Charlotte Tilbury Super Radiance Resurfacing Facial Acid Exfoliator Versus Lancer Skincare Caviar Acid Lime Peel

Charlotte Tilbury Super Radiance Resurfacing Facial Acid Exfoliator Versus Lancer Skincare Caviar Acid Lime Peel

This brightening exfoliator is formulated around Glycolic Acid and Salicylic Acid to brighten dull-looking skin and refine skin texture.

This wash off mask is formulated around Glycolic Acid to exfoliate and smooth skin.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Glycerin

Glycolic Acid

Sodium Hydroxide

Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer

Cetearyl Alcohol

Glyceryl Stearate

PEG-100 Stearate

Persea Gratissima Oil

Salicylic Acid

Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract

Phenoxyethanol

Butylene Glycol

Caprylyl Glycol

Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf Extract

Polysorbate 60

Sorbitan Isostearate

Sodium Gluconate

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Hydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract

Allantoin

Sodium Hyaluronate

1,2-Hexanediol

Polyglutamic Acid

Tocopherol

Parfum

Maltodextrin

Ethylhexylglycerin

Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

Citric Acid

Potassium Sorbate

Sodium Benzoate

Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract

Limonene

Geraniol

Citronellol

Linalool

Water, Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Persea Gratissima Oil, Salicylic Acid, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf Extract, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium Gluconate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Allantoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglutamic Acid, Tocopherol, Parfum, Maltodextrin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Limonene, Geraniol, Citronellol, Linalool

Phytic Acid

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Galactoarabinan

Dimethyl Isosorbide

Ethoxydiglycol

Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate

Stearyl Alcohol

Propanediol

Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6

Oryza Sativa Bran Extract

Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil

Sodium Ascorbate

Retinol

Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract

Microcitrus Australasica Fruit Extract

Citrus Aurantifolia Oil

Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil

Mentha Piperita Oil

Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil

Bromelain

Papain

Dimethicone

Polymethylsilsesquioxane

Vanillyl Butyl Ether

Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer

Xanthan Gum

Disodium EDTA

Benzyl Alcohol

Menthoxypropanediol

Citral

Water, Glycolic Acid, Phytic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Galactoarabinan, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Ethoxydiglycol, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Stearyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Glycerin, Maltodextrin, Oryza Sativa Bran Extract, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Sodium Ascorbate, Retinol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Microcitrus Australasica Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Mentha Piperita Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Allantoin, Bromelain, Papain, Tocopherol, Dimethicone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Vanillyl Butyl Ether, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Benzyl Alcohol, Menthoxypropanediol, Limonene, Linalool, Citral

Alternatives

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.

Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.

Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.

It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.

Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.

This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.

Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.

Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.

Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:

The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.

Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.

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.

Glyceryl Stearate is made by reacting glycerin with stearic acid (typically sourced from plant oils like palm or coconut). It's an emulsifier, emollient, and mild occlusive.

Emulsifiers help ingredients like oil and water stay mixed so your formula stays nicely blended and uniform in texture.

This ingredient is typically used in concentrations between 1-10%. Studies have found it to be non-sensitizing, non-phototoxic, and non-photoallergenic.

A close cousin of this ingredient is Glyceryl Stearate SE ("self-emulsifying"). This just has a small amount of sodium or potassium stearate added so it can emulsify without a co-emulsifier.

Since this ingredient is an ester of a C18 fatty acid, it may not be fungal acne safe. The Malassezia yeast can potentially metabolize within the C11-C24 range.

Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.

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:

Limonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.

It's found in the peel oil of citrus fruits and other plants such as lavender and eucalyptus. The scent of limonene is generally described as "sweet citrus".

Limonene acts as an antioxidant, meaning it helps neutralize free radicals.

When exposed to air, oxidized limonene may sensitize the skin. Because of this, limonene is often avoided by people with sensitive skin.

The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.

Linalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.

Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.

This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.

Maltodextrin is a plant-derived carbohydrate made by breaking down starch (usually from corn, potato, or rice). In cosmetic formulas, it's a multitasking absorbent, emulsion stabilizer, and skin conditioner.

This ingredient is mostly used to stabilize emulsions and improve the powdery, non-greasy feel of products (like dry shampoos).

Safety-wise, this ingredient is pretty solid; it's even recognized as a food additive. Both animal and clinical studies found no adverse effects at the levels used in cosmetics.

Industry data shows this ingredient is used up to 45.7% in spray products and up to 33% in powder products.

Peg-100 Stearate is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft by trapping moisture in. On the other hand, emulsifiers help prevent oil and water from separating in a product.

PEGS are a hydrophilic polyether compound . There are 100 ethylene oxide monomers in Peg-100 Stearate. Peg-100 Stearate is polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.

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.

Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.

You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.

Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.

It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.

This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.

This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.

In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.

Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.

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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