Works for
ExfoliationGluconolactone, Salix alba bark extractWorks well
“The gentle yet powerful essence sweeps away dead skin cells, impurities, and residual make-up leaving skin fresh and bright.”
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: gluconolactone.
Evens skin toneGluconolactoneWorks well
“This formula transforms rough textures into silky-soft radiance, resurfaces an even tone, and restores your skin’s natural glow.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: gluconolactone
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.
Anti-agingGluconolactone, Prunus amygdalus dulcis oil + 2 moreWorks well
“Also included is skin softening Bio Retinol, Rainbow Algae that illuminates skin, and Marine Ferment to refine the look of pores.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains gluconolactone.
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.
MoisturizingGluconolactone, Prunus amygdalus dulcis oil + 9 moreWorks
“Cellular Renew Replenishing Tonic/Essence”
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, sodium hyaluronate.
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, prunus amygdalus dulcis oil.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Gluconolactone, Prunus amygdalus dulcis oil + 3 moreMay help
This product contains antioxidants (gluconolactone) 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?
Irritancy13 strong irritants: Limonene, Citrus aurantium amara leaf/twig oil + 11 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~45–55%
Gluconolactone~4.4–5.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals
More about GluconolactonePrunus amygdalus dulcis oil~4.2–5.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin
More about Prunus amygdalus dulcis oilGlyceryl stearate citrate~2.8–3.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together while softening the upper layer of the skin
More about Glyceryl stearate citrateCaprylic/capric triglyceride~2.4–2.9%
- 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 triglycerideOctyldodecanol~1.8–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation
More about OctyldodecanolGlycerin~1.7–2%
- 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 GlycerinPolyglyceryl-3 stearate~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-3 stearateLevulinic acid~1.1–1.4%
Sodium hydroxide~0.95–1.15%
Pseudoalteromonas ferment extract~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Limonene~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneHydrogenated lecithin~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to retain moisture by creating a protective barrier on the skin. Rich in fatty acids. Improves product texture and helps with the penetration of other ingredients.
More about Hydrogenated lecithinVaccinium myrtillus fruit extract~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin, but research on its efficacy in skin is lacking
More about Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extractXanthan gum~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumCitrus aurantium amara leaf/twig oil~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
Lavandula angustifolia oil~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil. Potential allergen and can be irritating. It has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Lavandula angustifolia oilSalix alba bark extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. It contains a compound salicin that can theoretically be converted into salicylic acid that, in turn, helps reduce inflammation in skin, but the evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking and the extract is usually not used in a concentration that would enable an exfoliating effect
More about Salix alba bark extractLysolecithin~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Lecithin derivative. It helps oil and water mix together and can enhance penetration of other ingredients. It helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LysolecithinSclerotium gum~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create gel-like formulas and stabilize emulsions
More about Sclerotium gumSodium gluconate~0.25–0.45%
Sodium stearoyl glutamate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl glutamateParfum~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumSodium levulinate~0.2–0.4%
Pelargonium graveolens oil~0.2–0.4%
Sodium benzoate~0.2–0.4%
Vigna aconitifolia seed extract~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Linalool~0.2–0.35%
Saccharum officinarum extract~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sugar extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharum officinarum extractCitric acid~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidSodium hyaluronate~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronatePullulan~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
Creates a thin drying film on the skin resulting in a short-term tightening effect
More about PullulanMaltodextrin~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil
More about MaltodextrinCitrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that is used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and lead to photosensitivity
More about Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extractCitrus limon fruit extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and cause photosensitivity
More about Citrus limon fruit extractAmyris balsamifera bark oil~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Citrus aurantium amara flower oil~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Citrus aurantium amara flower oilCitrus aurantium dulcis peel oil~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essentil oil from orange peel. Potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oilSantalum album oil~0.2–0.35%
Geraniol~0.15–0.3%
Acer saccharum extract~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that contains small percentage of AHAs. Is unlikely to have any skin benefit due the small concentration of the active compounds
More about Acer saccharum extractSilica~0.3–0.5%
Cystoseira tamariscifolia extract~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium salicylate~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
The salt of salicylic acid. Helps exfoliate the upper layer of the skin. Can also work to preserve cosmetic products
More about Sodium salicylateTocopherol~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolCitral~0.15–0.25%
Moringa oleifera seed oil~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin. Is unlikely to be helpful in restoring skin barrier function due to the low content of linoleic acid
More about Moringa oleifera seed oilParfum~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Water, Gluconolactone, Prunus amygdalus dulcis oil, Glyceryl stearate citrate, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Octyldodecanol, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-3 stearate, Levulinic acid, Sodium hydroxide, Pseudoalteromonas ferment extract, Limonene, Hydrogenated lecithin, Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract, Xanthan gum, Citrus aurantium amara leaf/twig oil, Lavandula angustifolia oil, Salix alba bark extract, Lysolecithin, Sclerotium gum, Sodium gluconate, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Parfum, Sodium levulinate, Pelargonium graveolens oil, Sodium benzoate, Vigna aconitifolia seed extract, Linalool, Saccharum officinarum extract, Citric acid, Sodium hyaluronate, Pullulan, Maltodextrin, Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract, Citrus limon fruit extract, Amyris balsamifera bark oil, Citrus aurantium amara flower oil, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil, Santalum album oil, Geraniol, Acer saccharum extract, Silica, Cystoseira tamariscifolia extract, Sodium salicylate, Tocopherol, Citral, Moringa oleifera seed oil, Parfum
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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.
| ESPACellular Renew Replenishing Tonic/EssenceYOUR PRODUCT | ObagiINTENSIVE DAILY REPAIR | Slurp LaboratoriesDecalt | REVOLUTION SKINCAREDehydrated Skin Peeling Solution | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 58% | 55% | 55% |
| Price | — | $90.00 | — | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 6 | 4 of 6 | 3 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Myristoyl Pentapeptide-8 | Salicylic Acid | Dimethicone |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: SEPHORA COLLECTION Glow Peel Pads with AHA + PHAINNBEAUTY PROJECT Down to Tone Life Changing Toner
Product summary
"ESPA - Cellular Renew Replenishing Tonic/Essence" is effective for: Exfoliation, Evens skin tone and Anti-aging
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Exfoliating acids (). In this concentration, they will have a noticeable exfoliating effect. They can also have an anti-aging effect and stimulate collagen production in a long-run. PHAs (gluconolactone 4.40% - 5.30%) in this product also work for improving skin hydration. They might be even able to stimulate the production of skin's natural humectants and support the healthy skin microbiome.
- Humectants (sodium hyaluronate 0.20% - 0.40% and glycerin 1.70% - 2.00%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails for 83.00$ in the United States and from 24.00£ up to 40.00£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 29 studies and safety reviews.
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