
“Surrender to soft, smooth skin with this powerful yet gentle 3-in-1 resurfacing sérum comprised of 8% vegan lactic acid, a trifecta of bioactive flower acids and polyhydroxy acid to exfoliate, brighten, stimulate cell renewal and dramatically retexturize overnight.”
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: lactic acid.
“This transformative, maritime-rich formula is brimming with proprietary algae, microalgae and aqueous herbs that visibly tighten, strengthen the hydrolipidic barrier and retain 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:
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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, chondrus crispus extract.
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: lactic 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.
This product contains antioxidants (haematococcus pluvialis extract) 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.
This product contains lactic acid. This ingredient might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works.


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Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Red algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Palmaria palmata extractAn 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 acidUsed to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolA good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideAn oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
More about SqualaneA plant oil that contains essential oils that can be irritating. Can help soften the upper layer of the skin. Might have some anti-oxidant activity but evidence is lacking
More about Silybum marianum seed oilAn emollient that can also help water and oil mix together, as well as prevent bacteria growth in products
More about Glyceryl caprylateOne 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 GlycerinHelps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl glutamateA plant extract that can be irritating. It might contain a compound anthocyanin that could be helpful in neutralizing free radicals
More about Hibiscus sabdariffa flower extractA plant extract. Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Bellis perennis flower extractA plant extract used to conceal the smell of other ingredients in a product. Has anti-microbial properties. Can be irritating
More about Helichrysum italicum extractA microalgae extract that helps to attact water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Nannochloropsis oculata extractAn algae extract that can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Might have an anti-oxidant effect in skin but evidence is lacking
More about Porphyra umbilicalis extractRed algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and create a nicer product consistency
More about Chondrus crispus extractGreen algae extract that might contain antioxidant astaxanthin
More about Haematococcus pluvialis extractAn effective moisturizing and skin barrier repair ingredient. Helps calm down inflammation and has some anti-oxidant properties
More about Avena sativa kernel extractA 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 oilA plant oil that is effective in reducing irritation in skin, restore the barrier function and support its hydration
More about Borago officinalis seed oilHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and can support skin barrier function
More about Oenothera biennis oilAn emollient. Can be helpful for restoring skin barrier function.
More about Ribes nigrum seed oilA 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 GluconolactoneUsed to create gel-like formulas and stabilize emulsions
More about Sclerotium gumUsed to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidPalmaria palmata extract, Lactic acid, Pentylene glycol, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Cetearyl olivate, Squalane, Silybum marianum seed oil, Water, Sorbitan olivate, Glyceryl caprylate, Glycerin, Sodium hydroxide, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Hibiscus sabdariffa flower extract, Bellis perennis flower extract, Helichrysum italicum extract, Nannochloropsis oculata extract, Porphyra umbilicalis extract, Chondrus crispus extract, Gigartina stellata extract, Haematococcus pluvialis extract, Avena sativa kernel extract, Salicornia herbacea extract, Limonium gerberi extract, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Borago officinalis seed oil, Oenothera biennis oil, Ribes nigrum seed oil, Gluconolactone, Caprylhydroxamic acid, Sodium phytate, Sclerotium gum, Xanthan gum, 1,2-hexanediol, Citric acid
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
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.
| Mara BeautyFlower Acid Algae SerumYOUR PRODUCT | Herbivore BotanicalsMilky Way 10% AHA + Oat Soothing Exfoliating Serum | HerbivoreMilky Way 10% AHA + Oat Soothing Exfoliating Serum | hellobubbleMoon Walk GENTLE EXFOLIATING SERUM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 57% | 57% | 57% |
| Price | $74.00 | $58.00−$16.00 | $55.45−$18.55 | $17.00−$57.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 11 | 4 of 11 | 4 of 11 |
| Key difference | — | Gluconolactone | Gluconolactone | Azelaic Acid |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: ARCONA Advanced A SerumDrunk Elephant Protini Powerpeptide Resurf Serum
"MARA - Flower Acid Algae Serum" is effective for: Exfoliation and Evens skin tone
This product could be helpful for: Anti-aging and Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
The product retails for 74.00$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 32 studies and safety reviews.
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