Good Molecules Overnight Exfoliating Treatment Versus Versed The Shortcut Overnight Facial Peel
Updated on September 18, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe facial treatments. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA 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, 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
Versed The Shortcut Overnight Facial Peel 28 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
Versed The Shortcut Overnight Facial Peel 28 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Isohexadecane
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantPEG-100
Humectant
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Lactate
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingWater, Glycerin, Isohexadecane, Butylene Glycol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Retinyl Palmitate, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Allantoin, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Saccharide Isomerate, PEG-100, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Citrate
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 AcidSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateGlycerin 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
Lactic Acid is an AHA that is derived from fermenting lactose, a carbohydrate from milk. It removes the top layer of old and dead skin cells and helps increase cell turnover.
Benefits of Lactic Acid are that it can help to reduce large pores and reduce the effects of aging. Some potential downsides are that it can be bad for dry skin, cause irritation, worsen eczema, and worsen rosacea.
Not only does it help exfoliate the skin, it helps strengthen the skin's barrier. When applied, lactic acid helps the skin create ceramides.
Lactic acid is an over-the-counter chemical exfoliant that comes from the fermentation of lactose — a carbohydrate found in milk.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidXanthan 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.
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
Versed The Shortcut Overnight Facial Peel 28 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.
Versed The Shortcut Overnight Facial Peel 28 ingredients
It all seems too good to be true:
- Blend of lactic and glycolic acid (work together to break down dead skin cells)
- Vitamin A exfoliates, brightens, and hydrates
- Skin-conditioning allantoin, rosehip, and vitamin E keep skin calm...
- pH-balanced, non-drying, and non-irritating...
- A non-scary treatment that won’t leave you red or flaky...
- Gentle enough to use on back-to-back Show more
