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Pacifica Beauty Clean Shot Vegan Amino Acid 10% Complex
Pacifica Beauty

Pacifica Beauty Clean Shot Vegan Amino Acid 10% Complex

Efficacy75/100IrritancyMedium
See all ingredients

Works for

Moisturizing
Betaine, Glutamic acid + 11 more
Works
What the product description says
“Dehydrated and stressed skin , meet your match!”
Source: Pacifica

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: alanine, arginine.

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.

BetaineKey active· HumectantEffect: HighHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture~5.1–7.7%
Glutamic acidKey active· HumectantEffect: HighAn amino-acid that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin~2.8–4.2%
Lysine hclKey activeEffect: High~2.1–3.2%
ThreonineKey activeEffect: HighAn amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In combination with other amino-acids, might help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles~1.7–2.5%
ArginineKey active· Humectant, OcclusiveEffect: HighAn 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~1.5–2.2%
ProlineKey activeEffect: Medium~1.3–1.9%
SerineKey activeEffect: HighAn amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In combination with other amino-acids, might help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles~1–1.5%
AlanineKey active· HumectantEffect: HighAn amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might help to lighten the skin, but solid evidence is lacking~0.8–1.25%
GlycineKey active· HumectantEffect: HighHelps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help restore the skin barrier function~0.5–1.15%
Sodium pcaKey active· HumectantEffect: HighNaturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer~0.3–0.7%
Sodium lactateKey active· HumectantEffect: HighHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the product~0.3–0.75%
PcaKey active· HumectantEffect: HighNaturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer~0.15–0.65%
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice· HumectantEffect: LowTraditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin~3.8–5.7%
Anti-aging
Not advertised by the brand · Threonine, Serine + 1 more
May help

This product contains serine, threonine. These ingredients might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works.

ThreonineKey activeEffect: MediumAn amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In combination with other amino-acids, might help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles~1.7–2.5%
SerineKey activeEffect: MediumAn amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In combination with other amino-acids, might help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles~1–1.5%
Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceEffect: LowTraditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin~3.8–5.7%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
1 strong irritant: Parfum
Medium risk
We flagged 8 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Melia azadirachta leaf extractA plant extract that has anti-bacterial properties. Can be used to preserve the product. Can be irritatingHigh~0.2–0.75%est.
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.05–0.15%est.
Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceTraditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skinMedium~3.8–5.7%est.
Sodium lactateHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the productMedium~0.3–0.75%est.
Melia azadirachta flower extractA plant extract that might be helpful to neutralize free radicals in skinMedium~0.2–0.75%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.1–0.5%est.
Potassium sorbateA preservativeMedium~0.1–0.45%est.
EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~0.1–0.3%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged

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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
Betaine~5.1–7.7%
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
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice~3.8–5.7%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingReduces rednessReduces irritationAntibacterialAnti-inflammatoryAnti-blemishAnti-aging

Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin

More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juice
Glutamic acid~2.8–4.2%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

An amino-acid that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Glutamic acid
Lysine hcl~2.1–3.2%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing
More about Lysine hcl
Threonine~1.7–2.5%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-aging

An amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In combination with other amino-acids, might help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles

More about Threonine
Arginine~1.5–2.2%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
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

More about Arginine
Proline~1.3–1.9%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing
More about Proline
Serine~1–1.5%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-aging

An amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In combination with other amino-acids, might help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles

More about Serine
Alanine~0.8–1.25%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingEvens skin tone

An amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might help to lighten the skin, but solid evidence is lacking

More about Alanine
Glycine~0.5–1.15%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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

More about Glycine
Hydroxyethylcellulose~0.45–1.05%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures

More about Hydroxyethylcellulose
Sclerotium gum~0.35–0.85%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to create gel-like formulas and stabilize emulsions

More about Sclerotium gum
Xanthan gum~0.35–0.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Sodium pca~0.3–0.7%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer

More about Sodium pca
Sodium lactate~0.3–0.75%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the product

More about Sodium lactate
Melia azadirachta leaf extract~0.2–0.75%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
AntibacterialAnti-blemish

A plant extract that has anti-bacterial properties. Can be used to preserve the product. Can be irritating

More about Melia azadirachta leaf extract
Melia azadirachta flower extract~0.2–0.75%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidation

A plant extract that might be helpful to neutralize free radicals in skin

More about Melia azadirachta flower extract
Pca~0.15–0.65%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer

More about Pca
Disodium phosphate~0.15–0.55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Helps adjust the product pH and stabilize the formulation

More about Disodium phosphate
Polysorbate 20~0.15–0.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Polysorbate 20
Citric acid~0.1–0.5%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

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

More about Citric acid
Potassium sorbate~0.1–0.45%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Potassium sorbate
Sodium benzoate~0.1–0.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Sodium benzoate
Sodium phosphate~0.1–0.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Helps stabilize the product formulation

More about Sodium phosphate
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Parfum~0.05–0.15%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Our scent blend with , /or
Not recognized
Ingredient list view

Water, Betaine, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Glutamic acid, Lysine hcl, Threonine, Arginine, Proline, Serine, Alanine, Glycine, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sclerotium gum, Xanthan gum, Sodium pca, Sodium lactate, Melia azadirachta leaf extract, Melia azadirachta flower extract, Pca, Disodium phosphate, Polysorbate 20, Citric acid, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate, Sodium phosphate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Unknown

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Amazon USPrice as of 11/3 22:04 GMT
$12.00
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Pacifica
$12.00
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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
Pacifica BeautyClean Shot Vegan Amino Acid 10% ComplexYOUR PRODUCTACURERESURFACING AMINO ACID SERUMBaleaBeauty Expert Hydrating TonerFaceGymSkin Changer 2-in-1 Exfoliating Succinic Acid and Pumpkin Extract Essence Toner
Match—48%44%43%
Price$12.00——$51.14+$39.14
Shared key ingredients—12 of 1211 of 1211 of 12
Key difference——UreaGluconolactone
Irritancy Medium Low Low Low
Drying alcohol————
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Product summary

"Pacifica - Clean Shot Vegan Amino Acid 10% Complex" could be helpful for: Anti-aging and Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.

Ingredient callouts

  • Humectants (sodium pca 0.30% - 0.70%, sodium lactate 0.30% - 0.75%, pca 0.15% - 0.65%, glutamic acid 2.80% - 4.20%, glycine 0.50% - 1.15%, alanine 0.80% - 1.25%, arginine 1.50% - 2.20% and betaine 5.10% - 7.70%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.

About the brand

According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Pacifica" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.

Price

The product retails for 25.56CA$ in Canada, for 31.68A$ in Australia, from 9.50$ up to 12.00$ in the United States and for 18.66£ in the United Kingdom.

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. 1
    Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide provides improvement in photoaged human facial skinonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  2. 2
    Combination of amino acids reduces pigmentation in B16F0 melanoma cellsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    Effect of Topical Application of Glycine and Proline on Recalcitrant Leg Ulcers of Prolidase Deficiencyjamanetwork.com
  4. 4
    Functional glycine receptor in cultured human keratinocytesonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  5. 5
    Melia azedarachmdedge.com
  6. 6
    Preliminary and Pharmacological Profile of Melia azedarach L.: An Overviewjapsonline.com
Pacifica Beauty Clean Shot Vegan Amino Acid 10% Complex
Pacifica BeautyClean Shot Vegan Amino Acid 10% Complex
Buy at Pacifica$12.00$12.00as of 11/3 22:04 GMT

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

Buy at Pacifica$12.00$12.00as of 11/3 22:04 GMT

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.