L'Oreal Glycolic Bright 8% Serum - Indonesia Versus La Roche-Posay Glycolic B5 Serum Exfoliating Concentrate
Updated on March 31, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe and reef safe serums. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA and exfoliants
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 oils or parabens
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols
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
L'Oreal Glycolic Bright 8% Serum 34 ingredients
La Roche-Posay Glycolic B5 Serum Exfoliating Concentrate 14 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
L'Oreal Glycolic Bright 8% Serum 34 ingredients
La Roche-Posay Glycolic B5 Serum Exfoliating Concentrate 14 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
BufferingCaffeine
Skin ConditioningPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingLinalool
Perfuming
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
2-Mercaptonicotinoyl Glycine
Skin ConditioningSodium Thiosulfate
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Poloxamer 338
EmulsifyingLimonene
Perfuming
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Citronellol
Perfuming
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMenthoxypropanediol
Masking
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
PEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer
CI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantCI 42090
Cosmetic ColorantParfum
Masking
Water, Caprylyl Methicone, Niacinamide, Alcohol Denat., Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Caffeine, Potassium Hydroxide, Linalool, Glycolic Acid, 2-Mercaptonicotinoyl Glycine, Sodium Thiosulfate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Chlorphenesin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Poloxamer 338, Limonene, Tocopherol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Citronellol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Xanthan Gum, Menthoxypropanediol, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Salicylate, PEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20 Crosspolymer, CI 17200, CI 42090, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingTranexamic Acid
Astringent
Kojic Acid
Antioxidant
C12-13 Alkyl Lactate
EmollientHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Disodium EDTA
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 WaterAlcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying - mostly due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue, constricting pores and leaving your skin dried out.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is if this alcohol is near the end of an ingredients list, it will probably not affect your skin much.
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.Potassium hydroxide is commonly known as caustic potash. It is used to fix the pH of a product or as a cleaning agent in soap. In cleansers, it is used for the saponification of oils.
Sapnification is the process of creating fatty acid metal salts from triglycerides and a strong base. During this process, Potassium Hydroxide is used up and is not present in the final product.
Using high concentrations of Potassium Hydroxide have shown to irritate the skin.
Learn more about Potassium HydroxideGlycolic 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 AcidCapryloyl Salicylic Acid comes from salicylic acid, the famous acne-fighting BHA.
It usually goes by a more common name of LHA, or lipohydroxy acid.
Like salicylic acid, this ingredient is a chemical exfoliant that can help break down the oil in your pores and reduce inflammation.
Though studies for LHA do show it to be less effective than salicylic acid. To be fair, salicylic acid is the reigning monarch of acne treatments.
However, a study from 2009 found LHA to be comparable to BPO, making it a good alternative for people with sensitive skin. Another study of 14 patients found a significant decrease in comedones after using LHA.
Another pro of LHA? It is less irritating than salicylic acid due to its large molecule size.
Large molecules cannot penetrate skin as well, so they are gentler on the skin. LHA is much less penetrative than salicylic acid.
An in-vitro study (not done on a living organism) found only 6% of LHA penetrated past the statum corneum compared to 58% of salicylic acid. An in-vivo (done on a living organism) analysis revealed ~17% of LHA was still present in the top layer of skin after 4 days, versus ~9% of salicylic acid.
Interestingly, a study from 2008 found LHA comparable to another famous acid, glycolic acid.
This study found about 10% of LHA is as effective as 20-50% of glycolic acid in treating hyperpigmentation and fine-lines.
Hydroxy acids have been found to stimulate skin protein, lipids, and thermal thickening. This may have anti-aging benefits.
Learn more about Capryloyl Salicylic AcidTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is used to help stabilize a product.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it helps prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This prevents unwanted reactions in products. Metal ions can come into a product via the water ingredient. They are found in trace amounts and are not known to be harmful.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
L'Oreal Glycolic Bright 8% Serum 34 ingredients
La Roche-Posay Glycolic B5 Serum Exfoliating Concentrate 14 ingredients
