SweetSpot Labs Buff & Brighten AHA/BHA Body Exfoliating Pads Versus MediCube Red Acne Body Peeling Shot
Updated on February 24, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe body scrubs. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA, BHA and niacinamide
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any 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
SweetSpot Labs Buff & Brighten AHA/BHA Body Exfoliating Pads 16 ingredients
MediCube Red Acne Body Peeling Shot 44 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
SweetSpot Labs Buff & Brighten AHA/BHA Body Exfoliating Pads 16 ingredients
MediCube Red Acne Body Peeling Shot 44 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Water
AstringentAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Polydextrose
HumectantDextrin
AbsorbentAmylopectin
Citric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBenzoic Acid
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Dipropylene Glycol
MaskingCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Methylpropanediol
SolventC12-14 Alketh-12
EmulsifyingGlucose
HumectantGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
Masking
Dextrin
AbsorbentSorbeth-30 Tetraoleate
Emulsifying
Mentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Succinic Acid
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Masking
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Lavandula Hybrida Oil
Emollient
Mentha Arvensis Extract
MaskingEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract
Perfuming
Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningJuniperus Mexicana Oil
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water
Antimicrobial
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Decyl Glucoside
CleansingCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Leaf Extract
AstringentPinus Densiflora Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Melaleuca Cajaputi Extract
Tonic
Cynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Lactic Acid, Alcohol, Gluconolactone, Dipropylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Niacinamide, Methylpropanediol, C12-14 Alketh-12, Glucose, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Salicylic Acid, Dextrin, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Mentha Piperita Oil, Succinic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Mentha Arvensis Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Brassica Oleracea Capitata Leaf Extract, Juniperus Mexicana Oil, Panthenol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Allantoin, Glycolic Acid, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water, Butylene Glycol, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Cladosiphon Okamuranus Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Decyl Glucoside, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Leaf Extract, Pinus Densiflora Leaf Extract, Melaleuca Cajaputi Extract, Cynanchum Atratum Extract
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 AcidSodium 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 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 AcidSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.
This multitasking property makes it a great ingredient for cleaning out pores, controlling oil production, and reducing inflammation.
Unlike AHAs which are water soluble, Salicylic Acid is oil soluble. This means that it's able to exfoliate the inside of pores and reduce blackheads.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing a Salicylic Acid into your routine.
In general, Salicylic Acid is a great ingredient for oily acne-prone skin.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun-sensitivity, we still recommend wearing SPF.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidNiacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.
It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.
Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.
The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.
Learn more about NiacinamideDextrin is used to thicken a product and helps bind ingredients together. It is created from starch and glycogen.
As an emulsifier, dextrin prevents ingredients from separating. This helps elongate a product's shelf life.
Studies show coating UV filters with dextrin prevents these ingredients from being absorbed. This helps UV ingredients last longer on the skin.
Learn more about DextrinCitric 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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Ingredient Ratings
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