CosMedix Defy Triple Hydroxy Acid Age-Defying Treatment
Works for
ExfoliationLactic acid, Tartaric acid + 1 moreWorks well
“It uses three gentle AHA's to eliminate dull, dead skin and soothing ingredients like aloe and olive oil to hydrate and calm the skin.”
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
“The treatment reduces the appearance of pigmentation, dark spots and scarring to even the skin 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, Caprylic/capric triglyceride + 13 moreWorks
“Defy Triple Hydroxy Acid Age-Defying Treatment”
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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, helianthus annuus seed oil.
Anti-agingLactic acid, Prunus amygdalus dulcis oilMay help
“Exfoliation doesn't need to be harsh!Who is this for?Ideal for those of all skin types, especially damaged, dehydrated, aging and acne-prone skin who want smoother, clearer and softer skin.”
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 strong irritants: Hamamelis virginiana water, Citrus grandis peel oil + 2 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Lactic acid~4.3–6.5%
- 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 acidCaprylic/capric triglyceride~3.8–5.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideGlyceryl stearate~2.5–3.8%
- 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~2.2–3.2%
- 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 GlycerinCetearyl alcohol~1.8–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholPolysorbate 60~1.5–2.2%
Benzyl alcohol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholAlbumen~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tartaric acid~0.85–1.3%
- 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~0.5–1.2%
Stearic acid~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidCetyl alcohol~0.45–1.05%
- 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 alcoholOlea europaea fruit oil~0.35–0.85%
- 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 oilHamamelis virginiana water~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating
More about Hamamelis virginiana waterHelianthus annuus seed oil~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilTocopheryl acetate~0.3–0.75%
- 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 acetateAloe barbadensis leaf juice powder~0.2–0.75%
- 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 juice powderPrunus amygdalus dulcis oil~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin
More about Prunus amygdalus dulcis oilBisabolol~0.1–0.5%
- 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 BisabololCitrus grandis peel oil~0.1–0.45%
- 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 oilGlycine soja oil~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A good emollient that helps soften the skin and helps repair its barrier function. It can clog pores if used in high concentrations.
More about Glycine soja oilPrunus persica fruit extract~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fruit extact. Might have some anti-oxidant properties
More about Prunus persica fruit extractCananga odorata flower oil~0.05–0.3%
Allantoin~0.05–0.25%
- 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 AllantoinAlcohol~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties
More about AlcoholFullerenes~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Lecithin~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinIngredient list view
Water, Lactic acid, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Glyceryl stearate, Glycerin, Cetearyl alcohol, Polysorbate 60, Benzyl alcohol, Albumen, Tartaric acid, Malic acid, Stearic acid, Cetyl alcohol, Olea europaea fruit oil, Hamamelis virginiana water, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Tocopheryl acetate, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder, Prunus amygdalus dulcis oil, Bisabolol, Citrus grandis peel oil, Glycine soja oil, Prunus persica fruit extract, Cananga odorata flower oil, Allantoin, Alcohol, Fullerenes, Lecithin
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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.
| CosMedixDefy Triple Hydroxy Acid Age-Defying TreatmentYOUR PRODUCT | Shani Darden Skin CareLactic Acid Exfoliating Serum | ZO Skin HealthExfoliation Accelerator | Make BeautyLactic Acid + Vitamin C Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 68% | 63% | 63% |
| Price | — | $73.04 | $92.00 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 6 | 3 of 6 | 3 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Gluconolactone | Retinyl Palmitate | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: hellobubble Moon Walk GENTLE EXFOLIATING SERUMHerbivore Milky Way Sérum Exfoliant 10% Acide Lactique
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 15 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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