PRODUCT REVIEW
NEOSTRATA High Potency Cream AHA 20
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Product summary
What can the product work for?
Anti-aging
What does the product description say?
known to help even skin tone, is a natural component of sugar cane that normalizes the skin’s exfoliation process, refining the appearance of pore size and smoothing the look of fine lines and wrinkles as it retexturizes skin.
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
A polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed dead cells from the surface of the skin revealing a smoother, more even skin. PHAs tend to be gentler on the skin compared to AHAs (for example, glycolic acid). It also has hydrating properties and helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. It can help calm down inflammation in skin and support restoration of the barrier function. It has an anti-oxidant effect as well. It can help reduce fine line, wrinkles and improve skin elasticity
glycolic acid
18%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: 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
Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
known to help even skin tone, is a natural component of sugar cane that normalizes the skin’s exfoliation process, refining the appearance of pore size and smoothing the look of fine lines and wrinkles as it retexturizes skin.
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
A polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed dead cells from the surface of the skin revealing a smoother, more even skin. PHAs tend to be gentler on the skin compared to AHAs (for example, glycolic acid). It also has hydrating properties and helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. It can help calm down inflammation in skin and support restoration of the barrier function. It has an anti-oxidant effect as well. It can help reduce fine line, wrinkles and improve skin elasticity
glycolic acid
18%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: 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
Exfoliation
What does the product description say?
Glycolic Acid is known to be the workhorse of the Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) family for those looking to really retexture and refine their skin’s surface.
glycolic acid
18%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: 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
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
A polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed dead cells from the surface of the skin revealing a smoother, more even skin. PHAs tend to be gentler on the skin compared to AHAs (for example, glycolic acid). It also has hydrating properties and helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. It can help calm down inflammation in skin and support restoration of the barrier function. It has an anti-oxidant effect as well. It can help reduce fine line, wrinkles and improve skin elasticity
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
It helps to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles, discoloration, enlarged pores and roughness through gentle exfoliation, while also attracting moisture for added hydration and comfort.
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
A polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed dead cells from the surface of the skin revealing a smoother, more even skin. PHAs tend to be gentler on the skin compared to AHAs (for example, glycolic acid). It also has hydrating properties and helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. It can help calm down inflammation in skin and support restoration of the barrier function. It has an anti-oxidant effect as well. It can help reduce fine line, wrinkles and improve skin elasticity
arginine
5.8% -
8.6%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
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
dimethicone
0.35% -
0.8%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
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Anti-oxidation
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
A polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed dead cells from the surface of the skin revealing a smoother, more even skin. PHAs tend to be gentler on the skin compared to AHAs (for example, glycolic acid). It also has hydrating properties and helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. It can help calm down inflammation in skin and support restoration of the barrier function. It has an anti-oxidant effect as well. It can help reduce fine line, wrinkles and improve skin elasticity
bisabolol
0.15% -
0.55%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
tocopheryl acetate
0.3% -
0.75%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
Honesty check
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Anti-aging | |
| Exfoliation | |
| Moisturizing | |
| Evens skin tone |
Total Promises Fulfilled score:
100/100.
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Can it cause trouble?
- Overall product irritation risk
- Acne & comedogenic risk ingredients: 1
Potential irritants
glycolic acid
18%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-aging,
Evens skin tone,
Exfoliation,
Anti-blemish
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
propylene glycol
2.7% -
4%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
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Comodogenic ingredients
myristic acid
0.3% -
0.75%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Cleansing
Helps oil and water mix together. Could be comedogenic
Similar products & dupes
| NEOSTRATA - High Potency Cream AHA 20 |  Exuviance - Triple Microdermabrasion Face Polish |  Skintech - Peel2Glow Beauty and Boost 2 |  Skin Regimen - Glyco Lacto Peel |  MDSUN - Skin Exfoliation Pads |  Clinique - Clarifying Do-Over Peel |  Eve Lom - Rescue Peel Pads x 60 |  Mesoestetic - Ultimate Micropeel |  Dermadoctor - Physical Chemistry Facial Microdermabrasion and Multi-Acid Peel |  ZO Skin Health - Enzymatic Peel |  RéVive - Glycolic Renewal Peel System | |
| Price | |||||||||||
| WIMJ similarity score |
53%
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53%
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53%
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50%
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48%
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48%
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47%
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45%
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45%
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45%
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| Key ingredients |
| Common:
Other: | Common: Other: | Common: Other: | Common:
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| Irritancy | IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
LOW
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LOW
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
LOW
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LOW
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Ingredients & concentrations
All ingredients
Key Actives
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Exfoliation,
Moisturizing,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-aging,
Anti-oxidation,
Anti-inflammatory,
Anti-blemish
A polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed dead cells from the surface of the skin revealing a smoother, more even skin. PHAs tend to be gentler on the skin compared to AHAs (for example, glycolic acid). It also has hydrating properties and helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. It can help calm down inflammation in skin and support restoration of the barrier function. It has an anti-oxidant effect as well. It can help reduce fine line, wrinkles and improve skin elasticity
glycolic acid
18%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-aging,
Evens skin tone,
Exfoliation,
Anti-blemish
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
Show more
Potential irritants
glycolic acid
18%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-aging,
Evens skin tone,
Exfoliation,
Anti-blemish
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
propylene glycol
2.7% -
4%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
myristic acid
0.3% -
0.75%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Cleansing
Helps oil and water mix together. Could be comedogenic
All ingredients
glycolic acid
18%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-aging,
Evens skin tone,
Exfoliation,
Anti-blemish
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
arginine
5.8% -
8.6%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing
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
Show more
Ingredient list view
Water, Glycolic acid, Arginine, Ammonium hydroxide, Propylene glycol, Isostearic acid, Peg-100 stearate, Lactobionic acid, Isododecane, Isohexadecane, Palmitic acid, Glyceryl stearate, Stearic acid, Cetyl alcohol, Sorbitan stearate, Methylglucamine, Tocopheryl acetate, Dimethicone, Bisabolol, Myristic acid, Xanthan gum, Polyacrylate-1 crosspolymer, Disodium edta, Sodium sulfite, Sodium bisulfite, Bht, Propylparaben, Methylparaben
Sources
- Photoprotective and antiinflammatory effects of topical glycolic acid
- Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current review
- Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skin
- Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitis
- Propylene Glycol
- Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycol
- Lactobionic acid
- Effects of lactobionic acid peel, aluminum oxide crystal microdermabrasion, and both procedures on skin hydration, elasticity, and transepidermal water loss
- Comparative evaluation of skin moisture after topical application of 10% and 30% lactobionic acid
- The use of polyhydroxy acids (PHAs) in photoaged skin
- Dimethicone as a protective ingredient in topical medications
- Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyol
- α-(-)-Bisabolol Reduces Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Production and Ameliorates Skin Inflammation