NINE LESS

NINE LESS Molecule-Clear 5% Glycolic Acid Serum

Name: NINE LESS - Molecule-Clear 5% Glycolic Acid Serum
Brand: NINE LESS

Efficacy100/100IrritancyMedium

See all ingredients

Works for

Anti-aging

Glycolic acid

Works well

What the product description says

“5% Glycolic Acid formula to deeply refine rough skin, fine lines, and enlarged pores.”

Source: Lila Beauty

This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains glycolic 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.

Glycolic acidKey activeEffect: HighAn 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~5.3–8%

Moisturizing

Panthenol, Sodium hyaluronate + 3 more

Works well

What the product description says

“Infused with Panthenol, Betaine, and Allantoin for hydration, barrier care, and soothing.”

Source: Lila Beauty

This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": betaine, sodium hyaluronate.

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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).

The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol

PanthenolHero· HumectantEffect: HighHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function~0.85–1.3%

Sodium hyaluronateKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.5–1.15%

BetaineKey active· HumectantEffect: HighHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture~0.4–1%

Butylene glycol· HumectantEffect: LowUsed 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~3.5–5.3%

AllantoinUnder-dosedHelps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated~0.15–0.55%

Exfoliation

Glycolic acid, Allantoin

Works well

What the product description says

“Offers an intensive exfoliation to smooth rough skin texture.”

Source: Lila Beauty

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.

AllantoinEffect: Low, below effective doseHelps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated~0.15–0.55%

Evens skin tone

Side benefit the brand mentions · Glycolic acid

Works well

What the product description says

“DESCRIPTION Nine Less Molecule-Clear 5% Glycolic Acid Serum refines uneven skin texture for a smooth finish.”

Source: Lila Beauty

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?

Irritancy

1 strong irritant: Glyoxal

Medium risk

We flagged 6 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

Glycolic acidAn 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 acidHigh~5.3–8%est.

GlyoxalA preservative. Is a formaldehyde-releaser and can be irritatingHigh~0.05–0.15%est.

1,2-hexanediolA preservativeMedium~0.45–1.05%est.

EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~0.15–0.6%est.

Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationMedium~0.1–0.45%est.

Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.01–0.05%est.

Comedogenic

Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients

None flagged

Alternatives

Cheaper, or higher on efficacy

COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid

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Q+A Apple AHA Exfoliating Gel

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Plain old water

More about Water

Glycolic acid~5.3–8%

Key activeIrritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

Evens skin toneExfoliationAnti-agingAnti-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

More about Glycolic acid

Butylene glycol~3.5–5.3%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

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 glycol

Dipropylene glycol~2.5–3.8%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying

More about Dipropylene glycol

Propanediol~2–3.1%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin

More about Propanediol

Sodium hydroxide~1.6–2.3%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide

1,2-hexanediol~0.45–1.05%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

A preservative

More about 1,2-hexanediol

Hydroxyethylcellulose~1.1–1.6%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures

More about Hydroxyethylcellulose

Panthenol~0.85–1.3%

Hero · Moisturizing

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

MoisturizingReduces rednessReduces irritation

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function

More about Panthenol

Sodium hyaluronate~0.5–1.15%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin

More about Sodium hyaluronate

Betaine~0.4–1%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture

More about Betaine

Allantoin~0.15–0.55%

Under-dosed

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

MoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryReduces rednessAnti-blemishReduces irritationExfoliation

Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated

More about Allantoin

Ethylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.6%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin

Disodium edta~0.1–0.45%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Stabilizes the product formulation

More about Disodium edta

Sodium nitrate~0.05–0.25%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

More about Sodium nitrate

Glyoxal~0.05–0.15%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

A preservative. Is a formaldehyde-releaser and can be irritating

More about Glyoxal

Citric acid~0.01–0.05%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid

Ingredient list view

Water, Glycolic acid, Butylene glycol, Dipropylene glycol, Propanediol, Sodium hydroxide, 1,2-hexanediol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Panthenol, Sodium hyaluronate, Betaine, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium edta, Sodium nitrate, Glyoxal, Citric acid

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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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
	NINE LESSMolecule-Clear 5% Glycolic Acid SerumYOUR PRODUCT	COSRXAHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid	REVOLUTION SKINCAREAHA Bump Eraser Serum	Krave BeautyKale-Lalu-yAHA
Match	—	64%	64%	63%
Price	—	$13.40	—	$24.82
Shared key ingredients	—	3 of 5	2 of 5	4 of 5
Key difference	—	Niacinamide	Salicylic Acid	Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Irritancy	Medium	Low	Low	Low
Drying alcohol	—	—	—	—
	View product	Shop	Shop	Shop

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Product summary

"NINE LESS - Buy Nine Less Molecule-Clear 5% Glycolic Acid Serum Australia - Korean Skincare Online" is effective for: Anti-aging, Moisturizing, Exfoliation and Evens skin tone

Ingredient callouts

Exfoliating acids (glycolic acid 5.30% - 8.00%). 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.
An effective concentration of Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) - about 0.85% - 1.30%. Panthenol helps strengthen the skin barrier, improve hydration and reduce inflammation in skin.
Humectants (betaine 0.40% - 1.00%, sodium hyaluronate 0.50% - 1.15% and panthenol 0.85% - 1.30%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.