Minimalist Nonapeptide + AHA 6% Underarm Roll-On Versus Chemist at Play Underarm Roll-On With 5% AHA

Minimalist Nonapeptide + AHA 6% Underarm Roll-On Versus Chemist at Play Underarm Roll-On With 5% AHA

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

1,2-Hexanediol

Mandelic Acid

Triethyl Citrate

Dimethyl Isosorbide

Propanediol

Glycolic Acid

Ethoxydiglycol

Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein

Salicylic Acid

2-Methyl 5-Cyclohexylpentanol

Decylene Glycol

Sodium PCA

Pentylene Glycol

Nonapeptide-1

Hydroxyethylcellulose

Sodium Hydroxide

Phenoxyethanol

Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract

Ethylhexylglycerin

Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate

Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Mandelic Acid, Triethyl Citrate, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Propanediol, Glycolic Acid, Ethoxydiglycol, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Salicylic Acid, 2-Methyl 5-Cyclohexylpentanol, Decylene Glycol, Sodium PCA, Pentylene Glycol, Nonapeptide-1, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate

Parfum

Lactic Acid

Polysorbate 80

Allantoin

Xanthan Gum

3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid

Sodium Hyaluronate

Glycerin

Oryza Sativa Cera

Ceramide As

Phospholipids

Sphingolipids

Morinda Citrifolia Callus Culture Lysate

Maltodextrin

Disodium EDTA

Citric Acid

Water, Parfum, Lactic Acid, Polysorbate 80, Propanediol, Mandelic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Allantoin, Xanthan Gum, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycerin, Oryza Sativa Cera, Ceramide As, Phospholipids, Sphingolipids, Morinda Citrifolia Callus Culture Lysate, Maltodextrin, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid

Reviews

Alternatives

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Mandelic Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA).

Like other AHAs, it helps exfoliate the surface of the skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.

Mandelic acid helps with:

Due to it having a larger molecular size than glycolic acid, mandelic acid is able to penetrate the skin more slowly and evenly. This makes it gentler and less irritating, making it a great option for sensitive or beginner skin.

Despite being milder, mandelic acid is still an effective exfoliant that improves skin texture and tone over time.

What makes mandelic acid stand out from other AHAs? It has antibacterial and antioxidant properties.

These traits make it a great option for acne-prone or problem skin by reducing active breakouts and fading post-acne marks. Studies show that mandelic acid (especially when combined with salicylic acid) can significantly reduce pimples and hyperpigmentation while causing fewer side effects than stronger acids.

Mandelic acid is effective in concentrations of 5% and up with an ideal pH range of 3-4 for at-home use.

Like other AHAs, it’s important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your newly exfoliated skin.

However, unlike glycolic acid, mandelic acid is light-sensitive. Be sure your mandelic acid is packaged in opaque containers to ensure it stays stable and effective.

In short, mandelic acid is a gentle yet powerful AHA that exfoliates, brightens, and helps clarify skin while keeping irritation low. Its antibacterial action makes it especially beneficial for those with acne-prone, sensitive, or uneven skin, offering smoother, clearer, and more even-toned results over time.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).

It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.

On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.

Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).

You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.

Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.

Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.

Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.

Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.

It’s often used to:

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.

Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.

"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!

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