Works for
Evens skin toneGlycolic acidWorks well
“10% Glycolic Complex is a resurfacing concentrate designed to refine the appearance of skin for a smoother, more even complexion.”
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 acidWorks well
“This effective AHA gently exfoliates the surface layer of the skin, encouraging cell turnover and blurring the appearance of wrinkles to reveal a brighter, more radiant complexion.”
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-agingGlycolic acidWorks well
“This effective AHA gently exfoliates the surface layer of the skin, encouraging cell turnover and blurring the appearance of wrinkles to reveal a brighter, more radiant complexion.”
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.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Panthenol, Saccharum officinarum extract + 3 moreWorks well
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": panthenol, 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: panthenol
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy9 strong irritants: Parfum, Limonene + 7 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Butylene glycol~6.7–8.2%
- 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~4.4–5.4%
- 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 acidBabassu oil glycereth-8 esters~2.8–3.5%
Olive oil peg-7 esters~2.4–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent
More about Olive oil peg-7 estersAlmond oil peg-8 esters~2–2.5%
Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil~1.7–2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oilIsopropyl palmitate~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
More about Isopropyl palmitateSodium hydroxide~1.2–1.4%
Phenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPanthenol~0.7–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolParfum~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumBenzyl alcohol~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholLimonene~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneLecithin~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinGeraniol~0.35–0.65%
Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract~0.35–0.65%
- 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 extractDisodium edta~0.3–0.6%
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.3–0.55%
Linalool~0.2–0.4%
Saccharum officinarum extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sugar extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharum officinarum extractDehydroacetic acid~0.2–0.35%
Swertia chirata extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that can have an anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effect, but evidence of effectiveness is lacking
More about Swertia chirata extractCitrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract~0.2–0.35%
- 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~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and cause photosensitivity
More about Citrus limon fruit extractAcer saccharum extract~0.15–0.25%
- 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 extractCitral~0.1–0.2%
Citronellol~0.1–0.15%
Farnesol~0.05–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Water, Butylene glycol, Glycolic acid, Babassu oil glycereth-8 esters, Olive oil peg-7 esters, Almond oil peg-8 esters, Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, Isopropyl palmitate, Sodium hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Panthenol, Parfum, Benzyl alcohol, Limonene, Lecithin, Geraniol, Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract, Disodium edta, Ethylhexylglycerin, Linalool, Saccharum officinarum extract, Dehydroacetic acid, Swertia chirata extract, Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract, Citrus limon fruit extract, Acer saccharum extract, Citral, Citronellol, Farnesol
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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.
| RodialGlycolic 10% Booster DropsYOUR PRODUCT | Shani Darden Skin CareLactic Acid Exfoliating Serum | REVOLUTION SKINCAREAHA Bump Eraser Serum | NINE LESSMolecule-Clear 5% Glycolic Acid Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 68% | 64% | 63% |
| Price | — | $72.16 | — | $14.46 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 3 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 3 |
| Key difference | — | Gluconolactone | Salicylic Acid | Allantoin |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: MEDI-PEEL AHA BHA Alpha Arbutin AmpouleCOSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 17 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3
- 4
- 5Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Isopropyl Isostearatejournals.sagepub.com
- 6Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
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