Below is every ingredient in Cosiq Aha Glycolic Acid 10 Face Cleanser explained, its standout actives, and the side effects reported in research for those actives — analysed for Indian skin.
Flags derived from the ingredient list using dermatology reference data (fungal-acne substrate, comedogenicity, EU allergens). General guidance, not a diagnosis.
Answers are derived from the printed ingredient list and dermatology reference data — general guidance, not a diagnosis or a therapeutic claim.
Glycolic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid derived from sugar cane that exfoliates by loosening bonds between dead skin cells on the surface, promoting cell turnover and improving texture, tone, and fine lines. It is one of the smallest AHAs, allowing relatively deep penetration into the skin.
Hyaluronic acid is a glycosaminoglycan that attracts and binds water to the skin, helping to maintain hydration and improve the appearance of plumpness and smoothness. It is widely used in moisturizers and serums and is generally well tolerated across skin types.
Aggregated from the active ingredients in this product.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Skin irritation or dryness | Uncommon | Mild surfactant, but high concentrations or prolonged contact can disrupt the skin barrier. |
| Eye irritation/stinging | Uncommon | Possible transient stinging if rinse-off product contacts the eyes. |
| Allergic contact dermatitis | Rare | Sensitization to surfactants is infrequent but reported in predisposed individuals. |
| Skin irritation, stinging, or burning sensation | Common | Often dose- and concentration-dependent, especially at low pH or high percentages. |
| Redness (erythema) | Common | Usually transient and resolves after application or with reduced frequency. |
| Dryness and peeling | Common | Result of increased exfoliation; mitigated by moisturizer use. |
| Increased photosensitivity (sun sensitivity) | Common | AHAs reduce stratum corneum thickness; daily sunscreen is advised. |
| Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation | Uncommon | More likely in darker skin tones or with overuse/irritation. |
| Contact dermatitis or allergic reaction | Rare | Genuine allergy is uncommon; most reactions are irritant rather than allergic. |
| Chemical burns or blistering | Rare | Typically associated with high concentrations, low pH, or prolonged contact in peels. |
| Scarring | Very rare | Reported with improper high-strength peel application or severe burns. |
| Skin or eye irritation | Uncommon | Mild stinging or irritation, more likely in concentrated or rinse-off products and around the eyes. |
| Cross-reactivity with related surfactants | Rare | Patch-test reactions may overlap with chemically related amphoteric or amine-containing surfactants. |
| Mild stinging or burning on application | Uncommon | Transient sensation, more likely on broken or compromised skin. |
| Contact urticaria | Rare | Hives or wheals reported in sensitized individuals shortly after contact. |
| Worsening of irritation due to anthraquinones | Rare | Trace residual latex compounds (e.g., aloin) in poorly purified extracts may cause irritation. |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.
| Ingredient | What it does |
|---|---|
| Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate Surfactant/cleansing agent | Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate is a mild, sulfate-free amphoteric/anionic surfactant derived from glucose and fatty alcohols, used in cleansers and shampoos to provide gentle foaming and cleansing. It is valued for low irritation potential and good compatibility with sensitive skin. |
| Glycolic Acid Key active Chemical exfoliant (AHA) | Glycolic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid derived from sugar cane that exfoliates by loosening bonds between dead skin cells on the surface, promoting cell turnover and improving texture, tone, and fine lines. It is one of the smallest AHAs, allowing relatively deep penetration into the skin. |
| Cocamidopropyl Betaine Surfactant / foaming cleanser | Cocamidopropyl Betaine is an amphoteric surfactant derived from coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, used in cleansers, shampoos, and body washes to provide gentle foaming, viscosity, and to reduce the harshness of stronger anionic surfactants. It is widely regarded as mild but is a recognized contact allergen. |
| Aloe Vera Leaf Extract Soothing/humectant | Aloe vera leaf extract is a plant-derived ingredient used to soothe, hydrate, and condition the skin. It contains polysaccharides, vitamins, and enzymes that support moisturization and may help calm minor irritation. |
| Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate Mild surfactant/cleansing agent | Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate (SLMI) is a gentle anionic surfactant derived from coconut-based fatty acids and isethionic acid, used to cleanse and produce a soft, creamy lather in syndet bars, facial cleansers, and body washes. It is valued for its mildness relative to harsher sulfates and good compatibility with sensitive skin. |
| Glycerine Humectant | Glycerine (glycerol) is a humectant that draws water into the stratum corneum and helps maintain skin hydration and barrier function. It is widely used as a base/formulation ingredient in moisturizers, cleansers, and serums. |
| Cetyl Alcohol Emollient / emulsifier | Cetyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol used in skincare and cosmetics as an emollient, thickener, and emulsion stabilizer. It softens skin and helps maintain the consistency and texture of creams and lotions. |
| Hyaluronic Acid Key active Humectant / hydrating agent | Hyaluronic acid is a glycosaminoglycan that attracts and binds water to the skin, helping to maintain hydration and improve the appearance of plumpness and smoothness. It is widely used in moisturizers and serums and is generally well tolerated across skin types. |
| Benzyl Alcohol (And) Ethylhexylglycerin (And) Tocopherol Preservative blend / antioxidant | A multifunctional formulation blend combining benzyl alcohol and ethylhexylglycerin as preservatives/skin-conditioning agents with tocopherol (vitamin E) as an antioxidant. It is used to protect products from microbial spoilage and oxidation rather than to treat skin conditions. |
| Natural Betaine Humectant/osmolyte | Natural betaine (trimethylglycine), often derived from sugar beet, is a small osmolyte that attracts and retains water in the skin and helps protect cells against osmotic and environmental stress. It is used in skincare and cosmetics primarily as a moisturizing agent and to improve product mildness and texture. |
| Xanthan Gum Thickener/stabilizer | Xanthan gum is a polysaccharide produced by bacterial fermentation, used in skincare as a thickening, gelling, and emulsion-stabilizing agent. It improves product texture and suspension of ingredients without contributing active treatment effects. |
| Sodium Pca Humectant | Sodium PCA (sodium pyrrolidone carboxylic acid) is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid and a component of the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF). It is widely used in cosmetics as a water-binding humectant to hydrate and soften the skin. |
| Xylitylglucoside (And) Anhydroxylitol (And) Xylitol Humectant / moisturizing complex | Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, and Xylitol form a sugar-derived humectant blend (often marketed as Aquaxyl) that attracts and binds water in the skin while supporting the skin's natural moisturizing factors and barrier function. It is used to improve hydration and reduce transepidermal water loss in moisturizers and other leave-on or rinse-off formulations. |
| Saccharide Isomerate Humectant / moisturizer | Saccharide Isomerate is a plant-derived carbohydrate complex that binds to the skin's keratin to provide long-lasting hydration and improve moisture retention. It is structurally similar to carbohydrates naturally found in the skin's upper layers. |
| Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride Conditioning agent / cationic polymer | Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride is a quaternized, cationic derivative of guar gum used in skincare and haircare as a conditioning, antistatic, and viscosity-modifying agent. It deposits on negatively charged skin and hair surfaces to improve softness, manageability, and texture. |
| Sodium Gluconate Chelating agent / skin-conditioning | Sodium gluconate is the sodium salt of gluconic acid used in skincare primarily as a chelating agent to bind metal ions and stabilize formulations, with secondary humectant and skin-conditioning properties. It is generally considered a base/formulation ingredient rather than an active treatment. |
| Polyquaternium-10 Conditioning/film-former | Polyquaternium-10 is a cationic cellulose-derived polymer used in skincare and hair care to provide conditioning, smoothing, antistatic effects, and to form a thin film on skin and hair. It is a formulation/texture ingredient rather than a biologically active treatment. |
Key active = does the main work. Ingredient explanations are drawn from public databases & literature.
Peer-reviewed papers on the active ingredients in this product, via PubMed.