Holika Holika Tangerine Refreshing Essence 96% Soothing Gel
Works for
Anti-agingGlycolic acid, Lactic acidWorks well
“In addition, product is packed with Cooling Soother™ complex including kelp, yam and aloe extracts, which protect skin from environmental changes and control also skin's temperature, in result preventing thermal skin aging.”
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.
ExfoliationGlycolic acid, Tartaric acid + 2 moreWorks well
“A fruit-powered AHA complex that offers gentle exfoliation of dead, dull skin cells to help improve the look of skin tone and texture.”
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.
Evens skin toneGlycolic acid, Lactic acidWorks well
“A fruit-powered AHA complex that offers gentle exfoliation of dead, dull skin cells to help improve the look of skin tone and texture.”
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.
MoisturizingGlycerin, Glycosyl trehalose + 10 moreWorks
“Gel also includes ectoin, which is an effective defender component against temperature fluctuation, UV irradiation, dehydration, the action of irritating chemicals.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, trehalose.
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, Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extractMay 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?
Irritancy6 strong irritants: Citrus tangerina extract, Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract + 4 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Butylene glycol~6.6–8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolGlycereth-26~4.1–5%
Glycerin~3.1–3.8%
- 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 GlycerinCitrus tangerina extract~2.3–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
1,2-hexanediol~0.7–1%
Sodium carbomer~1.7–2.1%
Glycosyl trehalose~1.5–1.8%
Hydrogenated starch hydrolysate~1.2–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Can add sweet taste to lip products
More about Hydrogenated starch hydrolysateAllantoin~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinTrehalose~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A sugar that attracts water to the upper layer of the skin
More about TrehaloseAloe barbadensis leaf extract~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf extractDioscorea japonica root extract~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Laminaria japonica extract~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Seaweed extract that might help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and have some anti-oxidant properties
More about Laminaria japonica extractEctoin~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Softens the upper layer of the skin and can support skin barrier function
More about EctoinAcer saccharum extract~0.35–0.65%
- 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 extractSaccharum officinarum extract~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sugar extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharum officinarum extractVaccinium myrtillus fruit extract~0.3–0.55%
- 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 extractCitrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract~0.3–0.5%
- 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~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and cause photosensitivity
More about Citrus limon fruit extractPeg-60 hydrogenated castor oil~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-60 hydrogenated castor oilLactic acid~0.25–0.45%
- 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 acidGlycolic acid~0.25–0.45%
- 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 acidCitric 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 acidMalic acid~0.2–0.4%
Tartaric acid~0.2–0.4%
- 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 acidEthylhexylglycerin~0.2–0.35%
Disodium edta~0.15–0.3%
Phenoxyethanol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCi 15985~0.15–0.25%
Parfum~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumLimonene~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 LimoneneLinalool~0.05–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Water, Butylene glycol, Glycereth-26, Glycerin, Citrus tangerina extract, 1,2-hexanediol, Sodium carbomer, Glycosyl trehalose, Hydrogenated starch hydrolysate, Allantoin, Trehalose, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Dioscorea japonica root extract, Laminaria japonica extract, Ectoin, Acer saccharum extract, Saccharum officinarum extract, Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract, Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract, Citrus limon fruit extract, Peg-60 hydrogenated castor oil, Lactic acid, Glycolic acid, Citric acid, Malic acid, Tartaric acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium edta, Phenoxyethanol, Ci 15985, Parfum, Limonene, Linalool
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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.
| Holika HolikaTangerine Refreshing Essence 96% Soothing GelYOUR PRODUCT | CeraVeBlemish Control Gel Moisturiser with 2% Salicylic Acid & Niacinamide for Blemish-Prone Skin | QMS MedicosmeticsActive Exfoliant 11 % Resurfacing Fluid | SuperciliumPrep Peel Gel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 55% | 54% | 53% |
| Price | — | $11.89 | $120.31 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 10 | 5 of 10 | 4 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Panthenol | Sodium Lactate |
| Irritancy | High | Low | Medium | High |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: ZO Skin Health Exfoliation AcceleratorClinique iD: Moisturizer + Concentrate for Pores & Uneven Texture
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 18 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Safety assessment of hydrogenated starch hydrolysatesncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5
- 6
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