Works for
ExfoliationLactic acid, Tartaric acidWorks well
“This fluid gel-serum, packed with natural resurfacing actives, is a powerful yet gentle exfoliator and the essential first step in any serious skin treatment system.”
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.
Anti-agingLactic acidMay help
“Greet the morning with a youthful glow and skin that’s fresh, smooth and silky to touch.”
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.
Evens skin toneSide benefit · Lactic acidWorks well
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.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Lactic acid, Glycerin + 4 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-oxidationSide benefit · Tartaric acid, Lonicera japonica flower extract + 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?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Lactobacillus/papaya fruit ferment extract, Citrus limon fruit extract + 2 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%
Propanediol~4.6–7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolLactobacillus/papaya fruit ferment extract~3.7–5.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Tapioca starch~2.9–4.3%
Lactic acid~2.2–3.3%
- 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 acidGlycerin~1.9–2.9%
- 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 GlycerinBetaine~1.5–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about BetaineMorinda citrifolia fruit extract~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Polyquaternium-37~1.1–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product finish
More about Polyquaternium-37Leontopodium alpinum meristem cell culture~0.85–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hydrolyzed grape fruit~0.55–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hydrolyzed wheat bran~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pyrus malus fruit extract~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can have some moisturizing properties due to its sugar content
More about Pyrus malus fruit extractTartaric acid~0.4–0.9%
- 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 acidCitrus limon fruit extract~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and cause photosensitivity
More about Citrus limon fruit extractLonicera caprifolium flower extract~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin. Can contain volalite oils and be irritating
More about Lonicera caprifolium flower extractLonicera japonica flower extract~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin. Can contain volalite oils and be irritating
More about Lonicera japonica flower extractParfum~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumSodium lactate~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the product
More about Sodium lactateCitric acid~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidSodium anisate~0.1–0.35%
Sodium benzoate~0.05–0.25%
Potassium sorbate~0.05–0.25%
Xanthan gum~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumIngredient list view
Water, Propanediol, Lactobacillus/papaya fruit ferment extract, Tapioca starch, Lactic acid, Glycerin, Betaine, Morinda citrifolia fruit extract, Polyquaternium-37, Leontopodium alpinum meristem cell culture, Hydrolyzed grape fruit, Hydrolyzed wheat bran, Pyrus malus fruit extract, Tartaric acid, Citrus limon fruit extract, Lonicera caprifolium flower extract, Lonicera japonica flower extract, Parfum, Sodium lactate, Citric acid, Sodium anisate, Sodium benzoate, Potassium sorbate, Xanthan gum
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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.
| ElixseriOpening ActYOUR PRODUCT | Herbivore BotanicalsMilky Way 10% AHA + Oat Soothing Exfoliating Serum | HerbivoreMilky Way 10% AHA + Oat Soothing Exfoliating Serum | Glo Skin BeautyHydra-Bright Pro 5 Liquid Exfoliant | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 66% | 66% | 60% |
| Price | — | — | — | $14.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 5 | 4 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
| Key difference | — | Gluconolactone | Gluconolactone | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Clinique Clarifying Do-Over PeelOrigins Youthtopia Refining Apple Peel
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
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6Method of treating wrinkles using tartaric acidpatents.google.com
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