Kiehl's Ultra Pure High-Potency 9.8% Glycolic Acid Serum Versus Biossance Squalane + Glycolic Renewal Mask

Kiehl's Ultra Pure High-Potency 9.8% Glycolic Acid Serum Versus Biossance Squalane + Glycolic Renewal Mask Detailed comparison of Kiehl's Ultra Pure High-Potency 9.8% Glycolic Acid Serum versus Biossance Squalane + Glycolic Renewal Mask. This smoothing exfoliator is formulated around Glycolic Acid to refine skin texture and brighten dull-looking skin. This wash off mask is formulated around Glycolic Acid to exfoliate and smooth skin. Water Glycolic Acid Glycerin Alcohol Denat. Sodium Hydroxide Sodium Hyaluronate Hydroxyethylcellulose Water, Glycolic Acid, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxyethylcellulose Squalane Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Stearyl Alcohol Arachidyl Alcohol Clay Mineral Oxides Behenyl Alcohol Lactic Acid Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract Saccharum Officinarum Extract Acer Saccharum Extract Kaolin Xanthan Gum Diheptyl Succinate Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract Citrus Limon Fruit Extract Citric Acid Tartaric Acid Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Citrus Limon Peel Oil Montmorillonite Illite Acacia Senegal Gum Biosaccharide Gum-1 Arachidyl Glucoside Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 Phenoxyethanol Ethylhexylglycerin Sodium Phytate Limonene Water, Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Stearyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Alcohol, Clay Mineral Oxides, Behenyl Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide, Lactic Acid, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Acer Saccharum Extract, Kaolin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Diheptyl Succinate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Citric Acid, Tartaric Acid, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Montmorillonite, Illite, Acacia Senegal Gum, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Arachidyl Glucoside, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Phytate, Limonene Be the first to review These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum. Topically, glycerin does several things at once: Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3. Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin. This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products. Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity. Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine. Glycolic Acid is arguably the most famous alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) with tons of research backing its benefits. It is found naturally in sugar cane but the form used in skincare is usually synthetic for purity and stability. Glycolic acid removes the top layer of dead skin cells to allow newer and fresher ones to emerge. AHAs work by breaking down the structural “glue” that holds old skin cells in place. When that buildup is gone, your skin can renew itself more efficiently. Research also shows glycolic acid stimulates collagen production, helping to firm and thicken the skin over time. This is one of its biggest advantages over other AHAs. Overall, glycolic acid helps with: Fun fact: Glycolic acid boosts skin hydration by helping it produce molecules that increase hyaluronic acid naturally. To work best, glycolic acid products should have a pH between 3-4 (that’s where exfoliation is most effective but still gentle on skin). The pH and concentration of a product are key to its effectiveness: It is normal to feel a slight stinging sensation when using glycolic acid. This usually fades as your skin adjusts. Because glycolic acid has the smallest molecular size in the AHA family, it can penetrate deeper, which enhances its effectiveness but also makes it more likely to irritate sensitive skin. If your skin is very sensitive or prone to rosacea, glycolic acid may be too strong; in that case, try milder options like lactic acid or a PHA instead. Recent studies suggest glycolic acid might even help protect against UV damage. But don’t skip sunscreen! Freshly exfoliated skin is more sensitive to the sun. Glycolic acid is a skincare superstar. It smooths, brightens, hydrates, and firms the skin. Unless you’re highly sensitive, it’s well worth adding to your routine. Read more about some other popular AHA's here: Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found i