Q + A Apple AHA Exfoliating Gel Versus Fenty Beauty Pre-Show Glow Instant Retexturizing 10% AHA Treatment
Updated on December 27, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe exfoliators. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA
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 harsh alcohols, common allergens, 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
Q + A Apple AHA Exfoliating Gel 17 ingredients
Fenty Beauty Pre-Show Glow Instant Retexturizing 10% AHA Treatment 25 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Q + A Apple AHA Exfoliating Gel 17 ingredients
Fenty Beauty Pre-Show Glow Instant Retexturizing 10% AHA Treatment 25 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Malic Acid
Buffering
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Succinoglycan
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientBetaine
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingLactic Acid
Buffering
Papain
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract
Skin Conditioning
Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentMalpighia Punicifolia Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningAspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Cyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Citric Acid
Buffering
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Chloride
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate
UV AbsorberParfum
Masking
Water, Glycolic Acid, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Butylene Glycol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Glycerin, Potassium Hydroxide, Lactic Acid, Papain, Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Malpighia Punicifolia Fruit Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract, Panthenol, Cyanocobalamin, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Parfum
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolCitric 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 AcidGlycerin 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 GlycerinGlycolic 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 AcidLactic 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 AcidPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent 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.
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 HydroxideWater. 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 WaterIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Q + A Apple AHA Exfoliating Gel 17 ingredients
Fenty Beauty Pre-Show Glow Instant Retexturizing 10% AHA Treatment 25 ingredients
