The INKEY List CA Apple Cider Vinegar Acid Peel
Works for
ExfoliationGlycolic acid, Salix alba bark extractWorks well
“Apple Cider Vinegar Acid Peel”
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.
Evens skin toneGlycolic acidWorks well
“2% Apple Cider Vinegar: Combines naturally occurring acetic acid to target blemish-causing bacteria and citric, lactic, and succinic acids for a more even-looking, radiant skin tone.”
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.
Anti-blemishGlycolic acid, Salix alba bark extractNot delivered
“Formulated with a potent blend of 2% Apple Cider vinegar, 10% Glycolic acid and a 5% multi-fruit blend, the weekly resurfacing treatment is designed to decongest clogged pores and keep the top layer of skin fresh and less susceptible to breakouts.”
This product contains ingredients (glycolic acid) that could help reduce blemishes and clogged pores in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.
Anti-agingSide benefit the brand mentions · Glycolic acidWorks well
“Skin Care Concerns Home Skin Ceuticals Medical Skincare Dermatologist approved Teen & Pre-Teen Acne & Blemishes Fine Lines & Wrinkles Visible Pores Dark Circles & Puffiness Dull Skin Dry Skin Oily Skin Combination Skin Redness Pigmentation Dehydrated Skin Sensitive Skin”
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 the brand mentions · Glycerin, Saccharum officinarum extract + 2 moreWorks
“Skin Care Concerns Home Skin Ceuticals Medical Skincare Dermatologist approved Teen & Pre-Teen Acne & Blemishes Fine Lines & Wrinkles Visible Pores Dark Circles & Puffiness Dull Skin Dry Skin Oily Skin Combination Skin Redness Pigmentation Dehydrated Skin Sensitive Skin”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": biosaccharide gum-1, glycerin.
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).
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~40–60%
Glycolic acid~5.4–8.1%
- 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 acidGlycerin~3.5–5.3%
- 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 GlycerinCaprylyl/capryl glucoside~3.6–5.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be used as a cleansing agent
More about Caprylyl/capryl glucosidePolysorbate 20~2–3%
Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract~1.7–2.5%
- 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 extractApple cider vinegar~1.6–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium hydroxide~1.3–1.9%
Propanediol~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolXanthan gum~0.85–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumSaccharum officinarum extract~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sugar extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharum officinarum extractPhenoxyethanol~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolHippophae rhamnoides fruit oil~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant oil that might somewhat help to neutralize free radicals. It could be irritating
More about Hippophae rhamnoides fruit oilSalix alba bark extract~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. It contains a compound salicin that can theoretically be converted into salicylic acid that, in turn, helps reduce inflammation in skin, but the evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking and the extract is usually not used in a concentration that would enable an exfoliating effect
More about Salix alba bark extractMaltodextrin~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil
More about MaltodextrinCitrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract~0.15–0.65%
- 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~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and cause photosensitivity
More about Citrus limon fruit extractCitronellyl methylcrotonate~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acer saccharum extract~0.1–0.35%
- 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 extractEthylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.3%
Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A preservative that comes from radishes fermented by a bacteria. New research suggests that the preservation properties in the ingredient come from an ammonium salt that is not present naturally in radish root but used in its cultivation. Is problematic because the exact amount of the preservative agents is difficult to determine
More about Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrateBiosaccharide gum-1~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and is claimed to provide a longer-lasting hydration because of its ability to create a water-binding film on the surface of the skin
More about Biosaccharide gum-1Phytic acid~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), but is mostly used to stabilize product formulations in cosmetics
More about Phytic acidAgastache mexicana flower/leaf/stem extract~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ingredient list view
Water, Glycolic acid, Glycerin, Caprylyl/capryl glucoside, Polysorbate 20, Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract, Apple cider vinegar, Sodium hydroxide, Propanediol, Xanthan gum, Saccharum officinarum extract, Unknown, Phenoxyethanol, Hippophae rhamnoides fruit oil, Salix alba bark extract, Maltodextrin, Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract, Citrus limon fruit extract, Citronellyl methylcrotonate, Acer saccharum extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, Biosaccharide gum-1, Phytic acid, Agastache mexicana flower/leaf/stem extract
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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.
| The INKEY List CAApple Cider Vinegar Acid PeelYOUR PRODUCT | RaelMiracle Clear Brightening Triple Acid Exfoliant | Eve LomRescue Peel Pads x 60 | Deviant SkincareGentle Resurfacing Liquid | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 62% | 61% | 61% |
| Price | — | — | $49.93 | $52.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 2 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | Salicylic Acid | Lactobionic Acid | Salicylic Acid |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Medium | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Geek Gorgeous Smooth OutNo7 Glycolic Exfoliating Pads
Product summary
"The INKEY List CA - Apple Cider Vinegar Acid Peel" is effective for: Anti-aging, Exfoliation and Evens skin tone
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Exfoliating acids (glycolic acid 5.40% - 8.10%). In this concentration, they will have a noticeable exfoliating effect. They can also have an anti-aging effect and stimulate collagen production in a long-run.
- Humectants (biosaccharide gum-1 0.05% - 0.20% and glycerin 3.50% - 5.30%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "The INKEY List CA" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails for 14.99£ in the United Kingdom, for 14.99$ in the United States, for 23.00A$ in Australia, for 18.99CA$ in Canada and for 26.00NZ$ in New Zealand.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 13 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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