Works for
ExfoliationGlycolic acidWorks well
“Microderm Instant Glow Exfoliator”
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.
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · Glycolic acid, Limnanthes alba seed oil + 2 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains glycolic acid.
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 toneNot advertised by the brand · Glycolic acid, Ascorbic acidWorks well
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: glycolic 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.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · Glycerin, Cetearyl alcohol + 9 moreWorks
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:
galactoarabinan, glycerin.
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: squalane, carthamus tinctorius seed oil.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy7 strong irritants: Citrus aurantifolia oil, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil + 5 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Alumina~6.5–7.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
The same compound that is used safely in dental implants and bone cements. In cosmetics, it is used to improve the consistency of products
More about AluminaGlycerin~4.1–5%
- 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 GlycerinCetearyl alcohol~2.5–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholGlycolic acid~2.3–2.8%
- 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 acidHydrated silica~2–2.5%
Limnanthes alba seed oil~1.6–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
This oil's cmposition is closest to rapeseed oil. It is a very stable oil and serves as an emoillient
More about Limnanthes alba seed oilSqualane~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
More about SqualaneGlyceryl stearate~1.1–1.4%
- 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 stearateCetearyl olivate~0.75–1.15%
Sodium hydroxide~0.6–0.9%
Sorbitan olivate~0.55–0.8%
Butyrospermum parkii butter~0.55–0.8%
- 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 butterGarnet powder~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Quartz~0.55–0.85%
Ascorbic acid~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
The most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging
More about Ascorbic acidTerminalia ferdinandiana fruit extract~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant effect in skin, but evidence is lacking
More about Terminalia ferdinandiana fruit extractZiziphus jujuba seed extract~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Terminalia ferdinandiana seed oil~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Terminalia ferdinandiana seed oilOlea europaea leaf extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties but evidence for effectiveness in skin is missing
More about Olea europaea leaf extractCarthamus tinctorius seed oil~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and might help calm down inflammation
More about Carthamus tinctorius seed oilCitrus aurantifolia oil~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essentil oil from orange peel. Potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oilCitrus limon peel oil~0.2–0.4%
Citrus nobilis oil~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Lavandula hybrida oil~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that can be irritating and is a known allergen
More about Lavandula hybrida oilVetiveria zizanoides root oil~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glyceryl caprylate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products
More about Glyceryl caprylateSodium stearoyl glutamate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl glutamateCitric acid~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidPhenethyl alcohol~0.25–0.45%
Xylitol~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and repair the skin barrier function
More about XylitolCaprylic acid~0.3–0.55%
Caprylhydroxamic acid~0.2–0.4%
Galactoarabinan~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about GalactoarabinanDecyl glucoside~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Decyl glucosideLevan~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Dehydroxanthan gum~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create thicker product formulations and stabilize emulsions
More about Dehydroxanthan gumCaprylyl glycol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolCitral~0.05–0.15%
Limonene~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneIngredient list view
Water, Alumina, Glycerin, Cetearyl alcohol, Glycolic acid, Hydrated silica, Limnanthes alba seed oil, Squalane, Glyceryl stearate, Cetearyl olivate, Sodium hydroxide, Sorbitan olivate, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Garnet powder, Quartz, Ascorbic acid, Terminalia ferdinandiana fruit extract, Ziziphus jujuba seed extract, Terminalia ferdinandiana seed oil, Olea europaea leaf extract, Carthamus tinctorius seed oil, Citrus aurantifolia oil, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil, Citrus limon peel oil, Citrus nobilis oil, Lavandula hybrida oil, Vetiveria zizanoides root oil, Glyceryl caprylate, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Citric acid, Phenethyl alcohol, Xylitol, Caprylic acid, Caprylhydroxamic acid, Galactoarabinan, Decyl glucoside, Levan, Dehydroxanthan gum, Caprylyl glycol, Citral, Limonene
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
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.
| goopMicroderm Instant Glow ExfoliatorYOUR PRODUCT | goopGOOPGLOW Microderm Instant Glow Exfoliator | ZO Skin HealthExfoliation Accelerator | BYNACHTÜber Glow Gel Peeling AHA Travel Sizes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 68% | 55% | 53% |
| Price | $125.00 | $42.00−$83.00 | $92.00−$33.00 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 9 of 9 | 4 of 9 | 3 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | — | Lactic Acid | Allantoin |
| Irritancy | High | High | Medium | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Allies of Skin Multi Acids & Retinoid Brightening Sleeping FacialNatura Siberica Blueberry Siberica Face Radiance Revealing Jam Scrub
Product summary
"goop Beauty - Microderm Instant Glow Exfoliator" 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 (glycolic acid 2.30% - 2.80%). 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).
- This product also contains Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid). It can be an effective active for anti-aging and evening out the skin tone, but in this product it is used for stabilizing other ingredients in the formulation. In this concentration (0.40% - 0.60%) it cannot have a noticeable benefit for the skin.
- Humectants (galactoarabinan 0.20% - 0.40%, terminalia ferdinandiana seed oil 0.35% - 0.60% and glycerin 4.10% - 5.00%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "goop Beauty" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 10 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5
- 6
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.