Works for
CleansingNo ingredient credited for this claimCan be harsh
“Ideal for use after cleansing to remove traces of dirt, oil and makeup, and before moisturizing to prepare the skin for treatment.”
This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin.
Keep in mind that cleansing can disrupt the skin barrier, and most people do not need to cleanse their skin more than once per day.
ExfoliationSide benefit the brand mentions · Lactic acidWorks well
“Purify pores and remove dead skin cells with this astringent lactic and citric acid toner.”
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: lactic acid.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Salvia officinalis leaf extract, Calendula officinalis flower extractMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Lactic acid~4.1–6.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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)
More about Lactic acidCitric acid~3.5–5.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidGlycerin~2.6–3.9%
- 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 GlycerinAloe barbadensis leaf juice~2–3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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 juiceHydrastis canadensis extract~1.4–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cucumis sativus fruit extract~1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be somewhat helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals but its typical concentration in a product is too low for having an effect
More about Cucumis sativus fruit extractSalvia officinalis leaf extract~0.85–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Sage leaf extract. It can be irritating
More about Salvia officinalis leaf extractCalendula officinalis flower extract~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that has some anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties. Can be irritating
More about Calendula officinalis flower extractArctium lappa root extract~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract. Has some anti-microbial and anti-oxidant properties. Can be irritating
More about Arctium lappa root extractPaullinia cupana seed extract~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Hedera helix leaf/stem extract~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tetrasodium edta~0.05–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Water, Lactic acid, Citric acid, Glycerin, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Hydrastis canadensis extract, Cucumis sativus fruit extract, Salvia officinalis leaf extract, Calendula officinalis flower extract, Arctium lappa root extract, Paullinia cupana seed extract, Hedera helix leaf/stem extract, Tetrasodium edta
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
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.
| PCA SKINSmoothing TonerYOUR PRODUCT | BeautycounterAll Bright Triple Acid AHA Toner | SanexZero % Sensitive Skin Shower Gel | BaleaMed Ultra Sensitive Cleansing Foam | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 62% | 58% | 57% |
| Price | — | — | $1.51 | $4.69 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Cocamidopropyl Betaine | Panthenol |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Simple Smoothing Gel Cleanser with 5% AHA and Hyaluronic AcidSkinstitut L-Lactic Cleanser 4%
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 8 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skinpdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 3
- 4Allergic contact dermatitis caused by Salvia officinalis extractpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5
- 6
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.