Works for
ExfoliationLactic acidWorks well
“Lactic Acid helps to gently exfoliate and retain moisture in the skin to brighten, reduce excess oil, and even texture & tone.”
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: lactic acid.
Evens skin toneLactic acid, Dipotassium glycyrrhizateWorks well
“Lactic Acid helps to gently exfoliate and retain moisture in the skin to brighten, reduce excess oil, and even texture & tone.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: lactic 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.
MoisturizingLactic acid, Capryloyl glycine + 3 moreWorks
“Use to remove impurities, unclog pores, and hydrate for a brighter, clearer complexion.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": lactic acid.
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).
Anti-blemishNo ingredient credited for this claimNot delivered
“Use to remove impurities, unclog pores, and hydrate for a brighter, clearer complexion.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
Anti-agingSide benefit · Lactic acid, TocopherolMay help
This product contains lactic acid. This ingredient might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Lactic acid~5.5–8.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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)
More about Lactic acidBenzyl alcohol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholHexylene glycol~2.3–3.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a more spreadable product texture
More about Hexylene glycolSodium hydroxide~1.9–2.9%
Capryloyl glycine~1.7–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together, preserve cosmetic products, and attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Capryloyl glycinePolysorbate 20~1–1.5%
Dipotassium glycyrrhizate~0.6–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A salt derived from licorice. Works as an emollient to soften the upper layer of the skin and can help calm down inflammation. Might be helpful for skin lightening
More about Dipotassium glycyrrhizateEthylhexylglycerin~0.2–0.8%
Sodium gluconate~0.1–0.45%
Xylitylglucoside~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and repair the skin barrier function
More about XylitylglucosideTocopherol~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolIngredient list view
Water, Lactic acid, Benzyl alcohol, Hexylene glycol, Sodium hydroxide, Capryloyl glycine, Polysorbate 20, Dipotassium glycyrrhizate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium gluconate, Xylitylglucoside, Tocopherol
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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.
| Clear Skin DaysCLARIFYING TONERYOUR PRODUCT | Geek GorgeousSmooth Out Liquid | SEPHORA COLLECTIONClearSkinDays Brightening Toner | MUTHAAmniotic Toner | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 60% | 59% | 54% |
| Price | — | $39.99 | — | $65.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 3 |
| Key difference | — | Anhydroxylitol | — | Lactobionic Acid |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: EADEM Cashmere Peel Gentle AHA + PHA Exfoliating Toner with 9% Lactic, Azelaic, Tranexamic AcidsTula Secret Solution Pro-Glycolic 10% Resurfacing Toner
Product summary
"Clear Skin Days - CLARIFYING TONER" is effective for: Exfoliation and Evens skin tone
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing and Anti-aging, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Exfoliating acids (lactic acid 5.50% - 8.20%). In this concentration, they will have a noticeable exfoliating effect. They can also have an anti-aging effect and stimulate collagen production in a long-run. Lactic Acid can also help to attract water to the upper layer (works as a humectant).
- Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate in this product (0.60% - 1.35%) can also further help improve the skin barrier. It might be able to calm down inflammation and reduce sensitivity. Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate is an active compound from the licorice root.
- Humectants (lactic acid 5.50% - 8.20%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 6 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skinpdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 3
- 4
- 5Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
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