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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum versus PSA SKIN Follow the Light Multi Acids & Vitamin C Radiance Peel .

Published on April 22, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 11 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain AHA, hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C and Vitamin E

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 common allergens, parabens, silicones or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Serum American Brand United States
Wash Off Mask Singaporean Brand Singapore

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Wash Off Mask

Wash off masks are used to treat skin concerns: large pores, dryness, dullness, acne, and much more. They are applied preferably after cleansing (depending on the product’s instructions) and usually have to be removed within a specific time period.

Price

Shop

Buy Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum

Starts at $65.00
Shop

Buy Follow the Light Multi Acids & Vitamin C Radiance Peel

Starts at $45.00

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

AHA
Retinoid
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Exfoliators (2)
Niacinamide
Ceramides
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (4)
Good For Oily Skin (3)
Redness Reducing (4)
Reduces Irritation (3)
Skin Texture (3)
Reduces Large Pores (3)
Anti-Aging (7)
Dark Spots (4)
Scar Healing (6)
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (5)

Concerns

Drying
Irritating (3)
Rosacea (3)
Eczema (4)

Notable Ingredients

AHA (2)
BHA
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin (2)
Redness Reducing (4)
Reduces Irritation (3)
Skin Texture (4)
Reduces Large Pores (4)
Anti-Aging (5)
Dark Spots (4)
Scar Healing (6)
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (6)

Concerns

Drying
Irritating (4)
Rosacea (3)
Eczema (3)
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Water • Glycolic Acid • Propanediol • Sodium Hydroxide • Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil • Ethylhexyl Olivate • Polyglyceryl-2 Distearate • C9-12 Alkane • Arachidyl Alcohol • Zea Mays Starch • Glyceryl Stearate • Niacinamide • Tocopherol • Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil • Cucurbita Pepo Seed Oil • Retinol • Collagen • Adenosine • Squalane • Allantoin • Ascorbic Acid • Panthenol • Lecithin • Ceramide NP • Volcanic Soil • Pullulan • Sodium Phytate • Arachidyl Glucoside • Amylopectin • Polysorbate 20 • 1,2-Hexanediol • Silica • Sodium Hyaluronate • Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate • Potassium Sorbate • Sclerotium Gum • Coco-Caprylate/Caprate • Sodium Benzoate • Xanthan Gum • Lysolecithin • Pentylene Glycol • Potassium Phosphate • Ethylhexylglycerin • Behenyl Alcohol • Alcohol • Phenoxyethanol • Mica

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

PSA SKIN Follow the Light Multi Acids & Vitamin C Radiance Peel contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Loved

Glycolic Acid is arguably the most famous AHA with research to back up its benefits. Its main role is to peel the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.

Glycolic Acid has shown to boost collage production, a protein that helps skin stay firm. Overall, Glycolic Acid helps with improving uneven tone, rough patches of skin, fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage. It also increases skin hydration by playing a role in creating molecules that create hyaluronic acid naturally.

When applying 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.

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 Acid

Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.

PSA SKIN Follow the Light Multi Acids & Vitamin C Radiance Peel contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
What it does: Solvent
Community Rating: Liked

Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.

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 Propanediol

Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.

PSA SKIN Follow the Light Multi Acids & Vitamin C Radiance Peel contains this as ingredient number 5.

4
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Mixed

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.

Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.

"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.

Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide

Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.

PSA SKIN Follow the Light Multi Acids & Vitamin C Radiance Peel contains this as ingredient number 12.

5
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing
Community Rating: Loved

Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.

Some studies have shown this ingredient can promote wound healing with higher concentrations.

Allantoin is derived from the comfrey plant but produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.

Learn more about Allantoin

Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum contains this as ingredient number 20.

PSA SKIN Follow the Light Multi Acids & Vitamin C Radiance Peel contains this as ingredient number 16.

6
What it does: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.

As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.

Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.

The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.

Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Polysorbate 20

Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum contains this as ingredient number 30.

PSA SKIN Follow the Light Multi Acids & Vitamin C Radiance Peel contains this as ingredient number 37.

7
What it does: Antimicrobial
Community Rating: Liked

Leuconostoc/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 bacteria is used to make the traditional Korean side-dish, kimchi. It is also used to make sourdough bread (both incredibly yummy foods).

Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate has antimicrobial properties and helps prevent the growth of bacteria in a product.

It is believed the preservation property comes from salicylic acid and ammonium salt, neither of which are involved in the fermentation process.

Learn more about Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate

Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum contains this as ingredient number 34.

PSA SKIN Follow the Light Multi Acids & Vitamin C Radiance Peel contains this as ingredient number 34.

8
What it does: Emulsion Stabilising, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

Sclerotium Gum is a polysaccharide gum made by the fungus, Sclerotium rolfssii. It is similar to xanthan gum.

In cosmetics, Sclerotium Gum is used to thicken the texture and to help stabilize other ingredients.

As an emulsifier, Sclerotium Gum helps prevent ingredients from separating, such as water and oil.

Learn more about Sclerotium Gum

Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum contains this as ingredient number 36.

PSA SKIN Follow the Light Multi Acids & Vitamin C Radiance Peel contains this as ingredient number 14.

9
What it does: Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

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 Gum

Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum contains this as ingredient number 39.

PSA SKIN Follow the Light Multi Acids & Vitamin C Radiance Peel contains this as ingredient number 13.

10
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum contains this as ingredient number 46.

PSA SKIN Follow the Light Multi Acids & Vitamin C Radiance Peel contains this as ingredient number 38.

11
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Mica refers to a group of silicate minerals. Mica crystals are easily split to give products a shimmer. These crystals are able to reflect light to temporarily give your skin a glowy look.

Mica is found to be safe. Trace amounts of heavy metals may be found in mica, but these metals are not harmful in our personal products.

Mica has been used since prehistoric times throughout the world. Ancient Egyptian, Indian, Greek, Roman, Aztec, and Chinese civilizations have used mica.

Mica can be naturally found throughout the world. However, some sources of mica may be controversial. In 2016, mica mined in the Jharkhand state in India was found to be using child labor. However, companies are able to source ethical mica affiliated with international organizations that monitor the mica supply chain.

Learn more about Mica

Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum contains this as ingredient number 47.

PSA SKIN Follow the Light Multi Acids & Vitamin C Radiance Peel contains this as ingredient number 18.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

36% are loved or liked
11% have mixed ratings
38% are disliked or very disliked
15% have no rating yet
62% are loved or liked
8% have mixed ratings
21% are disliked or very disliked
10% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 6 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 4 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to PSA SKIN Follow the Light Multi Acids & Vitamin C Radiance Peel.

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