Works for
ExfoliationGlycolic acidWorks well
“My Payot Micro-Exfoliating Essence”
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-agingSide benefit · Glycolic acid, Lycium barbarum fruit extractWorks well
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.
Evens skin toneSide benefit · Glycolic acidWorks well
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.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Lycium barbarum fruit extract, Euterpe oleracea fruit extractMay help
This product contains antioxidants (lycium barbarum fruit extract) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is some human evidence for this effect in skin, though it is smaller or less consistent than the evidence for the best antioxidants.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Lycium barbarum fruit extract, Glycerin + 2 moreWorks
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, butylene glycol.
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).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Alcohol denat.~7.5–11.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Butylene glycol~3.7–5.6%
- 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 glycolGlycolic acid~2.8–4.2%
- 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 acidPeg-40 hydrogenated castor oil~2–3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oilCitrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract~1.6–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that is used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and lead to photosensitivity
More about Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extractEuterpe oleracea fruit extract~1.3–2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that can have some anti-oxidant effect in skin
More about Euterpe oleracea fruit extractLycium barbarum fruit extract~1.1–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin and attract water to its upper layer
More about Lycium barbarum fruit extractXanthan gum~0.9–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumGlycerin~0.6–1.4%
- 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 GlycerinPropylene glycol~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolPropanediol~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolCitric acid~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidSodium hydroxide~0.15–0.55%
Sodium citrate~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products
More about Sodium citrateSodium benzoate~0.05–0.25%
Potassium sorbate~0.05–0.25%
Parfum~0.01–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Water, Alcohol denat., Butylene glycol, Glycolic acid, Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract, Euterpe oleracea fruit extract, Lycium barbarum fruit extract, Xanthan gum, Glycerin, Propylene glycol, Propanediol, Citric acid, Sodium hydroxide, Sodium citrate, Sodium benzoate, Potassium sorbate, 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.
| PayotMy Payot Micro-Exfoliating EssenceYOUR PRODUCT | skintificAHA BHA PHA Exfoliating Pads | The ElementsABC Exfoliating Peel | CliniqueiD: Moisturizer + Concentrate for Pores & Uneven Texture | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 60% | 60% | 60% |
| Price | — | $18.90 | $10.58 | $50.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 3 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 3 |
| Key difference | — | Salicylic Acid | Salicylic Acid | Lactic Acid |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Skinfood Pineapple Peeling Gelgoop 15% Glycolic Acid Overnight Glow Peel
Product summary
"Payot - My Payot Micro-Exfoliating Essence" is effective for: Exfoliation, Anti-aging and Evens skin tone
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- This product contains acids (glycolic acid 2.80% - 4.20%). Their concentration is low, and they will not have a strong exfoliating effect. Instead, they work to support the skin natural acid mantle and to attract water (as humectants).
- Humectants (glycerin 0.60% - 1.40%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails for 19.10£ 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 15 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
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