Works for
Anti-blemishSalicylic acid, Glycolic acidWorks well
“Acne Toner”
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: salicylic acid. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: glycolic acid
ExfoliationGlycolic acid, Lactic acid + 2 moreWorks well
“The alcohol free formula contains 2% salicylic acid and alpha hydroxy acids to gently exfoliate away dull and damaged skin, while fighting acne-causing bacteria.”
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, lactic acid, salicylic acid.
Anti-agingSide benefit · Glycolic acid, Lactic acidWorks 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: lactic acid.
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.
Evens skin toneSide benefit · Glycolic acid, Lactic acid + 1 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic 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.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Lactic acid, Tartaric acid + 2 moreWorks
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": lactic acid, propylene glycol.
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-oxidationSide benefit · Tartaric acidMay help
This product contains antioxidants (tartaric acid) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is some human evidence for this effect in skin, though it is smaller or less consistent than the evidence for the best antioxidants.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Hamamelis virginiana extract, Rosa damascena extract + 2 more — patch-test recommendedHigh 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%
Hamamelis virginiana extract~5.3–7.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating
More about Hamamelis virginiana extractGlycolic acid~3.8–5.6%
- 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 acidLactic acid~2.7–4%
- 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 acidCitric acid~2.1–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidTartaric acid~1.6–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An AHA (alpha-hydroxy acid). It oxidizes quickly which makes it less effective in skincare formulations. It can support skin's barrier and moisture levels
More about Tartaric acidMalic acid~1.4–2%
Rosa damascena extract~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Oil of a very fragrant pink rose used as fragrance in cosmetics. Extensive research has shown it has mixed benefits. In the pro column, inhaling this flower’s scent seems to have relaxing properties and the plant’s petals contain skin-soothing and antioxidant compounds that can benefit skin. On the flipside, the numerous chemicals that create this rose’s distinctive fragrance pose a risk of causing skin aggravation.
More about Rosa damascena extractAnanas sativus fruit extract~1–1.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A fruit extract that might help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin, but there is no evidence for any other benefits to the skin
More about Ananas sativus fruit extractCitrus grandis peel/seed extract~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Chamomilla recutita extract~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Chamomilla recutita extractSalicylic acid~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
More about Salicylic acidPropylene glycol~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolTriethanolamine~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineDiazolidinyl urea~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Works by releasing formaldehyde. Can be irritating
More about Diazolidinyl ureaMethylparaben~0.05–0.25%
Propylparaben~0.05–0.2%
Ingredient list view
Water, Hamamelis virginiana extract, Glycolic acid, Lactic acid, Citric acid, Tartaric acid, Malic acid, Rosa damascena extract, Ananas sativus fruit extract, Citrus grandis peel/seed extract, Chamomilla recutita extract, Salicylic acid, Propylene glycol, Triethanolamine, Diazolidinyl urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben
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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.
| Clinicians ComplexAcne TonerYOUR PRODUCT | The Purest SolutionsExfoliating and Clarifying Toner Glycolic Acid 5% AHA+BHA | EmerginCTriple-Threat Peel | CliniqueClarifying Do-Over Peel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Price | — | — | $63.43 | $21.37 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 5 | 4 of 5 | 5 of 5 |
| Key difference | — | Vitamin C | Retinol | Lactobionic Acid |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Dope Skin Co AHA/BHA Exfoliating TonicDeviant Skincare Gentle Resurfacing Liquid
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 18 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6
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