Versus

The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA Versus Secret Key Lemon Sparkling Peeling Gel

Exfoliator
Exfoliator
Canadian Brand Canada
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on March 04, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe exfoliators. They have a total of 2 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots

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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant 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

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Lemon Sparkling Peeling Gel

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse. 

It is a:

  • Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
  • Emollient, helping to soften skin
  • Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
  • Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives 

When to use

746 Routines
15% use in am
85% use in pm
59% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
16 Routines
31% use in am
69% use in pm
50% use every day

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA 15 ingredients

4.3 /5
from 7 ratings
Works Well (3) Absorbs Well (2) Great Value (2)
featherstone's avatar

flora

6 months ago
Review

Holy grail for real. This stuff works instantly overnight to sooth acne and balance skin tone/texture. Everytime I do some damage picking at my skin, this serum basically undoes it all. Fantastic for maintenance whilst purging acne, I use this in rotation with the inkey list BHA serum and they have resurfaced and evened out all my fungal acne, going to move onto the 10% for clearing up my scars Show more

#light
#absorbs well
#works well
somaliskin's avatar

h♡

9 months ago
Review

🤍 been using this for 2 years now, and i've really seen significant changes in my skin—especially with hyperpigmentation and texture ♡ however, it can be a bit irritating since i have sensitive skin, and it feels a little harsh when i combine it with the niacinamide 10% + zinc from the ordinary too. so, on my heavier days where my skin is extra sensitive, i skip this serum and just use moisturizer Show more

#great value
#absorbs well
#no scent
#works well

Secret Key Lemon Sparkling Peeling Gel 28 ingredients

3.8 /5
from 4 ratings
Great Value (2) Works Well (2) Drying (1)
mum.of.routine's avatar

A A

13 days ago
Review

This peeling is effective, but it is quite harsh and sometimes irritates the skin.

#great value
#drying
#irritating
#light
AYO1969's avatar

AYO1969

2 years ago
Review

not sure it really works
the skin does feel fresh and clean afterwards, but it dried my skin very much.. im not really sure its a legit exfoliator. a lot of sketchy ingerdients...