NEOSTRATA Ultra Skin Smoothing Cream AHA 10
Works for
ExfoliationGlycolic acidWorks well
“Citric Acid (AHA/BHA) Citric Acid is found naturally in citrus fruits and is a powerful Alpha/Beta Hydroxy Acid that has antioxidant and corrective antiaging effects, helping to minimize the visible signs of photodamage.”
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.
Anti-agingGlycolic acid, Acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester + 1 moreWorks well
“This 10% Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) moisturizer combines Glycolic and Citric Acids to reduce signs of aging.”
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: acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester.
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.
MoisturizingAcetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester, C12-15 alkyl benzoate + 10 moreWorks well
“Ultra Skin Smoothing Cream AHA 10”
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, 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: arginine, dimethiconol.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester
Evens skin toneGlycolic acidWorks well
“Glycolic Acid (AHA) Glycolic Acid is a natural constituent of sugar cane and normalizes the skin's exfoliation process refining the appearance of pore size and smoothing the look of fine lines and wrinkles as it re-texturizes skin.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: glycolic 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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: ParfumMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
C12-15 alkyl benzoate~5.8–7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Enhances the product texture and makes it more spreadable. Helps reduce water loss from the outer layer of skin. Extands the shelf life by preventing bacteria growth
More about C12-15 alkyl benzoateGlycolic acid~4.2–5.1%
- 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 acidGlycerin~3.2–3.9%
- 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 GlycerinCetyl alcohol~2.4–3%
- 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 alcoholButylene glycol~2–2.4%
- 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 glycolCyclopentasiloxane~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
More about CyclopentasiloxanePeg-100 stearate~1.5–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateTrimethylpentanediol/adipic acid copolymer~1.2–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a nice, clear product finish on the skin
More about Trimethylpentanediol/adipic acid copolymerGlyceryl stearate~1–1.2%
- 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 stearateArginine~0.65–1%
- 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 ArginineSodium hydroxide~0.55–0.85%
Glyceryl dilaurate~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Glyceryl dilaurateCyclohexasiloxane~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that serves as an emollient. Helps create a nice non-greasy feels
More about CyclohexasiloxaneSorbitan stearate~0.45–0.65%
Magnesium aluminum silicate~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might be helpful in restoring skin barrier function and, when combined with zinc carbonate and malonic acid, reducing fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating elastin production. Also helps stabilize the product formulation
More about Magnesium aluminum silicateTitanium dioxide~0.5–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxideSteareth-21~0.45–0.7%
Tocopheryl acetate~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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.
More about Tocopheryl acetateXanthan gum~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumCetyl palmitate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin and is used to improve product texture and stability
More about Cetyl palmitateTriundecanoin~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Caprylyl glycol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolSorbitan laurate~0.2–0.4%
Dimethiconol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that makes products more spreadable and keeps skin smooth. Helps to add gloss to skin and may visually fill in fine lines/wrinkles for short time
More about DimethiconolTetrasodium edta~0.15–0.3%
Hydroxyethylcellulose~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures
More about HydroxyethylcelluloseAcetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester~0.1–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl esterTriethoxycaprylylsilane~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps oil and water mix well together. Helps to disperse other ingredients, e.g. pigments, evenly in a formulation
More about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneParfum~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Water, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Glycolic acid, Glycerin, Cetyl alcohol, Butylene glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Peg-100 stearate, Trimethylpentanediol/adipic acid copolymer, Glyceryl stearate, Arginine, Sodium hydroxide, Glyceryl dilaurate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Sorbitan stearate, Magnesium aluminum silicate, Titanium dioxide, Steareth-21, Tocopheryl acetate, Xanthan gum, Cetyl palmitate, Triundecanoin, Caprylyl glycol, Sorbitan laurate, Dimethiconol, Tetrasodium edta, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Parfum
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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.
| NEOSTRATAUltra Skin Smoothing Cream AHA 10YOUR PRODUCT | FunctionalabGlycolic Acid 10% Night Cream | ExuvianceGlycolic Perfecting Moisturizer | ReversaSkin Smoothing Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 58% | 55% | 52% |
| Price | $55.00 | $98.00+$43.00 | $55.54+$0.54 | $28.44−$26.56 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 7 | 5 of 7 | 2 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Bisabolol | Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride | Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Medium | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Beauty Rx Maximum 15% Exfoliating CreamISDIN Isdinceutics Glicoisdin 8 Soft Peeling Effect Face Cream
Product summary
"NEOSTRATA - Ultra Skin Smoothing Cream AHA 10" is effective for: Exfoliation, Anti-aging, Moisturizing and Evens skin tone
Ingredient callouts
- Exfoliating acids (glycolic acid 4.20% - 5.10%). In this concentration, they will have a noticeable exfoliating effect. They can also have an anti-aging effect and stimulate collagen production in a long-run.
- This moisturizer also contains Peptides (acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester 0.10% - 0.25%). Peptides are a very big group of ingredients. They all consist of a different combination of aminoacids. Our skin produces Peptides naturally. Some of them work as natural antibiotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The scientists are still studying how effective the topical application of Peptides is, but it is very likely that they are helpful. Peptides might be able to support skin barrier restoration and even have an anti-aging benefit. At the very least, they certainly help attract water to the skin and support the hydration in this way.
Price
The product retails from 35.00£ up to 57.00£ in the United Kingdom, from 52.00$ up to 55.00$ in the United States and for 62.40CA$ in Canada.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 6 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
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