Works for
0 of 3 advertised claims delivered
Anti-agingMagnesium aluminum silicate, Ascorbyl palmitateLimited evidence
“Added antioxidants Vitamin C, E and Peptides provide anti-aging benefits leaving the skin feeling smooth, clear and purified.”
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.
ExfoliationSalicylic acidWeak evidence
“AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cream”
This product does not contain effective exfoliating ingredients. It might be able to deliver physical exfoliation, that is scrub off some of the dead cells on the surface of the skin. We do not recommend physical exfoliation, because it is not uniform (some bits of skin can get exfoliated too much while others not at all). It can also traumatize the skin and aggrevate acne and other skin conditions.
Anti-blemishSalicylic acidWeak evidence
“Formulated with AHAs and BHAs to gently remove dead skin cells and reduce blemishes.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · Glycerin, Sodium hyaluronate + 12 moreGood evidence
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 glycosaminoglycans.
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.
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~9.4–11.5%
- 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 extractSaccharum officinarum extract~4.1–5.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sugar extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharum officinarum extractAcer saccharum extract~3–3.7%
- 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 extractCitrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract~2.2–2.7%
- 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~1.8–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and cause photosensitivity
More about Citrus limon fruit extractGlycerin~1.6–2%
- 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 GlycerinCetearyl isononanoate~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and helps prevent moisture loss.
More about Cetearyl isononanoateCetyl alcohol~1.2–1.5%
- 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 alcoholSqualane~1.1–1.3%
- 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 SqualaneGlyceryl stearate~0.75–1.15%
- 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~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateStearic acid~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidButylene glycol~0.55–0.8%
- 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 glycolMagnesium aluminum silicate~0.55–0.8%
- 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 silicateDimethicone~0.6–0.85%
- 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 DimethiconePhenoxyethanol~0.5–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolMethylparaben~0.15–0.3%
Ethylparaben~0.2–0.4%
Propylparaben~0.2–0.4%
Butylparaben~0.2–0.4%
Propylene glycol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolHydrolyzed glycosaminoglycans~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Long sugars that help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrolyzed glycosaminoglycansHydroxyethylcellulose~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures
More about HydroxyethylcelluloseCaprylyl glycol~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolHexylene glycol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a more spreadable product texture
More about Hexylene glycolPolydextrose~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium hyaluronate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateTocopheryl acetate~0.2–0.4%
- 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 acetateBisabolol~0.15–0.3%
- 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 BisabololXanthan gum~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumTriethanolamine~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolaminePanthenol~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolAscorbyl 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 palmitateSalicylic acid~0.05–0.1%
- 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 acidHydrolyzed yeast protein~0.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Lysine hcl~0.01–0.05%
Ingredient list view
Water, Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract, Saccharum officinarum extract, Acer saccharum extract, Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract, Citrus limon fruit extract, Glycerin, Cetearyl isononanoate, Cetyl alcohol, Squalane, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Stearic acid, Butylene glycol, Magnesium aluminum silicate, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, Propylene glycol, Hydrolyzed glycosaminoglycans, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Caprylyl glycol, Hexylene glycol, Polydextrose, Sodium hyaluronate, Tocopheryl acetate, Bisabolol, Xanthan gum, Triethanolamine, Panthenol, Ascorbyl palmitate, Salicylic acid, Hydrolyzed yeast protein, Lysine hcl
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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.
| VivierAHA/BHA Exfoliating CreamYOUR PRODUCT | e.l.f. CosmeticsFragrance Free Holy Hydration! Face Cream | Keys SoulcareSkin Transformation Cream | SkinMedicaAHA/BHA Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 60% | 60% | 59% |
| Price | $100.00 | $12.13−$87.87 | $34.00−$66.00 | $48.00−$52.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 9 | 5 of 9 | 6 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Niacinamide | Salicylic Acid |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 22 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
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