Works for
ExfoliationNo ingredient credited for this claimNot delivered
“Smooth and soften the surface of your skin with the Laura Mercier Refining Crème Polish , a gentle solution to exfoliation.”
This product does not contain effective exfoliating ingredients. It might be able to deliver physical exfoliation, that is scrub off some of the dead cells on the surface of the skin. We do not recommend physical exfoliation, because it is not uniform (some bits of skin can get exfoliated too much while others not at all). It can also traumatize the skin and aggrevate acne and other skin conditions.
MoisturizingSide benefit the brand mentions · Glyceryl stearate se, Helianthus annuus seed oil + 13 moreWorks
“Soothing and calming, the exfoliator works to reduce discomfort while revitalising your skin’s natural balance, never stripping away essential moisture.”
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:
avena sativa kernel flour, 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: helianthus annuus seed oil, avena sativa kernel flour.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy9 strong irritants: Rosa gallica flower extract, Rosa damascena flower oil + 7 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic4 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale4 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Cellulose acetate~4.8–5.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Butylene glycol~4.3–5.2%
- 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 glycolGlyceryl stearate se~2.8–3.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Used to stabilize the product formulations and works as an emollient
More about Glyceryl stearate seStearic acid~2.5–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidGlyceryl stearate~2–2.5%
- 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 stearateHelianthus annuus seed oil~1.8–2.2%
- 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 oilDecyl glucoside~1.5–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Decyl glucosideCetyl alcohol~1.3–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholCetearyl alcohol~1.1–1.3%
- 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 alcoholJojoba esters~0.7–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function
More about Jojoba estersGlycerin~0.6–0.9%
- 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 GlycerinTocopherol~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolMacadamia integrifolia seed oil~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A plant oil that helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Macadamia integrifolia seed oilChamomilla recutita flower extract~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Chamomilla recutita flower extractBorago officinalis seed oil~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A plant oil that is effective in reducing irritation in skin, restore the barrier function and support its hydration
More about Borago officinalis seed oilSea water~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Dissolves other ingredients. It does not have additional skin benefits compared to plain water
More about Sea waterRosa gallica flower extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
Porphyridium cruentum extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A red algae extract. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have an antioxidant effect
More about Porphyridium cruentum extractRosa damascena flower oil~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Rosa damascena flower oilPolyquaternium-39~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product finish
More about Polyquaternium-39Ceteareth-20~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient properties
More about Ceteareth-20Parfum~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumPotassium hydroxide~0.25–0.45%
Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used as a cleansing agent. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaineCarbomer~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerAvena sativa kernel flour~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of colloidal oatmeal. Can contain potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Is effective in supporting skin barrier
More about Avena sativa kernel flourDisodium edta~0.25–0.45%
Propanediol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolBenzyl salicylate~0.2–0.4%
Limonene~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneLinalool~0.2–0.4%
Hydroxycitronellal~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. A likely allergen and can be irritating
More about HydroxycitronellalCitronellol~0.2–0.35%
Geraniol~0.2–0.35%
Phenoxyethanol~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolSodium dehydroacetate~0.2–0.35%
Potassium sorbate~0.15–0.3%
Sorbic acid~0.15–0.25%
Ci 77891~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ci 14700~0.15–0.25%
Ci 19140~0.1–0.15%
Ci 15985~0.1–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Cellulose acetate, Butylene glycol, Glyceryl stearate se, Stearic acid, Glyceryl stearate, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Decyl glucoside, Cetyl alcohol, Cetearyl alcohol, Jojoba esters, Glycerin, Tocopherol, Macadamia integrifolia seed oil, Chamomilla recutita flower extract, Borago officinalis seed oil, Sea water, Rosa gallica flower extract, Porphyridium cruentum extract, Rosa damascena flower oil, Polyquaternium-39, Ceteareth-20, Parfum, Potassium hydroxide, Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, Carbomer, Avena sativa kernel flour, Disodium edta, Propanediol, Benzyl salicylate, Limonene, Linalool, Hydroxycitronellal, Citronellol, Geraniol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium dehydroacetate, Potassium sorbate, Sorbic acid, Ci 77891, Ci 14700, Ci 19140, Ci 15985
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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.
| Laura MercierRefining Crème PolishYOUR PRODUCT | GLOSSYBOXExfoliating Clay Scrub | Pacifica BeautyCocoa Cinnamon Dual Exfoliant | AntipodesReincarnation Pure Facial Exfoliator | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 35% | 33% | 31% |
| Price | — | $13.05 | — | $23.62 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 6 | 3 of 6 | 4 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Glycolic Acid | Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride | Kaolin |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | High |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Josie Maran 5 Minute FacialEstime Sens Instant Radiance Scrub
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 14 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Effect of topically applied lipids on surfactant-irritated skinonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 4
- 5
- 6
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