ELEMIS Dynamic Gentle Resurfacing Pads with Lactic Acid
Works for
Evens skin toneLactic acidWorks well
“Lactic Acid: Gently exfoliating AHA improves the look of skin tone and texture.”
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.
ExfoliationLactic acid, PapainWorks well
“A daily exfoliation pad that's clinically shown to physically lift dead cells and support skin's natural cell turnover for a radiant complexion.”
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.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Lactococcus ferment lysate, Methyl gluceth-20 + 8 moreWorks
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": betaine, glycerin.
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-agingSide benefit · Lactic acid, Lactococcus ferment lysate + 1 moreMay 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?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: ParfumMedium risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Butylene glycol~6.6–8%
- 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 glycolLactococcus ferment lysate~4.4–5.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Consists of remains of dead bacteria cells. Is likely helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin. Might be helpful in reducing inflammation and neutralizing free radicals in skin
More about Lactococcus ferment lysatePolysorbate 20~2.8–3.4%
Methyl gluceth-20~2.3–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and soften it
More about Methyl gluceth-20Lactic acid~1.9–2.3%
- 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 acidPhenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolBetaine~1.3–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about BetaineSodium hydroxide~1.1–1.4%
Propylene glycol~0.8–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolDisodium edta~0.65–0.95%
Benzoic acid~0.25–0.5%
Parfum~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumDehydroacetic acid~0.4–0.6%
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.4–0.6%
Papain~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
An enzyme extracted from papaya fruit. Can have an exfoliating effect on the skin. Can be irritating
More about PapainSaponins~0.5–0.75%
Sodium benzoate~0.25–0.5%
Sodium chloride~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideGlycerin~0.25–0.5%
- 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 GlycerinBehenyl alcohol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholButyrospermum parkii butter~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
More about Butyrospermum parkii butterHydrogenated castor oil~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant oil that can help soften the skin. It might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but solid research is lacking. Is often used in lip products to create the needed product consistency
More about Hydrogenated castor oilStearyl alcohol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Stearyl alcoholPoria cocos extract~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Protease~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Saponaria officinalis leaf extract~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Subtilisin~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tocopheryl acetate~0.1–0.15%
- 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 acetateIngredient list view
Water, Butylene glycol, Lactococcus ferment lysate, Polysorbate 20, Methyl gluceth-20, Lactic acid, Phenoxyethanol, Betaine, Sodium hydroxide, Propylene glycol, Disodium edta, Benzoic acid, Parfum, Dehydroacetic acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Papain, Saponins, Sodium benzoate, Sodium chloride, Glycerin, Behenyl alcohol, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Hydrogenated castor oil, Stearyl alcohol, Poria cocos extract, Protease, Saponaria officinalis leaf extract, Subtilisin, Tocopheryl acetate
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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.
| ELEMISDynamic Gentle Resurfacing Pads with Lactic AcidYOUR PRODUCT | Kerstin FlorianCorrecting At-Home Professional Peel 50 pc | Summer FridaysGentle Reset Daily Exfoliating Pads | Youth To The PeopleKombucha + 10% AHA Liquid Exfoliant with Lactic Acid and Glycolic Acid | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 57% | 55% | 54% |
| Price | $69.00 | $73.35+$4.35 | $40.52−$28.48 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 5 | 3 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
| Key difference | — | Salicylic Acid | Glycolic Acid | Glycolic Acid |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Medium | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: CosMedix Prep & Reset Dual-Sided Lactic Acid Exfoliating Facial PadsREVOLUTION SKINCARE Revolution Skin Mild Skin Exfoliator - 5% Lactic Acid + Hyaluronic Acid
Product summary
"ELEMIS - Dynamic Gentle Resurfacing Pads with Lactic Acid" could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- This product contains acids (lactic acid 1.90% - 2.30%). Their concentration is low, and they will not have a strong exfoliating effect. Instead, they work to support the skin natural acid mantle and to attract water (as humectants). Lactic acid is particularly good in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin and improving the skin barrier.
- Humectants (glycerin 0.25% - 0.50% and betaine 1.30% - 1.60%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 10 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
- 3Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 6
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