Soft Services SMOOTHING SOLUTION Calming Gel Exfoliant Versus Topicals Slather Exfoliating Body Serum with Retinol and AHAs
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe . They have a total of 5 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA
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 harsh alcohols, 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
Soft Services SMOOTHING SOLUTION Calming Gel Exfoliant 15 ingredients
Topicals Slather Exfoliating Body Serum with Retinol and AHAs 27 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
Soft Services SMOOTHING SOLUTION Calming Gel Exfoliant 15 ingredients
Topicals Slather Exfoliating Body Serum with Retinol and AHAs 27 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Urea
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingTrehalose
Humectant
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingGlycerin
Humectant
Arnica Montana Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Water
Skin ConditioningDiethylhexyl Succinate
EmollientC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Retinol
Skin Conditioning
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Urea
Buffering
Squalane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
C13-14 Isoparaffin
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Polyacrylamide
Laureth-7
EmulsifyingCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Water, Diethylhexyl Succinate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycolic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Potassium Hydroxide, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Retinol, Lactic Acid, Urea, Squalane, Glycerin, Phospholipids, Ubiquinone, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyacrylamide, Laureth-7, Cetearyl Glucoside, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, 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 WaterLactic 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 AcidUrea is also called carbamide and is the diamide of carbonic acid. In cosmetics, urea is used to hydrate the skin. It also provides exfoliation in higher concentrations.
As a humectant, urea helps draw moisture from the air and from deep within the skin. This helps hydrate your skin. Studies show urea is an effective moisturizer for dry skin conditions. 40% urea is typical in medications for treating eczema and other skin conditions.
Urea has the strongest exfoliation effect in concentrations higher than 10%. It is a keratolytic agent, meaning it breaks down the keratin protein in the top layer of skin. This helps remove dead skin cells and flaking skin.
In medicine, urea has been shown to help increase the potency of other ingredients, such as fungal treatments.
Humans and animals use urea to metabolize nitrogen-containing compounds. Urea is highly soluble in water. Once dissolved, it is neither acidic nor alkaline.
Learn more about UreaGlycerin 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 GlycerinPhenoxyethanol 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.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Soft Services SMOOTHING SOLUTION Calming Gel Exfoliant 15 ingredients
Topicals Slather Exfoliating Body Serum with Retinol and AHAs 27 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Soft Services SMOOTHING SOLUTION Calming Gel Exfoliant 15 ingredients
I really like how this left my skin feeling post shower! I did my typical shower routine and then dried off and applied this all over. I think I used too much, because I went to follow with a moisturizer and there was some pilling. Next time I’ll wait longer in between and apply less overall. I woke up this morning with truly baby smooth skin, it worked better than manual exfoliation for sure. I Show more
This definitely works to exfoliate the skin. I have issues with the brand though, so probably will not repurchase.
Topicals Slather Exfoliating Body Serum with Retinol and AHAs 27 ingredients
On my second bottle.
Expensive but it does gently exfoliate and smooth skin. I use some of this lotion on my heels after exfoliating the calluses and it helps a ton in regard to removing further dead skin. The solution sinks into the skin and isn't tacky or sticky. I have also noticed some discoloration on my legs fading.
My only complaint is the way the lotion is packaged, as it is hard to Show more
Holy grail! Gentle and effective. Non greasy. Very moisturizing. Helped improve rough texture and PIH.
