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DHC Soothing Lotion
DHC

DHC Soothing Lotion

Efficacy0/100IrritancyMedium
See all ingredients

Works for

Moisturizing
Serine, Butylene glycol + 1 more
Not delivered
What the product description says
“Deeply hydrates and supports the skin's natural barrier to leave you with gently cleansed, soothed skin.”
Source: Lookfantastic

Does not contain good ingredients to help with moisturization.

SerineEffect: HighAn amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In combination with other amino-acids, might help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles~1.3–1.9%
Butylene glycol· HumectantEffect: LowUsed 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~6.6–9.9%
Pentylene glycol· EmollientEffect: LowUsed to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture~3.8–5.8%
Exfoliation
Side benefit the brand mentions · Alcloxa, Glycolic acid
Works well
What the product description says
“Packed with amino acid serine and alcloxa, the alcohol-free toner effortlessly eliminates impurities and dead skin cells, without over-drying or tightness so you can experience a brighter, refined appearance.”
Source: Lookfantastic

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.

AlcloxaKey activeEffect: MediumAn aluminum salt of allantoin. Can have an exfoliating and mattifying effect. Can be irritating~0.4–1%
Glycolic acidKey activeEffect: HighAn 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~0.15–0.6%
Anti-aging
Side benefit · Serine, Glycolic acid
Works 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: serine.

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.

SerineKey activeEffect: MediumAn amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In combination with other amino-acids, might help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles~1.3–1.9%
Glycolic acidKey activeEffect: HighAn 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~0.15–0.6%
Evens skin tone
Side benefit · Glycolic acid
Works well

This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: glycolic 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.

Glycolic acidKey activeEffect: HighAn 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~0.15–0.6%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
1 strong irritant: Alcloxa
Medium risk
We flagged 4 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
AlcloxaAn aluminum salt of allantoin. Can have an exfoliating and mattifying effect. Can be irritatingHigh~0.4–1%est.
Glycolic acidAn 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 acidHigh~0.15–0.6%est.
Pentylene glycolUsed to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product textureMedium~3.8–5.8%est.
Ammonium hydroxideHelps adjust the product pHMedium~0.1–0.45%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged
Alternatives
Cheaper, or higher on efficacy
Ingredients Glycolic Acid Toner
Boots Ingredients Glycolic Acid Toner
Higher efficacy · 100/10061% match
$32.26
Balancing Facial Toner
YEOUTH Balancing Facial Toner
CheaperHigher efficacy · 25/10055% match
$8.99
View all alternatives

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Butylene glycol~6.6–9.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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 glycol
Pentylene glycol~3.8–5.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture

More about Pentylene glycol
Phenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Serine~1.3–1.9%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-aging

An amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In combination with other amino-acids, might help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles

More about Serine
Alcloxa~0.4–1%
Key activeIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Exfoliation

An aluminum salt of allantoin. Can have an exfoliating and mattifying effect. Can be irritating

More about Alcloxa
Glycolic acid~0.15–0.6%
Key activeIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-agingEvens skin toneExfoliationAnti-blemish

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 acid
Ammonium hydroxide~0.1–0.45%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps adjust the product pH

More about Ammonium hydroxide
Ingredient list view

Water, Butylene glycol, Pentylene glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Serine, Alcloxa, Glycolic acid, Ammonium hydroxide

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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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
DHCSoothing LotionYOUR PRODUCTBootsIngredients Glycolic Acid TonerYEOUTHBalancing Facial TonerBYNACHTLiquid Lullaby Soothing Toner
Match—61%55%53%
Price—$32.26$8.99—
Shared key ingredients—1 of 30 of 31 of 3
Key difference—BetaineAllantoinAllantoin
Irritancy Medium Low Low Low
Drying alcohol————
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 4 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide provides improvement in photoaged human facial skinonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  2. 2
    Photoprotective and antiinflammatory effects of topical glycolic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. 4
    Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skinmdpi.com
DHC Soothing Lotion
DHCSoothing Lotion
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