Versus

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads With Glycolic + Lactic Acids Versus Good Molecules Mandelic Acid Serum

Exfoliator
Serum
American Brand United States
American Brand United States

Updated on March 06, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe . They have a total of 2 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain AHA and hyaluronic acid

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates

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

What's inside (and what isn't)

What's inside (and what isn't)

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products

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

When to use

241 Routines
39% use in am
61% use in pm
70% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
100 Routines
13% use in am
87% use in pm
57% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads With Glycolic + Lactic Acids 20 ingredients

4.5 /5
from 2 ratings
Works Well (2) Absorbs Well (1) Hydrating (1)
dorothygommel's avatar

Dorothy Gommel

9 days ago
Review

So far I’m loving these pads. I am 55 with dry and very sensitive skin. I am still prone to little spots of whiteheads at this age for clog poring items. I was definitely afraid of this burning my skin or causing redness reaction. Surprisingly it has done none of that. I bought the small size to try before spending $ on the larger size. Great for traveling. I can’t really speak to any long term Show more

#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well
#no scent
apee's avatar

April

4 months ago
Review

I use this once a week for exfoliation. Helps keep my skin bright and smooth. I have really reactive/ sensitive skin with hormonal acne. At first, it seemed like my skin reacted angry to this, but only after the first time using. I think my skin just needed to get used to it. It’s gentle yet effective. This is a staple in my routine.

#works well

Good Molecules Mandelic Acid Serum 17 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating
Great Value (1) Works Well (1)
sedijadizdarevic's avatar

Sedija Dizdarevic

12 days ago
Review

This alone cleared up my acne. I have tried product after product after product for over a decade and my acne persisted until I got a hold of this mandelic acid. I even noticed when I got lazy and stopped using this that small breakouts would start again. This cleared them right back up again! It does pill, however, which is no big deal for me because I use it at night. But the bigger issue is Show more

#great value
#works well