Works for
ExfoliationGluconolactone, Lactic acid + 2 moreWorks well
“A concentrated multi-acid mask for weekly resurfacing.”
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, lactic acid, mandelic acid, salicylic acid.
MoisturizingGluconolactone, Lactic acid + 5 moreWorks
“— Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii (AcquaSeal® Algae): helps renew and hydrate skin, rare at retail”
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, lactic acid.
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: helianthus annuus seed oil, simmondsia chinensis seed oil.
Anti-agingSide benefit the brand mentions · Gluconolactone, Lactic acidWorks well
“Penetrates below skin’s surface to repair damage on a cellular level, preventing the appearance of future damage and premature aging.”
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: lactic 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 toneSide benefit the brand mentions · Gluconolactone, Lactic acid + 2 moreWorks well
“Brightens skin overall, diminishing hyperpigmentation and dullness, while restoring vibrancy to skin tone.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: gluconolactone, lactic acid, mandelic acid, salicylic 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.
Anti-blemishSide benefit · Salicylic acid, Gluconolactone + 3 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: salicylic acid. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: gluconolactone, mandelic acid
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Gluconolactone, Ginkgo biloba leaf extract + 2 moreMay help
This product contains antioxidants (ginkgo biloba leaf extract, 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 flagged ingredientsMedium 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%
Gluconolactone~4.5–6.8%
- 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 GluconolactonePrunus persica kernel oil~3.9–5.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Lactic acid~2.7–4%
- 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~2.1–3.1%
- 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 GlycerinIsoamyl laurate~1.7–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps stabilize emulsions and create a nice product texture
More about Isoamyl laurateSimmondsia chinensis seed oil~1.5–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Softens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.
More about Simmondsia chinensis seed oilBentonite~1.3–1.9%
Malic acid~1–1.5%
Cetearyl olivate~0.8–1.25%
Salicylic acid~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
More about Salicylic acidSorbitan olivate~0.45–1%
Undaria pinnatifida cell culture extract~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Mandelic acid~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps shed the upper layer of dead cells from the surface of the skin revealing smoother, brighter skin. It can help to reduce hyperpigmentation. It has anti-bacterial properties, and might help to reduce blemishes, as well as fine lines and wrinkles. It is considered to be gentler than glycolic acid
More about Mandelic acidChlamydomonas reinhardtii extract~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helianthus annuus seed oil~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilDisodium acetyl glucosamine phosphate~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Magnesium chloride~0.2–0.8%
Melia azadirachta flower extract~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might be helpful to neutralize free radicals in skin
More about Melia azadirachta flower extractCurcuma longa root extract~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can contain an active compound curcumin, that may have some anti-inflammatory properties when applied to the skin, but solid research is lacking and the typical concentration used in skincare products is too low. Can be an irritant
More about Curcuma longa root extractGinkgo biloba leaf extract~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals and reduce inflammation in skin. It can be irritating
More about Ginkgo biloba leaf extractAvena sativa kernel extract~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An effective moisturizing and skin barrier repair ingredient. Helps calm down inflammation and has some anti-oxidant properties
More about Avena sativa kernel extractIsoamyl cocoate~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent
More about Isoamyl cocoateLysolecithin~0.1–0.5%
- 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 LysolecithinSilica~0.2–0.7%
Sclerotium gum~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create gel-like formulas and stabilize emulsions
More about Sclerotium gumPotassium sorbate~0.05–0.3%
Xanthan gum~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumPullulan~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
Creates a thin drying film on the skin resulting in a short-term tightening effect
More about PullulanLeuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A preservative that comes from radishes fermented by a bacteria. New research suggests that the preservation properties in the ingredient come from an ammonium salt that is not present naturally in radish root but used in its cultivation. Is problematic because the exact amount of the preservative agents is difficult to determine
More about Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrateSodium hydroxide~0.05–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Gluconolactone, Prunus persica kernel oil, Lactic acid, Glycerin, Isoamyl laurate, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Bentonite, Malic acid, Cetearyl olivate, Salicylic acid, Sorbitan olivate, Undaria pinnatifida cell culture extract, Mandelic acid, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii extract, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Disodium acetyl glucosamine phosphate, Magnesium chloride, Melia azadirachta flower extract, Curcuma longa root extract, Ginkgo biloba leaf extract, Avena sativa kernel extract, Isoamyl cocoate, Lysolecithin, Silica, Sclerotium gum, Potassium sorbate, Xanthan gum, Pullulan, Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, Sodium hydroxide
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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.
| HoliFrogKosi Multi-Acid MaskYOUR PRODUCT | Deviant SkincareGentle Resurfacing Liquid | Be MinimalistAHA PHA BHA 32% | GlossierSolution | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 90% | 87% | 86% |
| Price | — | $52.00 | $15.65 | $30.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 9 | 5 of 9 | 4 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Glycolic Acid | Glycolic Acid | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Naturopathica Sweet Cherry Brightening Enzyme PeelEcooking Peeling Mask
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 27 studies and safety reviews.
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