PRODUCT REVIEW
Cheaper alternatives
What can the product work for?
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
Infused with potent Vitamin C, this fast-acting formula visibly brightens dull-looking skin in one use, while Hyaluronic Acid plumps skin with hydration.
trehalose
0.25% -
0.4%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
A sugar that attracts water to the upper layer of the skin
algae extract
0.3% -
0.55%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Plant extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but research is not extensive yet
glycerin
0.25% -
0.5%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
Show more
Anti-oxidation
tartaric acid
1.8% -
2.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
MEDIUM
An AHA (alpha-hydroxy acid). It oxidizes quickly which makes it less effective in skincare formulations. It can support skin's barrier and moisture levels
coffea arabica seed extract
0.35% -
0.6%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals in skin
caffeine
0.25% -
0.45%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals. Can have a dehydration effect that might somewhat decrease the look of puffy eyes
Show more
Anti-aging
What does the product description say?
Infused with Vitamin C plus a 5% Retexturizing Complex, the formula noticeably smooths skin and reduces the look of pores over time.
algae extract
0.3% -
0.55%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
Plant extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but research is not extensive yet
tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate
0.25% -
0.45%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.
lactic acid
1.3% -
1.6%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
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)
Exfoliation
What does the product description say?
As the product activates on skin, you may experience minor sloughing upon application; superficial dead skin cells are combining with the product and being lifted off to unveil smoother, brighter skin.
tartaric acid
1.8% -
2.2%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
MEDIUM
An AHA (alpha-hydroxy acid). It oxidizes quickly which makes it less effective in skincare formulations. It can support skin's barrier and moisture levels
salicylic acid
0.25% -
0.5%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
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)
lactic acid
1.3% -
1.6%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
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)
Honesty check
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Moisturizing | |
| Anti-aging | |
| Exfoliation |
Total Promises Fulfilled score:
58/100.
Buy now
We receive a small commission for purchases made through these links at no cost for you. Thank you for your support! Learn more
US Retailers
CA Retailers
AU Retailers
UK Retailers
Can it cause trouble?
- Overall product irritation risk
- Acne & comedogenic risk ingredients: 2
Potential irritants
citrus grandis peel oil
1% -
1.2%
Irritation risk:
A plant oil with high content of volatile compounds that, especially when exposed to air, can cause allergic reactions and irritate the skin
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
algae extract
0.3% -
0.55%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-aging
Plant extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but research is not extensive yet
plankton extract
0.2% -
0.35%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing
Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
User reviews (0)
Similar products & dupes
 Origins - GinZing Into the Glow Brightening Serum |  Drunk Elephant - T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum Sponsored |  Paula's choice - Resist Advanced Smoothing Treatment 10% AHA |  The INKEY List CA - Lactic Acid Exfoliant |  Ultraceuticals - Even Skintone Smoothing Serum Mild |  Skin proud - Daily AHA BHA Detox Tonic with Glycolic, Lactic and Salicylic Acid |  Erno Laszlo - AHA Resurfacing Sleep Serum |  GLAMGLOW - SUPERSERUM™ 6-Acid Refining Treatment Serum |  Beauty Drops - AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling |  Facile - Clear Serum |  REVOLUTION SKINCARE - Multi Acid AHA and BHA Peel Serum |  Consonant - Maximum Glycolic Meta Serum | |
| Price | ||||||||||||
| WIMJ similarity score |
79%
|
89%
|
88%
|
86%
|
85%
|
85%
|
85%
|
84%
|
84%
|
84%
|
84%
| |
| Key ingredients |
| Common:
Other: | Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other: | Common:
Other: | Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other: | Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other:
| Common:
Other: | Common:
Other: | Common:
Other:
|
| Irritancy | IRRITANCY
HIGH
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
HIGH
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
LOW
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
| IRRITANCY
MEDIUM
|
| Potential Irritants |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| All ingredients |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ingredients & concentrations
All ingredients
Key Actives
salicylic acid
0.25% -
0.5%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Exfoliation,
Anti-blemish,
Anti-inflammatory,
Antibacterial,
Evens skin tone
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)
lactic acid
1.3% -
1.6%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Exfoliation,
Evens skin tone,
Anti-aging
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)
Show more
Potential irritants
citrus grandis peel oil
1% -
1.2%
Irritation risk:
A plant oil with high content of volatile compounds that, especially when exposed to air, can cause allergic reactions and irritate the skin
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
algae extract
0.3% -
0.55%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-aging
Plant extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but research is not extensive yet
plankton extract
0.2% -
0.35%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing
Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
All ingredients
butylene glycol
5.5% -
6.7%
Irritation risk:
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
Show more
Ingredient list view
Water, Butylene glycol, C9-12 alkane, Citric acid, Sodium hydroxide, Tartaric acid, Sodium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate, Lactic acid, Citrus grandis peel oil, Citrus limon peel oil, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil, Mentha viridis leaf oil, Citral, Linalool, Limonene, Panax ginseng root extract, Coffea arabica seed extract, Carica papaya fruit extract, Pyruvic acid, Salicylic acid, Caffeine, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Tocopheryl acetate, Avena sativa kernel extract, Sodium hyaluronate, Trehalose, Squalane, Glycerin, Algae extract, Menthol, Lecithin, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Xanthan gum, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Polysorbate 20, Polysorbate 60, Ppg-5-ceteth-20, Plankton extract, Caprylyl glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Bht, Phenoxyethanol, Citrus aurantium dulcis oil
Sources
- Control of keratinization with á-hydroxy acids and related compounds: I. Topical treatment of ichthyotic disorders
- Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skin
- Method of treating wrinkles using tartaric acid
- Impact of the condition of storage of tartaric acid solutions on the production and stability of glyoxylic acid
- Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acid
- Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skin
- Ginseng in Dermatology: A Review
- Antiaging effects of the mixture of Panax ginseng and Crataegus pinnatifida in human dermal fibroblasts and healthy human skin
- Effect of green Coffea arabica L. seed oil on extracellular matrix components and water-channel expression in in vitro and ex vivo human skin models
- Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive review
- Beta Hydroxy Acids
- A review of toxicity from topical salicylic acid preparations
- Glycolic Acid Peels Versus Salicylic–Mandelic Acid Peels in Active Acne Vulgaris and Post‐Acne Scarring and Hyperpigmentation: A Comparative Study
- Double-blind, half-face study comparing topical vitamin C and vehicle for rejuvenation of photodamage
- Application of tetra-isopalmitoyl ascorbic acid in cosmetic formulations: Stability studies and in vivo efficacy
- Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging
- Hyaluronan (Hyaluronic Acid): a natural moisturizer for skin care
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
- Safety Assessment of Alkyl Esters as Used in Cosmetics
- Safety Assessment of Citrus-Derived Peel Oils as Used in Cosmetics
- Oxidized citrus oil (R-limonene): A frequent skin sensitizer in Europe