Works for
ExfoliationGlycolic acid, UreaWorks well
“Enriched with 5% glycolic acid – a natural derivative of sugar cane, and member of the alpha-hydroxy acid family – this gentle, exfoliating formula reveals the ‘new’ healthy skin cells underneath those less-than-fresh ones.”
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.
MoisturizingUrea, Panthenol + 11 moreWorks well
“Aloe then soothes and hydrates while oxygenating ginseng promotes cell health and skin vibrancy; witch hazel firms and tones, while horse chestnut boosts blood flow, to grant your complexion a naturally fresh and dewy radiance.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": alanine, aspartic acid.
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, urea
Evens skin toneSide benefit · Glycolic acid, AlanineWorks well
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: glycolic acid
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually can help even out the skin tone: alanine.
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-agingSide benefit · Glycolic acid, Aspartic acid + 1 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains glycolic acid.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: aspartic 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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy5 strong irritants: Hamamelis virginiana water, Hexyl nicotinate + 3 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Glycolic acid~4.9–7.4%
- 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 acidSodium hydroxide~3.7–5.6%
Butylene glycol~2.7–4%
- 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 glycolGlycerin~2.1–3.2%
- 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~1.7–2.5%
- 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 juiceHamamelis virginiana water~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating
More about Hamamelis virginiana waterAesculus hippocastanum seed extract~1.2–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract. Might have some anti-oxidant properties. Can be irritating
More about Aesculus hippocastanum seed extractHexylene glycol~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a more spreadable product texture
More about Hexylene glycolFructose~0.85–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about FructoseGlucose~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Could be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function
More about GlucoseSucrose~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In crystal form, it can work as a gentle exfoliant, gentler than the salt scrub. Helps stabilize the emulsion
More about SucroseUrea~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin (urea makes up about 7% of natural moisturizing factors in skin). Attracts water to the upper layer of the skin. Also has a positive effect on the skin barrier beyond the humectant action. Can enhance penetration of other ingredients. Is an exfoliating ingredient when used in high concentrations
More about UreaDextrin~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A sugar that is used to stabilize the product formulation. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about DextrinAlanine~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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 AlanineGlutamic acid~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino-acid that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Glutamic acidAspartic acid~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino-acid that helps increase skin hydration and might help to slightly improve skin firmness, potentially reducing lines and wrinkles
More about Aspartic acidHexyl nicotinate~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
Might be able to enhance blood flow in the skin. Can be irritating and result in skin redness
More about Hexyl nicotinatePanax ginseng root extract~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might have some anti-inflammatory properties, but solid evidence is lacking. It can be irritating
More about Panax ginseng root extractEthylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.65%
Disodium edta~0.15–0.6%
Biotin~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might have some moisturising properties. Is not effective when applied topically beyond some moisturizing effect
More about BiotinPanthenol~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolPpg-26-buteth-26~0.15–0.55%
Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oilPhenoxyethanol~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolParfum~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumCaramel~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Benzyl benzoate~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
Fragrance with sweet balsamic smell. Help to preserve products and dissolve other ingredients. Could trigger allergic reactions and be irritating
More about Benzyl benzoateHexyl cinnamal~0.05–0.2%
Ci 14700~0.05–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Glycolic acid, Sodium hydroxide, Butylene glycol, Glycerin, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Hamamelis virginiana water, Aesculus hippocastanum seed extract, Hexylene glycol, Fructose, Glucose, Sucrose, Urea, Dextrin, Alanine, Glutamic acid, Aspartic acid, Hexyl nicotinate, Panax ginseng root extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium edta, Biotin, Panthenol, Ppg-26-buteth-26, Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, Caramel, Benzyl benzoate, Hexyl cinnamal, Ci 14700
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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.
| PixiGlow Tonic OrnamentYOUR PRODUCT | The OrdinaryMini Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating and Brightening Daily Toner | MenScienceAdvanced Acne Face Tonic | SkinfoodPineapple Peeling Gel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 60% | 59% | 56% |
| Price | $15.00 | $7.57−$7.43 | $37.56+$22.56 | $9.58−$5.42 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 9 of 10 | 4 of 10 | 2 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Glycine | Lactic Acid | Allantoin |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Secret Key Hyaluron Aqua Soft TonerSkin Resource.MD Visibly Moist Toner
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 19 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
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