Works for
ExfoliationGluconolactone, Salix alba bark extractWorks well
“ESPA’s Tri-Active™ Regenerating Resurface & Brighten Mask promotes the skin’s cellular renewal process by offering gentle yet effective exfoliation that eradicates dull cells.”
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.
Anti-agingGluconolactone, Ascorbyl glucosideWorks well
“Wrinkles, lines, pores, and imperfections appear reduced, and a radiant, glowing complexion is restored.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains gluconolactone.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: ascorbyl glucoside.
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.
MoisturizingGlycerin, Gluconolactone + 5 moreWorks
“Skin appears brightened and plumped with this resurfacing formula that brings you visibly smooth, hydrated skin.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid.
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).
Evens skin toneSide benefit · Gluconolactone, Ascorbyl glucosideWorks well
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: gluconolactone
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: ascorbyl glucoside.
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-oxidationSide benefit · Gluconolactone, Ascorbyl glucoside + 3 moreMay help
This product contains antioxidants (ascorbyl glucoside, gluconolactone) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is some human evidence for this effect in skin, though it is smaller or less consistent than the evidence for the best antioxidants.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy12 strong irritants: Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract, Citrus limon fruit extract + 10 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract~5.1–6.2%
- 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 extractGlycerin~4.2–5.1%
- 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 GlycerinGluconolactone~3.1–3.8%
- 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 GluconolactoneSclerotium gum~2.3–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create gel-like formulas and stabilize emulsions
More about Sclerotium gumSodium hydroxide~1.9–2.4%
Acacia senegal gum~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps mask the small of other ingredients and improve the product texture
More about Acacia senegal gumXanthan gum~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumVaccinium myrtillus fruit extract~1.2–1.4%
- 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 extractAscorbyl glucoside~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Has a potential to boost collagen production, nutralise free radicals and reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
More about Ascorbyl glucosideSalix alba bark extract~0.5–0.75%
- 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 extractLevulinic acid~0.5–0.8%
Polyglyceryl-4 caprate~0.55–0.8%
Honey~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the skin and might have some anti-bacterial properties. Can be an allergen
More about HoneySaccharum officinarum extract~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sugar extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharum officinarum extractSodium levulinate~0.4–0.6%
Citric acid~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidHydrolyzed hyaluronic acid~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. A version of it is naturally present in skin
More about Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acidCitrus limon fruit extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and cause photosensitivity
More about Citrus limon fruit extractLimonene~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneDistarch phosphate~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Citrus aurantium amara leaf/twig oil~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Lavandula angustifolia oil~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil. Potential allergen and can be irritating. It has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Lavandula angustifolia oilAcer saccharum extract~0.25–0.45%
- 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 extractParfum~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumPhytic acid~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), but is mostly used to stabilize product formulations in cosmetics
More about Phytic acidPelargonium graveolens oil~0.2–0.4%
Hydrolyzed algin~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Derived from brown algae. Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrolyzed alginLinalool~0.2–0.35%
Raphanus sativus root extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Potassium sorbate~0.2–0.35%
Sea water~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Dissolves other ingredients. It does not have additional skin benefits compared to plain water
More about Sea waterAmyris balsamifera bark oil~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Citrus aurantium amara flower oil~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Citrus aurantium amara flower oilCitrus aurantium dulcis peel oil~0.1–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essentil oil from orange peel. Potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oilSantalum album oil~0.1–0.2%
Geraniol~0.05–0.1%
Chlorella vulgaris extract~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A plant extract that can help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
More about Chlorella vulgaris extractIngredient list view
Water, Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract, Glycerin, Gluconolactone, Sclerotium gum, Sodium hydroxide, Acacia senegal gum, Xanthan gum, Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract, Ascorbyl glucoside, Salix alba bark extract, Levulinic acid, Polyglyceryl-4 caprate, Honey, Saccharum officinarum extract, Sodium levulinate, Citric acid, Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, Citrus limon fruit extract, Limonene, Distarch phosphate, Citrus aurantium amara leaf/twig oil, Lavandula angustifolia oil, Acer saccharum extract, Parfum, Phytic acid, Pelargonium graveolens oil, Hydrolyzed algin, Linalool, Raphanus sativus root extract, Potassium sorbate, Sea water, Amyris balsamifera bark oil, Citrus aurantium amara flower oil, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil, Santalum album oil, Geraniol, Chlorella vulgaris extract
Compare prices
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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.
| ESPARegenerating Resurface & Brightening MaskYOUR PRODUCT | No7Laboratories Resurfacing Skin Paste | HoliFrogKosi Multi-Acid Mask | Comfort ZoneSacred Nature Exfoliant Mask | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 60% | 59% | 59% |
| Price | $72.60 | $23.15−$49.45 | $58.00−$14.60 | $32.91−$39.69 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 5 | 2 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Key difference | — | Glycolic Acid | Salicylic Acid | Arginine |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Typology Coffret Masque Pores Dilatés et Points Noirs — AHA 10 % + PHA 10 %Topicrem MELA Instant Radiance Anti-Spot Mask
Product summary
"ESPA - Regenerating Resurface & Brightening Mask" is effective for: Anti-aging, Exfoliation and Evens skin tone
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- This product contains acids (gluconolactone 3.10% - 3.80%). Their concentration is low, and they will not have a strong exfoliating effect. Instead, they work to support the skin natural acid mantle and to attract water (as humectants). PHAs (gluconolactone) especially are great for improving skin hydration. They might be even able to stimulate the production of skin's natural humectants and support the healthy skin microbiome.
- Humectants (hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid 0.30% - 0.60% and glycerin 4.20% - 5.10%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails from 58.00$ up to 123.00$ in the United States, for 156.00CA$ in Canada, for 81.68A$ in Australia and for 58.00£ 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 28 studies and safety reviews.
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