SkinMedica AHA/BHA Cream
Works for
2 of 4 advertised claims delivered
MoisturizingPanthenol, Squalane + 11 moreStrong evidence
“Enriched with vitamins C and E, this anti-wrinkle cream diminishes fine lines and hyperpigmenation, while nourishing and protecting the skin from free radical damage and promoting elasticity for a rejuvenated complexion.”
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:
glycerin, hydrolyzed soy protein.
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: dimethicone, squalane.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol
ExfoliationSalicylic acidStrong evidence
“SkinMedica AHA/BHA Cream is a rich cream that combines alpha and beta hydroxy acids to deliver effective exfoliation and efficiently remove dead skin cells to reveal fresh, healthy 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: salicylic acid.
Anti-agingMagnesium aluminum silicate, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice + 1 moreLimited evidence
“Enriched with vitamins C and E, this anti-wrinkle cream diminishes fine lines and hyperpigmenation, while nourishing and protecting the skin from free radical damage and promoting elasticity for a rejuvenated complexion.”
This product does not contain ingredients that are able to reduce fine lines and wrinkles or help with skin elasticity, but it can improve the look of the skin temporarily through moisturization. Well-moisturized skin might also be able to repair the sun damage better.This ingredient - magnesium aluminum silicate - could be helpful for preventing or repairing signs of aging in theory, but there is no evidence that it actually works.
Evens skin toneSalicylic acid, Hydrolyzed soy proteinLimited evidence
“Enriched with vitamins C and E, this anti-wrinkle cream diminishes fine lines and hyperpigmenation, while nourishing and protecting the skin from free radical damage and promoting elasticity for a rejuvenated complexion.”
This product might help improve the skin tone through exfoliation. In other words, it helps to speed up the shedding of cells from the upper layer of the skin, and this might help reduce hyperpigmentation.
Anti-blemishNot advertised by the brand · Salicylic acid, Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceStrong evidence
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: salicylic acid. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract, Citrus limon fruit extractMedium 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~45–55%
Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract~10–13%
- 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 extractAloe barbadensis leaf juice~4.7–5.7%
- 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 juiceCetyl ethylhexanoate~3.3–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps soften the skin and creates a thicker product texture
More about Cetyl ethylhexanoateGlycerin~2.5–3.1%
- 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 GlycerinCetyl alcohol~2.1–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholGlyceryl stearate~1.8–2.2%
- 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~1.8–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateSqualane~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
More about SqualaneSaccharum officinarum extract~1.2–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sugar extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharum officinarum extractDimethicone~1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconeStearic acid~1.1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidMagnesium aluminum silicate~0.75–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might be helpful in restoring skin barrier function and, when combined with zinc carbonate and malonic acid, reducing fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating elastin production. Also helps stabilize the product formulation
More about Magnesium aluminum silicateCitrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract~0.65–0.95%
- 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~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and cause photosensitivity
More about Citrus limon fruit extractAcer saccharum extract~0.6–0.85%
- 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 extractSalicylic acid~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
More about Salicylic acidAlthaea officinalis root extract~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might help to reduce inflammation
More about Althaea officinalis root extractChamomilla recutita flower extract~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Chamomilla recutita flower extractHydrolyzed soy protein~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Might have some anti-aging, anti-oxidant, and skin lightening properties, but solid evidence is missing
More about Hydrolyzed soy proteinTocopheryl acetate~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateAscorbyl palmitate~0.45–0.65%
- 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 palmitatePanthenol~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolBisabolol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
More about BisabololPolysorbate 20~0.35–0.65%
Polyacrylate-13~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the product formulation
More about Polyacrylate-13Polyisobutene~0.3–0.5%
Butylene glycol~0.2–0.35%
- 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 glycolXanthan gum~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumAminomethyl propanol~0.15–0.25%
Phenoxyethanol~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolEthylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.2%
Potassium sorbate~0.1–0.2%
Ingredient list view
Water, Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Cetyl ethylhexanoate, Glycerin, Cetyl alcohol, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Squalane, Saccharum officinarum extract, Dimethicone, Stearic acid, Magnesium aluminum silicate, Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract, Citrus limon fruit extract, Acer saccharum extract, Salicylic acid, Althaea officinalis root extract, Chamomilla recutita flower extract, Hydrolyzed soy protein, Tocopheryl acetate, Ascorbyl palmitate, Panthenol, Bisabolol, Polysorbate 20, Polyacrylate-13, Polyisobutene, Butylene glycol, Xanthan gum, Aminomethyl propanol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium sorbate
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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.
| SkinMedicaAHA/BHA CreamYOUR PRODUCT | The Jojoba CompanyIntense Overnight Renewal Cream | Colleen Rothschild BeautyWeightless Moisturizer | B. KaminsLactic-10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 87% | 83% | 83% |
| Price | $39.12 | $46.75+$7.63 | — | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 8 | 4 of 8 | 3 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Butyrospermum Parkii Butter | Niacinamide | Lactic Acid |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
"SkinMedica - AHA/BHA Cream" is effective for: Anti-inflammatory and Moisturizing
Price
The product retails for 46.00$ in the United States, for 50.04CA$ in Canada and for 81.18A$ in Australia.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 21 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3
- 4
- 5Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 6
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