Versus

e.l.f. cosmetics Gentle Peeling Exfoliant Versus Missha Super Aqua Ultra Hyalron Peeling Gel

Exfoliator
Exfoliator
American Brand United States
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on March 06, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe and reef safe exfoliators. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens, silicones or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances

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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Benefits

Concerns

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Super Aqua Ultra Hyalron Peeling Gel

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Glycerin 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 Glycerin
Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

  • It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
  • It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
  • It helps improve product application.
  • It has mild preservative properties.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.

A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.

Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.

Extracts of licorice have demonstrated to have antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant properties.

One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.

Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.

Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.

Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.

Licorice root is native to Southern Europe and Asia. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with respiratory issues.

Learn more about Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.

It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.

Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.

This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.

Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol
Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

When to use

44 Routines
32% use in am
68% use in pm
50% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
3 Routines
100% use in am
0% use in pm
67% use every week

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

e.l.f. cosmetics Gentle Peeling Exfoliant 14 ingredients

4.4 /5
from 5 ratings
Great Value (3) Works Well (3) Drying (1)
freechurro's avatar

-‘🕯️’-

9 months ago
Review

I love this, my nose and forehead CHRONICALLY peel, it’s never ending no matter how much i moisturize, but this definitely reduces it. It gentle enough for me to use almost daily, works fast and isn’t expensive. Unfortunately the pump broke so ive been scooping it out of the bottle.🥲🩷(Follow this up with a moisturizer cuz it does dry your skin out a bit💔)

#great value
#drying
#light scent
#works well
briannagrace96's avatar

briannagrace96

1 year ago
Review

Best stuff!
This is great for exfoliation. I’ve used it for years now twice a week and it’s wonderful. Afterwards my skin is so soft and glowy. It’s also fun to use to see the skin slough off when using it. No burning or irritation at all with it. Love this!!

Missha Super Aqua Ultra Hyalron Peeling Gel 37 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Doesn't Work (1) Great Value (1) Irritating (1)
Milk_thief's avatar

Milk_thief

11 months ago
Review

Very rough particles, it feels more like a scrab and not like a peeling gel.
Bad for sensitive skin.

#irritating
#doesn't work
lizpurev's avatar

Liz Purev

4 months ago
Review

Chemical exfoliants tend to break me out, I feel this gel very gentle. Compared to other exfoliants I’ve tried, like the Etude house baking powder one, this is so much gentler and smoother.

#great value
#works well