Works for
ExfoliationLactic acid, Tartaric acid + 1 moreWorks well
“Overnight this exfoliator promotes cell turnover to slough away dull, dead skin cells and reveal smooth, soft ones.”
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 acidWorks well
“Uneven skin tone and texture improve to reveal a smoother, more youthful complexion.”
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.
Anti-agingLactic acid, Prunus amygdalus dulcis oil + 1 moreMay help
“Uneven skin tone and texture improve to reveal a smoother, more youthful complexion.”
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.
MoisturizingLactic acid, Glycerin + 10 moreWorks
“Gentle enough for sensitive skin, this reparative treatment provides comforting moisture coupled with extensive exfoliation.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, 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-oxidationSide benefit · Tartaric acid, Prunus amygdalus dulcis oil + 2 moreMay help
This product contains antioxidants (tartaric acid) 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?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Hamamelis virginiana extract, Citrus grandis peel oil + 1 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%
Lactic acid~4.3–6.4%
- 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 acidGlyceryl stearate~3–4.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateGlycerin~2.6–3.9%
- 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 GlycerinAlbumen~2.1–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cetyl alcohol~1.7–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholStearic acid~1.5–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidMalic acid~1.2–1.8%
Tartaric acid~0.95–1.45%
- 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 acidHamamelis virginiana extract~0.8–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating
More about Hamamelis virginiana extractOlea europaea fruit oil~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin but is not effective for restoring its barrier function. Might be helpful to calm down inflammation
More about Olea europaea fruit oilTocopherol~0.4–1%
- 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 TocopherolAloe barbadensis leaf extract~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf extractPrunus amygdalus dulcis oil~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin
More about Prunus amygdalus dulcis oilAllantoin~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinLecithin~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinBisabolol~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
More about BisabololBenzyl alcohol~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholCitrus grandis peel oil~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant oil with high content of volatile compounds that, especially when exposed to air, can cause allergic reactions and irritate the skin
More about Citrus grandis peel oilCananga odorata flower oil~0.05–0.15%
Prunus persica kernel oil~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ingredient list view
Water, Lactic acid, Glyceryl stearate, Glycerin, Albumen, Cetyl alcohol, Stearic acid, Malic acid, Tartaric acid, Hamamelis virginiana extract, Olea europaea fruit oil, Tocopherol, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Prunus amygdalus dulcis oil, Allantoin, Lecithin, Bisabolol, Benzyl alcohol, Unknown, Citrus grandis peel oil, Cananga odorata flower oil, Prunus persica kernel oil
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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.
| CosMedixDefyYOUR PRODUCT | ZO Skin HealthExfoliation Accelerator | HerbivoreMilky Way Sérum Exfoliant 10% Acide Lactique | Herbivore BotanicalsMilky Way 10% AHA + Oat Soothing Exfoliating Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 63% | 62% | 62% |
| Price | — | $70.00 | — | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 6 | 4 of 6 | 4 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Retinyl Palmitate | Gluconolactone | Gluconolactone |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Glo Skin Beauty Hydra-Bright Pro 5 Liquid ExfoliantClinique Clarifying Do-Over Peel
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 16 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
- 5
- 6Method of treating wrinkles using tartaric acidpatents.google.com
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