Works for
ExfoliationLactic acidWorks well
“Formulated with powerful actives, this glow serum exfoliates, hydrates, and brightens the look of skin for an instant and continuous glow.”
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.
MoisturizingGlycerin, Lactic acid + 10 moreWorks
“Formulated with powerful actives, this glow serum exfoliates, hydrates, and brightens the look of skin for an instant and continuous glow.”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
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. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin, lactic acid.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: dimethicone, octyldodecyl myristate.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Glycyrrhetinic acid, Caffeine + 2 moreWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (glycyrrhetinic acid) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
Evens skin toneSide benefit the brand mentions · Lactic acid, Glycyrrhetinic acid + 1 moreWorks well
“brightens the look of skin”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: lactic 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: glycyrrhetinic 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.
Anti-agingSide benefit · Lactic acid, Magnesium ascorbyl phosphateMay 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?
Irritancy14 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%
Glycerin~4.2–6.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinLactic acid~3.4–5.1%
- 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 acidOctyldodecyl myristate~2.7–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Octyldodecyl myristateButylene glycol~2–3%
- 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 glycolBis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane~1.7–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silaneDimethicone~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconePpg-24-glycereth-24~0.95–1.45%
Sodium hydroxide~1–1.45%
Hydrogenated lecithin~0.6–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to retain moisture by creating a protective barrier on the skin. Rich in fatty acids. Improves product texture and helps with the penetration of other ingredients.
More about Hydrogenated lecithinGlycereth-26~0.45–1.05%
Polysorbate 80~0.4–0.9%
Sodium hyaluronate~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateCaffeine~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes
More about CaffeineAloe barbadensis leaf water~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but data on its effectiveness is lacking. While the majority of the content is plain water, it can contain some goodies like vitamins, enzymes, minerals, and humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf waterC13-14 isoparaffin~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin, dissolve other ingredients and create a thicker product consistency
More about C13-14 isoparaffinSodium polyaspartate~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help stabilize the product formulation
More about Sodium polyaspartateTrehalose~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A sugar that attracts water to the upper layer of the skin
More about TrehaloseSodium stearoyl glutamate~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl glutamateGlycyrrhetinic acid~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Active compound of licorice root. Works to calm down inflammation, as an anti-oxidant, and might be helpful in lightening the skin and reducing hyperpigmentation
More about Glycyrrhetinic acidSucrose~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In crystal form, it can work as a gentle exfoliant, gentler than the salt scrub. Helps stabilize the emulsion
More about SucroseLaureth-7~0.1–0.4%
Xanthan gum~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumDimethicone/peg-10/15 crosspolymer~0.1–0.3%
Polyacrylamide~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve product texture and help oil and water mix together
More about PolyacrylamideTocopheryl acetate~0.1–0.35%
- 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 acetateMagnesium ascorbyl phosphate~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A derivative of vitamin C that is more stable, but less bioavailable than the pure form of vitamin C. It does not penetrate the skin well, but has been shown to convert to pure vitamin C once in skin. It can be helpful in stimulating collagen production and lightening the skin tone, but the required concentration is likely to be very high
More about Magnesium ascorbyl phosphateBht~0.1–0.3%
Disodium edta~0.05–0.3%
Phenoxyethanol~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPotassium sorbate~0.05–0.25%
Mica~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light
More about MicaTitanium dioxide~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxideIron oxides~0.01–0.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An umbrella term for the following three colorants: CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499. They might be able to offer some protection against visible light, but the degree of the protection is not clear
More about Iron oxidesIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Lactic acid, Octyldodecyl myristate, Butylene glycol, Bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane, Dimethicone, Ppg-24-glycereth-24, Sodium hydroxide, Hydrogenated lecithin, Glycereth-26, Polysorbate 80, Sodium hyaluronate, Caffeine, Aloe barbadensis leaf water, C13-14 isoparaffin, Sodium polyaspartate, Trehalose, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Glycyrrhetinic acid, Sucrose, Laureth-7, Xanthan gum, Dimethicone/peg-10/15 crosspolymer, Polyacrylamide, Tocopheryl acetate, Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, Bht, Disodium edta, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium sorbate, Mica, Titanium dioxide, Iron oxides
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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.
| CliniqueMoisture Surge Active Glow SerumYOUR PRODUCT | MaeloveSuper Smooth Resurfacing Serum | It CosmeticsBye Bye Breakout Salicylic Acid Acne Serum | The INKEY List CALactic Acid Face Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 55% | 54% | 54% |
| Price | $49.00 | $32.95−$16.05 | $36.00−$13.00 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 8 | 3 of 8 | 3 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Salicylic Acid | Niacinamide | — |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: colibri skincare Exfoliate BoosterMasks and Exfoliators Sérum Exfoliante Intenso con Ácido Hialurónico
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 15 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skinpdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 4
- 5Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 6
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