Works for
Evens skin toneLactic acid, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid + 2 moreWorks well
“... working to lessen the look of fine lines and hyperpigmentation without the use of fragrances or sulphates.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic 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: 3-o-ethyl ascorbic 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-agingLactic acid, Glycolic acid + 1 moreWorks well
“... working to lessen the look of fine lines and hyperpigmentation without the use of fragrances or sulphates.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains glycolic acid.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: lactic 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.
ExfoliationLactic acid, Glycolic acid + 1 moreWorks well
“Using a trio of fruit-derived alpha- and beta- hydroxy acids (glycolic, salicylic and lactic), this 10% AHA exfoliant is an innovative chemical peel that sloughs away dead skin to reveal a bright and even complexion.”
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, lactic acid, salicylic acid.
Anti-blemishSide benefit · Salicylic acid, Glycolic acidWorks well
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: salicylic acid. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: glycolic acid
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, ErgothioneineMay help
This product contains antioxidants (3-o-ethyl ascorbic 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.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Arginine, Lactic acid + 2 moreWorks
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:
arginine, betaine.
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: arginine, pentylene glycol.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Parfum, Melissa officinalis leaf extractMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Arginine~6.1–9.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino acid that is naturally present in skin and helps keep it hydrated. When used together with AHAs, it can reduce their irritating effect on the skin
More about ArginineLactic acid~3.6–5.4%
- 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 acid3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid~2.8–4.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Can help neutralize free radicals and help reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
More about 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acidGlycolic acid~2–3%
- 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 acidPolyglyceryl-5 laurate~1.6–2.4%
Betaine~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about BetainePentylene glycol~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolPyruvic acid~0.9–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Xanthan gum~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumParfum~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumSalicylic acid~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
More about Salicylic acidDisodium rutinyl disulfate~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hordeum distichon extract~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Melissa officinalis leaf extract~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that is added for its fragrance. Can be irritating
More about Melissa officinalis leaf extractSodium benzoate~0.1–0.3%
Phenoxyethanol~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCitric acid~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidErgothioneine~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can help neutralize free radicals in skin. Preliminary studies show that it can be more effective than coenzyme Q10 but studies on effective concentration for topical applications are lacking
More about ErgothioneineIngredient list view
Water, Arginine, Lactic acid, 3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid, Glycolic acid, Polyglyceryl-5 laurate, Betaine, Pentylene glycol, Pyruvic acid, Xanthan gum, Parfum, Salicylic acid, Disodium rutinyl disulfate, Hordeum distichon extract, Melissa officinalis leaf extract, Sodium benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Citric acid, Ergothioneine
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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.
| MDOThe ExfoliantYOUR PRODUCT | BABORREFINE RX AHA 10+ 10 Peeling Gel | Deviant SkincareGentle Resurfacing Liquid | GlossierSolution | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 100% | 87% | 87% |
| Price | — | — | $52.00 | $30.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 6 | 3 of 6 | 3 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | — | Gluconolactone | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: EmerginC Triple-Threat PeelBeauty Drops AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 12 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skinpdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 3
- 4
- 5Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6
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