La Roche-Posay Glycolic B5 10% Pure Glycolic Acid Serum
Works for
Anti-agingGlycolic acidWorks well
“ANTI-AGING CONCENTRATE, EXFOLIATING, BRIGHTENING: This lightweight glycolic acid serum, suitable for multiple skin tones, helps reduce the look of dark spots and discolorations and reveals brighter, more even looking skin.”
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, Capryloyl salicylic acidWorks well
“Pure glycolic acid serum exfoliates and visibly brightens skin”
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: capryloyl salicylic acid, glycolic acid.
Evens skin toneGlycolic acid, Tranexamic acid + 2 moreWorks well
“Pure glycolic acid serum exfoliates and visibly brightens skin”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: glycolic acid, kojic acid, tranexamic acid
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: capryloyl 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-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Kojic acidWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (kojic acid) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · Panthenol, Tranexamic acid + 1 moreWorks well
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": panthenol, propylene glycol.
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).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Alcohol denat.Medium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
1 of 1 community members would buy it again.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Alcohol denat.~7.9–11.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Glycolic acid~3.9–5.9%
- 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 acidPropylene glycol~2.7–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolPotassium hydroxide~2–3%
Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate~1.5–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurateTranexamic acid~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino acid that is effective in reducing hyperpigmentation and evening out the skin tone. It can also help in skin barrier recovery. It is used to treat melasma, especially with injections and when taken orally
More about Tranexamic acidKojic acid~0.8–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps to reduce hyperpigmentation and neutralize free radicals. Can be irritating
More about Kojic acidC12-13 alkyl lactate~0.55–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hydroxyethylcellulose~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures
More about HydroxyethylcelluloseTrisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve stability of the formulation
More about Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinatePanthenol~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolCapryloyl salicylic acid~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Disodium edta~0.01–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Water, Alcohol denat., Glycolic acid, Propylene glycol, Potassium hydroxide, Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate, Tranexamic acid, Kojic acid, C12-13 alkyl lactate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, Panthenol, Capryloyl salicylic acid, Disodium edta
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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.
| La Roche-PosayGlycolic B5 10% Pure Glycolic Acid SerumYOUR PRODUCT | ISNTREEHyper Acid 4 AHA BHA PHA LHA 30 Serum 20ml | AbibClear Spot Serum 7.325 Pump | RevoxGlycolic Acid 7% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 52% | 52% | 51% |
| Price | $44.99 | $16.50−$28.49 | $14.08−$30.91 | $8.37−$36.62 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 5 | 2 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Azelaic Acid | Urea |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: REVOLUTION SKINCARE AHA Bump Eraser SerumGlyMed Plus Pigment Brightening Serum
Product summary
"La Roche-Posay - Glycolic B5 10% Pure Glycolic Acid Serum" is effective for: Exfoliation, Evens skin tone and Anti-aging
Ingredient callouts
- Exfoliating acids (glycolic acid 3.90% - 5.90%). In this concentration, they will have a noticeable exfoliating effect. They can also have an anti-aging effect and stimulate collagen production in a long-run.
Price
The product retails for 39.99$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 15 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3
- 4Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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