comparable to an alpha-hydroxyacid regimen
- The use of polyhydroxy acids (PHAs) in photoaged skin
- Blackwell Publishing, Ltd. Alpha-hydroxyacids and carboxylic acids
- An evaluation of a polyhydroxy acid skin care regimen in combination with azelaic acid 15% gel in rosacea patients
- Aging Skin: Causes, Treatments, and Prevention
- Clinical and cosmeceutical uses of hydroxyacids