Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Acid Serum Versus HoliFrog Halo AHA + BHA Evening Serum
Updated on July 18, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA, BHA and hyaluronic acid
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, 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 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
Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Acid Serum 36 ingredients
HoliFrog Halo AHA + BHA Evening Serum 44 ingredients
What's inside
What's inside
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Acid Serum 36 ingredients
HoliFrog Halo AHA + BHA Evening Serum 44 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventC9-12 Alkane
SolventFragaria Vesca Fruit Extract
AstringentHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Succinic Acid
BufferingFragaria Vesca Leaf Extract
AstringentAzelaic Acid
Buffering
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Bisabolol
Masking
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Glucosamine
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
Masking
Saccharomyces Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Dextrin
AbsorbentPolydextrose
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Amylopectin
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Succinoglycan
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Lecithin
Emollient
Aminomethyl Propanol
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Water, Methylpropanediol, C9-12 Alkane, Fragaria Vesca Fruit Extract, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Salicylic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Mandelic Acid, Succinic Acid, Fragaria Vesca Leaf Extract, Azelaic Acid, Allantoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Bisabolol, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Niacinamide, Glucosamine, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment, Dextrin, Polydextrose, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Amylopectin, Butylene Glycol, Succinoglycan, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Lauroyl Lysine, Sodium Phytate, Lecithin, Aminomethyl Propanol, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPropanediol
Solvent
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil
Emollient
Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil
Emollient
Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil
Antimicrobial
Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Cetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Phytic Acid
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Superoxide Dismutase
Antioxidant
Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Vigna Aconitifolia Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium PCA
Humectant
Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Cocos Nucifera Oil
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sea Salt
Abrasive
Sodium Lactate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Lecithin
Emollient
Phenethyl Alcohol
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLeuconostoc Ferment Filtrate
AntimicrobialSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Carrageenan
Emulsion StabilisingDehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Silica
Abrasive
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Soybean Peroxidase
Antioxidant
Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Glycolic Acid, Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Propanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil, Rubus Idaeus Seed Oil, Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, Caprylyl Caprylate/Caprate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Lactic Acid, Phytic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Oryza Sativa Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Superoxide Dismutase, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Vigna Aconitifolia Seed Extract, Sodium PCA, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Tocopherol, Sea Salt, Sodium Lactate, Citric Acid, Lecithin, Phenethyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Maltodextrin, Xanthan Gum, Leuconostoc Ferment Filtrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Carrageenan, Dehydroacetic Acid, Silica, Benzyl Alcohol, Soybean Peroxidase
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of mixture of phospholipids.
This ingredient has emollient and emulsifying properties.
As an emollient, lecithen helps soften the skin and creates a barrier to keep moisture in.
As an emulsifier, it also helps prevent water and oil ingredients from separating. Lecithin can also help ingredients be better absorbed by the skin.
This is because the phospholipids in lecithin produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that feeds fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Some other names for this ingredient include soy lecithin and deoiled soy lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate is a natural preservative. It comes from fermenting radish roots with a bacteria called leuconostoc.
Leuconostoc comes from lactic acid.
This ingredient has antimicrobial properties and helps prevent the growth of bacteria in a product.
Leuconostoc is used to make the traditional Korean side-dish, kimchi. It is also used to make sourdough bread (both incredibly yummy foods).
Learn more about Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment FiltrateSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWater. 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 WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Acid Serum 36 ingredients
HoliFrog Halo AHA + BHA Evening Serum 44 ingredients
Reviews
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