KEY INGREDIENTS:
Glycolic acid, lactic acid, and citric acid (exfoliates); salicylic acid (unclogs pores); green tea leaf extract (antioxidant); virgin marula oil and raspberry fruit extract (moisturize); bearberry extract (fights hyperpigmentation); cactus extract (anti-inflammatory)
HOW IT LOOKS/FEELS/SMELLS:
The packaging warns of a tingling sensation during the first use, but instead, this clear, fragrance-free gel is refreshingly cooling as it goes on. It dries a tad sticky, but that's a small price to pay.
WHY WE LIKE IT:
If you just looked at that ingredient list and thought, Holy crap! That's a lot of acid, let us explain why it isn't actually overkill. Individual acids have specific strengths, so combining several at different concentrations makes the serum as effective as a straight-up glycolic acid, but far more gentle. It buffs away dead skin cells, unclogs oily pores, evens out skin tone, and helps increase collagen all without irritation, says dermatologist Jason Emer. "The combination of AHAs gives this serum the ability to penetrate deeper into the skin and perform synergistically better than any [single AHA] alone." The end result? Skin that looks brighter, smoother, and damn near poreless.
PRICE*: $90
—Lauren Caruso
*Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price