Dr. Denese Firming Facial MicroDermabrasion Cream
Works for
ExfoliationGlycolic acid, Retinyl palmitate + 1 moreWorks well
“Firming Facial MicroDermabrasion Cream”
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.
MoisturizingPanthenol, Hydrogenated jojoba oil + 8 moreWorks well
“The skin-building phase helps restore skin barrier functions via delivering essential nutrients to the skin.”
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:
panthenol.
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: beeswax, dimethicone.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol
Anti-agingSide benefit · Glycolic acid, Retinyl palmitate + 1 moreWorks 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: retinyl palmitate.
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, Retinyl palmitateWorks well
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: glycolic 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: retinyl palmitate.
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Humulus lupulus extract, Melissa officinalis leaf extract + 2 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Methylpropanediol~6.4–7.8%
Hydrogenated jojoba oil~4.1–5.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrogenated jojoba oilStearic acid~2.8–3.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidPumice~2.4–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Milled volcanic rock. Used as an abrasive for physical exfoliation
More about PumiceC12-15 alkyl benzoate~1.9–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Enhances the product texture and makes it more spreadable. Helps reduce water loss from the outer layer of skin. Extands the shelf life by preventing bacteria growth
More about C12-15 alkyl benzoateGlycolic acid~1.6–2%
- 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 acidAloe barbadensis leaf juice~1.4–1.7%
- 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 juicePrunus amygdalus dulcis fruit extract~1.1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helianthus annuus seed extract~0.8–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Olea europaea fruit extract~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 extractFoeniculum vulgare fruit extract~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Humulus lupulus extract~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
Hops extract. Can contain common irritants and allergens geraniol, limonene, linalool
More about Humulus lupulus extractMelissa officinalis leaf extract~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that is added for its fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Melissa officinalis leaf extractViscum album leaf extract~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties and might help neutralize free radicals in skin, but solid research is lacking
More about Viscum album leaf extractChamomilla recutita flower extract~0.45–0.65%
- 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 flower extractAchillea millefolium extract~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. Can be used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Achillea millefolium extractAllantoin~0.3–0.6%
- 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 AllantoinRetinyl palmitate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
More about Retinyl palmitateTocopheryl acetate~0.3–0.55%
- 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 acetatePeg-100 stearate~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateGlyceryl stearate~0.3–0.5%
- 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 stearatePanthenol~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolDimethicone~0.25–0.45%
- 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 DimethiconeBeeswax~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Forms a protective barrier that holds water and keeps dry skin hydrated. Keeps an emulsion from separating into its oil and liquid components, and increases the thickness of a product. Can be an allergen
More about BeeswaxXanthan gum~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumSodium stearoyl glutamate~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl glutamateTrisodium edta~0.05–0.1%
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolEthylhexylglycerin~0.05%
Ingredient list view
Water, Methylpropanediol, Hydrogenated jojoba oil, Stearic acid, Pumice, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Glycolic acid, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Prunus amygdalus dulcis fruit extract, Helianthus annuus seed extract, Olea europaea fruit extract, Foeniculum vulgare fruit extract, Humulus lupulus extract, Melissa officinalis leaf extract, Viscum album leaf extract, Chamomilla recutita flower extract, Achillea millefolium extract, Allantoin, Retinyl palmitate, Tocopheryl acetate, Peg-100 stearate, Glyceryl stearate, Panthenol, Dimethicone, Beeswax, Xanthan gum, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Trisodium edta, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
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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.
| Dr. DeneseFirming Facial MicroDermabrasion CreamYOUR PRODUCT | SkinstitutGlycolic Scrub 14% | First Aid BeautyAll That FAB | Paula's choiceSkin Perfecting 8% AHA Lotion | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 53% | 51% | 51% |
| Price | $29.99 | $30.90+$0.91 | — | $34.00+$4.01 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 7 | 4 of 7 | 4 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Mineral Oil | Colloidal Oatmeal | Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | High | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Nivea Derma Skin Clear Chemical ExfoliatorDr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pad - Intense Glow
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 11 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3
- 4Triterpenes from natural sources for parenteral and topical applicationthieme-connect.com
- 5
- 6
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