First Aid Beauty Brighten + Glow Facial Radiance Pads With Glycolic + Lactic Acids Versus Peter Thomas Roth Peptide 21 Amino Acid Exfoliating Peel Pads

First Aid Beauty Brighten + Glow Facial Radiance Pads With Glycolic + Lactic Acids Versus Peter Thomas Roth Peptide 21 Amino Acid Exfoliating Peel Pads

This smoothing exfoliating pad uses a pre-saturated pad with Lactic Acid and Glycolic Acid to refine skin texture and brighten dull-looking skin.

This smoothing exfoliating pad uses a pre-saturated pad with Retinol and Salicylic Acid to refine skin texture and soften the look of wrinkles.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

Cucumis Sativus Fruit Water

Lactic Acid

Glycolic Acid

Hyaluronic Acid

Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract

Citrus Limon Peel Extract

Citrus Nobilis Fruit Extract

Glycerin

Polysorbate 20

Phenoxyethanol

Potassium Sorbate

Sodium Benzoate

Citric Acid

Chlorphenesin

Sodium Hydroxide

Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Water, Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Citrus Nobilis Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Hydroxide

Amino Acids

Abn Complex 20%

Retinol

Butylene Glycol

Sodium Lactate

Phytic Acid

PPG-5-Ceteth-20

Rosa Centifolia Flower Water

Hamamelis Virginiana Water

Salicylic Acid

Threonine

Glutamic Acid

Serine

Aspartic Acid

Arginine

Alanine

Proline

Valine

Histidine

Glycine

Lysine

Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Ascorbic Acid

Retinyl Palmitate

Tocopheryl Acetate

Borago Officinalis Seed Oil

Symphytum Officinale Leaf Extract

Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract

Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract

Citrus Tangerina Peel Extract

Mentha Piperita Extract

Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract

Zingiber Officinale Root Extract

Aminobutyric Acid

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

PEG-8 Dimethicone

Leucine

Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate

Limonene

Benzoic Acid

Tyrosine

Phenylalanine

Isoleucine

Octyldodecanol

Silica

Sodium Propoxyhydroxypropyl Thiosulfate Silica

Amino Acids, Abn Complex 20%, Retinol, Water, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Lactate, Phytic Acid, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Salicylic Acid, Threonine, Glutamic Acid, Serine, Aspartic Acid, Arginine, Alanine, Proline, Valine, Histidine, Glycine, Lysine, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Symphytum Officinale Leaf Extract, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Tangerina Peel Extract, Mentha Piperita Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Aminobutyric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PEG-8 Dimethicone, Leucine, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Limonene, Benzoic Acid, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Isoleucine, Citric Acid, Octyldodecanol, Silica, Sodium Propoxyhydroxypropyl Thiosulfate Silica

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Alternatives

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice is the filtered, stabilized liquid pressed from the inner gel of the aloe vera leaf.

In cosmetics, it shows up as either soothing active or a water-replacement base. It is roughly 98-99% water and the last 1-2% is an interesting mix of polysaccharides, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes.

The polysaccharides do most of the work: they bind water at the skin surface for a light, non-greasy hydration boost. And one of the polysaccharides, glycomannan, is linked to fibroblast stimulation + collagen synthesis. This is also why aloe has such a long track record in wound and burn healing.

This ingredient is also calming with anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial activity, making it a great pick for sensitive, irritated, or post-sun skin.

Realistic expectations matter though; the solid evidence is mostly limited to hydration, soothing, and wound support. Deeper claims about anti-aging or sun protection are not well backed, and science reviews note it does not prevent radiation-induced skin injury.

Because it plays well with almost everything, it's commonly used as a base alongside other actives like niacinamide or vitamin C.

Typical usage concentrations range from 0.5% (where hydration benefits already show up) all the way to 90%+ (where it replaces water as the main base).

The safety for this ingredient is well-establish as well. Overall, this is a great supporting ingredient for those who want a boost in hydration.

Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.

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

However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.

Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.

In skincare formulas, citric acid can:

While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.

Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.

Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger.

However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential trigger at exfoliating concentrations (20%). Because everybody's skin is unique, we recommend a patch test if you are unsure.

Citrus Limon Peel Extract is created from the peel of a lemon. Lemon peels contain Vitamin C. Lemon peels also exhibit antibacterial, antioxidant, and antifungal properties.

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.

Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.

This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.

Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.

You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.

Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.

Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.

Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.

It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.

Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.

We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.

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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