REVOLUTION SKINCARE 5% Glycolic Acid Tonic
Works for
Evens skin toneGlycolic acidWorks well
“Formulated with Ginseng a brightening antioxidant, Aloe Vera to soothe and condition, and Witch Hazel to tighten pores.”
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.
ExfoliationGlycolic acid, UreaWorks well
“This exfoliating skincare saviour works to cleanse and condition your skin.”
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.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Urea, Glycerin + 2 moreWorks well
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).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: urea
Anti-agingSide benefit · Glycolic acid, Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceWorks 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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy8 strong irritants: Hamamelis virginiana water, Alcohol + 6 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%
Butylene glycol~5.7–8.6%
- 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~3.9–5.9%
- 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 acidHamamelis virginiana water~2.6–4%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating
More about Hamamelis virginiana waterPoloxamer 184~2–3%
Dipropylene glycol~1.6–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
More about Dipropylene glycolPeg-40 hydrogenated castor oil~1.4–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oilBenzyl alcohol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholSodium hydroxide~1–1.5%
Alcohol~0.8–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties
More about AlcoholSodium cocoamphoacetate~0.8–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent. Creates foam
More about Sodium cocoamphoacetateDisodium cocoamphodiacetate~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent
More about Disodium cocoamphodiacetateUrea~0.35–0.85%
- 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 UreaSodium chloride~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideParfum~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumDehydroacetic acid~0.3–0.6%
Disodium edta~0.2–0.75%
Glycerin~0.2–0.75%
- 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 GlycerinPanax ginseng root extract~0.15–0.6%
- 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 extractAloe barbadensis leaf juice~0.1–0.5%
- 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 juiceCoumarin~0.1–0.4%
Linalool~0.1–0.4%
Benzyl salicylate~0.1–0.3%
Butylphenyl methylpropional~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. Can trigger allergic reactions and be irritating
More about Butylphenyl methylpropionalSodium benzoate~0.05–0.25%
Citronellol~0.05–0.2%
Potassium sorbate~0.05–0.25%
Ci 15985~0.05–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Butylene glycol, Glycolic acid, Hamamelis virginiana water, Poloxamer 184, Dipropylene glycol, Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, Benzyl alcohol, Sodium hydroxide, Alcohol, Sodium cocoamphoacetate, Disodium cocoamphodiacetate, Urea, Sodium chloride, Parfum, Dehydroacetic acid, Disodium edta, Glycerin, Panax ginseng root extract, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Coumarin, Linalool, Benzyl salicylate, Butylphenyl methylpropional, Sodium benzoate, Citronellol, Potassium sorbate, Ci 15985
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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.
| REVOLUTION SKINCARE5% Glycolic Acid TonicYOUR PRODUCT | The OrdinaryMini Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating and Brightening Daily Toner | PixiGlow Tonic | ISDINIsdinceutics Night Peel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 67% | 66% | 66% |
| Price | — | $7.57 | $13.38 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 |
| Key difference | — | Aspartic Acid | Panthenol | Saccharide Isomerate |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | High | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Murad Exclusive Vitamin C Triple Exfoliating Facial PeelMenScience Advanced Acne Face Tonic
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 9 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3
- 4
- 5Topical urea in skincare: A reviewpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6
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