Works for
ExfoliationGlycolic acid, Salix alba bark extractWorks well
“Expert Refine AHA Glycolic Toner”
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, Camellia sinensis leaf extractWorks well
“Refine your skin tone and texture with this instantly gratifying toner.”
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.
Anti-agingSide benefit · Glycolic acid, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice + 1 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.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Glycerin, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice + 2 moreWorks
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, aloe barbadensis leaf juice.
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).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy11 strong irritants: Glycolic acid, Lavandula angustifolia flower water + 9 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~40–60%
Glycolic acid70%
- 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 acidPeg-16 macadamia glycerides~4.9–7.3%
Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil~3.3–5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oilGlycerin~2.6–4%
- 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 GlycerinAloe barbadensis leaf juice~2–3%
- 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 juiceLavandula angustifolia flower water~1.6–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Phenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolHamamelis virginiana water~1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating
More about Hamamelis virginiana waterSodium hydroxide~0.95–1.45%
Alcohol~0.6–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties
More about AlcoholParfum~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumAlpha-isomethyl ionone~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. Potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Alpha-isomethyl iononeCitral~0.35–0.75%
Coumarin~0.3–0.7%
Geraniol~0.15–0.65%
Limonene~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneLinalool~0.1–0.45%
Camellia sinensis leaf extract~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractCucumis sativus fruit extract~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be somewhat helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals but its typical concentration in a product is too low for having an effect
More about Cucumis sativus fruit extractSalix alba bark extract~0.05–0.3%
- 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 extractDisodium edta~0.05–0.2%
Potassium sorbate~0.05–0.2%
Citric acid~0.01–0.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidSodium benzoate~0.05–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Water, Glycolic acid, Peg-16 macadamia glycerides, Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, Glycerin, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Lavandula angustifolia flower water, Phenoxyethanol, Hamamelis virginiana water, Sodium hydroxide, Alcohol, Parfum, Alpha-isomethyl ionone, Citral, Coumarin, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Cucumis sativus fruit extract, Salix alba bark extract, Disodium edta, Potassium sorbate, Citric acid, Sodium benzoate
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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.
| InstitutExpert Refine AHA Glycolic TonerYOUR PRODUCT | ZO Skin HealthExfoliation Accelerator | Deviant SkincareGentle Resurfacing Liquid | Dr Dennis GrossMorning Bright Repair at Night | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 70% | 69% | 65% |
| Price | — | $69.99 | $52.00 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 |
| Key difference | — | Lactic Acid | Salicylic Acid | Retinol |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Low | High |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: First Aid Beauty Ingrown Hair PadsBYNACHT Über Glow Gel Peeling AHA Travel Sizes
Product summary
"Institut - Expert Refine AHA Glycolic Toner" 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
- Humectants (glycerin 2.60% - 4.00%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 8 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
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