Good Molecules Overnight Exfoliating Treatment Versus ELFORMULA Intensive Peeling Solution AHA BHA PHA
Updated on September 18, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe facial treatments. They have a total of 10 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA, BHA and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, 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 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
Good Molecules Overnight Exfoliating Treatment 14 ingredients
ELFORMULA Intensive Peeling Solution AHA BHA PHA 43 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Good Molecules Overnight Exfoliating Treatment 14 ingredients
ELFORMULA Intensive Peeling Solution AHA BHA PHA 43 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
SolventXanthan Gum
Emulsifying1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
Masking
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingC12-14 Alketh-12
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract
Antioxidant
Maltodextrin
AbsorbentEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Glycine
Buffering
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Antioxidant
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentSerine
MaskingGlutamic Acid
HumectantGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Aspartic Acid
MaskingLeucine
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Alanine
MaskingLysine
Skin ConditioningArginine
Masking
Tyrosine
MaskingPhenylalanine
MaskingValine
MaskingThreonine
Proline
Skin ConditioningIsoleucine
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Histidine
HumectantMethionine
Skin ConditioningCysteine
Antioxidant
Water, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Pentylene Glycol, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Propanediol, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Salicylic Acid, Acacia Senegal Gum, C12-14 Alketh-12, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract, Maltodextrin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Phytate, Butylene Glycol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycine, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Alanine, Lysine, Arginine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Valine, Threonine, Proline, Isoleucine, Tocopherol, Histidine, Methionine, Cysteine
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 WaterGlycolic 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 AcidPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolGlycerin 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 Glycerin1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Xanthan 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 GumButylene 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.
Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.
This multitasking property makes it a great ingredient for cleaning out pores, controlling oil production, and reducing inflammation.
Unlike AHAs which are water soluble, Salicylic Acid is oil soluble. This means that it's able to exfoliate the inside of pores and reduce blackheads.
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 a Salicylic Acid into your routine.
In general, Salicylic Acid is a great ingredient for oily acne-prone skin.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun-sensitivity, we still recommend wearing SPF.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Good Molecules Overnight Exfoliating Treatment 14 ingredients
ELFORMULA Intensive Peeling Solution AHA BHA PHA 43 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Good Molecules Overnight Exfoliating Treatment 14 ingredients
This is decent but you gotta be careful with it if you’re sensitive. I was dealing with some intense inflammatory acne after messing up my skin barrier. My skin seemed to be on the mend so I tried this thinking my skin wouldn’t still be so sensitive and it would help clear up the remaining congestion left behind by my crazy breakout, but I think I should have waited a little longer or only used it Show more
It’s much gentler than the ordinary’s version while still being effective. Maybe a bit less of a dramatic change but my skin tolerates it much better.
ELFORMULA Intensive Peeling Solution AHA BHA PHA 43 ingredients
DOESN'T WORK AT ALL WITH MY ACNES BEFORE. so glad that i didn't proceed to using this any longer since it irritates my skin. MY SENSITIVE SKIN HATES THIS SO MUCH. i got fooled by the buzzer on tiktok. i thought i was in purging state and turns out it's a break out😤
make sure to have skin analysis about your concern in skinsort. (yes i was previously part of skincarisma girlies and i ended up Show more
