Works for
ExfoliationLactic acid, Polylactic acidWorks well
“This radiance revealing enzyme peel resurfaces for smoother, softer skin, and a healthy looking glow.”
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.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · Lactic acidWorks well
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: lactic 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.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · Lactic acid, Helianthus annuus seed oil + 11 moreWorks
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:
lactic acid, hydrogenated starch hydrolysate.
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: helianthus annuus seed oil, cetearyl alcohol.
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · Lactic acid, Ascorbyl palmitate + 1 moreMay help
This product contains lactic acid. This ingredient 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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Hamamelis virginiana water, Carica papaya fruit extract + 2 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Lactic acid~4.8–5.9%
- 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 acidPolylactic acid~4.1–5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used as an abrasive ingredient for physical (mechanical) exfoliation
More about Polylactic acidHelianthus annuus seed oil~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilCetearyl alcohol~2.3–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholPropanediol~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolCeteareth-20~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient properties
More about Ceteareth-20Hamamelis virginiana water~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating
More about Hamamelis virginiana waterPanax ginseng root extract~1.2–1.4%
- 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 extractCarica papaya fruit extract~0.9–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Saccharum officinarum extract~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sugar extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharum officinarum extractAcer saccharum extract~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that contains small percentage of AHAs. Is unlikely to have any skin benefit due the small concentration of the active compounds
More about Acer saccharum extractCucumis sativus fruit extract~0.5–0.75%
- 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 extractCitrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract~0.45–0.65%
- 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 extractCitrus limon fruit extract~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and cause photosensitivity
More about Citrus limon fruit extractVaccinium myrtillus fruit extract~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin, but research on its efficacy in skin is lacking
More about Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extractHydroxyethylcellulose~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures
More about HydroxyethylcellulosePolyglyceryl-3 cocoate~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-3 cocoateButylene glycol~0.3–0.55%
- 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 glycolMaltooligosyl glucoside~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps water and oil mix together and can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Maltooligosyl glucosideGlyceryl stearate~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearatePeg-100 stearate~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateCaprylic/capric triglyceride~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideDipentaerythrityl tri-polyhydroxystearate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Hydrogenated starch hydrolysate~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Can add sweet taste to lip products
More about Hydrogenated starch hydrolysatePhenoxyethanol~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCaprylyl glycol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolSodium hydroxide~0.2–0.4%
Xanthan gum~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumPolyglyceryl-4 caprate~0.2–0.4%
Polyglyceryl-6 caprylate~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-6 caprylatePolyglyceryl-6 ricinoleate~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-6 ricinoleatePentylene glycol~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolSorbic acid~0.1–0.2%
Hydroxyphenyl propamidobenzoic acid~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might help to reduce inflammation in skin, but solid research is lacking
More about Hydroxyphenyl propamidobenzoic acidAscorbyl palmitate~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable and can penetrate the skin better than L-Ascorbic acid. It is effective in protecting the skin from free radicals, as well as evening the skin tone, but is less effective in stimulating collagen production compared to L-Ascorbic acid.
More about Ascorbyl palmitateBenzoic acid~0.1–0.2%
Tocopherol~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolIngredient list view
Water, Lactic acid, Polylactic acid, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Cetearyl alcohol, Propanediol, Ceteareth-20, Unknown, Hamamelis virginiana water, Panax ginseng root extract, Carica papaya fruit extract, Saccharum officinarum extract, Acer saccharum extract, Cucumis sativus fruit extract, Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract, Citrus limon fruit extract, Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polyglyceryl-3 cocoate, Butylene glycol, Maltooligosyl glucoside, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Dipentaerythrityl tri-polyhydroxystearate, Hydrogenated starch hydrolysate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl glycol, Sodium hydroxide, Xanthan gum, Polyglyceryl-4 caprate, Polyglyceryl-6 caprylate, Polyglyceryl-6 ricinoleate, Pentylene glycol, Sorbic acid, Hydroxyphenyl propamidobenzoic acid, Ascorbyl palmitate, Benzoic acid, Tocopherol
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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.
| PixiSkintreats Peel PolishYOUR PRODUCT | NaturiumVegan Lactic Acid Emulsion 5% | Herbivore BotanicalsMilky Way 10% AHA + Oat Soothing Exfoliating Serum | HerbivoreMilky Way 10% AHA + Oat Soothing Exfoliating Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 60% | 59% | 59% |
| Price | — | — | $58.00 | $55.45 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 4 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Gluconolactone | Gluconolactone |
| Irritancy | High | Low | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: ZO Skin Health Exfoliation AcceleratorGlo Skin Beauty Hydra-Bright Pro 5 Liquid Exfoliant
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 16 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
- 4
- 5Effect of topically applied lipids on surfactant-irritated skinonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 6
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