Clear Skincare Microdermabrasion Exfoliant Versus Goop Beauty Goopglow Microderm Instant Glow Exfoliator
Updated on February 18, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe exfoliators. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA and exfoliants
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain common allergens, fragrances and oils
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Clear Skincare Microdermabrasion Exfoliant 16 ingredients
Goop Beauty Goopglow Microderm Instant Glow Exfoliator 41 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Clear Skincare Microdermabrasion Exfoliant 16 ingredients
Goop Beauty Goopglow Microderm Instant Glow Exfoliator 41 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlumina
Abrasive
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingMacadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPEG-20 Stearate
Emulsifying
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Disodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningAlumina
Abrasive
Glycerin
Humectant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Hydrated Silica
Abrasive
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Garnet Powder
Abrasive
Quartz
Abrasive
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Ziziphus Jujuba Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningTerminalia Ferdinandiana Seed Oil
Antioxidant
Olea Europaea Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantifolia Oil
Cleansing
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Nobilis Oil
Masking
Lavandula Hybrida Oil
Emollient
Vetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil
Masking
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingCitric Acid
Buffering
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingXylitol
HumectantCaprylic Acid
CleansingCaprylhydroxamic Acid
Galactoarabinan
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingLevan
Skin ProtectingDehydroxanthan Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCitral
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Water, Alumina, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycolic Acid, Hydrated Silica, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, Squalane, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sorbitan Olivate, Garnet Powder, Quartz, Ascorbic Acid, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Ziziphus Jujuba Seed Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Leaf Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Citrus Nobilis Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Vetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Citric Acid, Phenethyl Alcohol, Xylitol, Caprylic Acid, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Galactoarabinan, Decyl Glucoside, Levan, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Citral, Limonene
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterAlumina is another name for the compound aluminum oxide. It is used as a thickener, absorbent, and abrasive.
As an absorbent, alumina can give a mattifying effect. It is used in mineral sunscreens to help coat nano-sized filters, such as titanium dioxide. By increasing the size of the UV filters, these ingredients stay on the skin for a longer time. By coating small sized ingredients, alumina helps thicken a product.
Alumina may be used as an abrasive, or exfoliant.
Alumina is naturally occurring in the mineral corundum. Certain varieties of corundum create rubies and sapphires. Corundum is also the crystalline form of alumina.
Learn more about AluminaGlycolic Acid is arguably the most famous AHA with a ton of research to back up its benefits.
Its main role is to remove the top layer of dead skin cells, allowing newer skin cells to emerge.
Specifically, AHAs work by breaking down the structural "glue" holding the old skin cells in place. Getting rid of the old skin cells allows skin to regenerate newer skin cells in its place. A build up of dead skin cells can lead to tired and dull looking skin.
Due to this, glycolic acid helps with:
Fun fact: Glycolic acid increases skin hydration by playing a role in creating molecules that create hyaluronic acid naturally.
When starting glycolic Acid, it is normal to feel slight stinging.
The pH value and concentration of glycolic acid play a role in the effectiveness of the product. Concentrations between 5-20% glycolic acid have been shown to be effective in clinical studies.
Recent studies have shown Glycolic Acid may protect the skin against UV damage. However, you should always wear SPF, especially when using exfoliants.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Glycolic AcidCetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinSodium 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.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideButyrospermum Parkii Butter is a plant lipid from the fruit of the Shea Tree. It is an effective skin hydrator and emollient.
Emollients help soothe and soften your skin. It does this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
Shea butter is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may harm the body. It is also full of fatty acids including stearic acid and linoleic acid. These acids help replenish the skin and keep skin moisturized.
While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.
Shea butter may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii ButterIngredient Ratings
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