Below is every ingredient in Liquorice & Lactic Acid Peel - 30g 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.
Lactic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid that exfoliates the skin by loosening bonds between corneocytes, promoting cell turnover, and acting as a humectant to improve hydration, texture, and tone. It is commonly used at concentrations ranging from low (hydration) to higher peel-strength formulations.
Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is a water-soluble active that supports the skin barrier, regulates sebum, brightens hyperpigmentation, and reduces inflammation. It is widely tolerated across skin types and used in concentrations commonly ranging from 2% to 10%.
Liquorice (licorice) extract is a botanical derived from Glycyrrhiza species, valued in skincare for its skin-brightening, soothing, and antioxidant properties, largely attributed to compounds such as glabridin, liquiritin, and glycyrrhizin. It is commonly used to reduce hyperpigmentation, calm irritation, and address redness.
Chamomile extract is a plant-derived ingredient (commonly from Matricaria chamomilla) used in skincare for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and skin-soothing properties, largely attributed to compounds like bisabolol, chamazulene, and flavonoids. It is often included to calm irritation, redness, and sensitive skin.
Calendula Extract, derived from the flowers of Calendula officinalis (marigold), is used in skincare for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and wound-soothing properties. It is commonly included to calm irritated or sensitive skin and support barrier recovery.
Sarcosine is an amino acid derivative (N-methylglycine) used in skincare primarily to help regulate sebum production and reduce skin oiliness, and it also serves as a building block for milder surfactants like sodium sarcosinate. It is most commonly incorporated into formulations targeting oily and acne-prone skin.
Aggregated from the active ingredients in this product.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Skin irritation or sensitivity | Very rare | Purified water is essentially inert; reactions are attributable to other formula components, not the water itself. |
| Transient skin barrier disruption from excessive exposure | Rare | Prolonged or repeated wetting can contribute to mild barrier compromise, but this relates to usage patterns rather than the ingredient. |
| Mild stinging or tingling on application | Common | Transient, often more noticeable at higher concentrations or on compromised skin. |
| Skin dryness or flaking | Common | Result of accelerated exfoliation, especially when overused. |
| Erythema (redness) | Common | Usually temporary; more pronounced with higher strengths. |
| Increased photosensitivity | Common | AHAs heighten UV sensitivity; daily sunscreen is advised. |
| Irritant contact dermatitis | Uncommon | Burning, itching, or persistent redness, often from overuse or high concentration. |
| Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation | Uncommon | More likely in darker skin tones following irritation. |
| Chemical burn or blistering | Rare | Associated with high-concentration peels or prolonged contact. |
| Allergic contact dermatitis | Very rare | True hypersensitivity to lactic acid is uncommon. |
| Mild transient stinging or irritation | Uncommon | More likely at high concentrations or on compromised/broken skin. |
| Tacky or sticky skin feel | Common | A cosmetic sensation rather than an adverse reaction, more noticeable at higher concentrations. |
| Contact dermatitis or allergic reaction | Rare | True allergy to glycerin is uncommon; patch-test positivity is infrequent. |
| Skin dehydration in very low humidity | Rare | In very dry environments humectants may draw water from deeper skin layers if not paired with an occlusive. |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.
| Ingredient | What it does |
|---|---|
| Purified Water Solvent/vehicle | Purified water is a highly filtered, deionized water used as the primary solvent and base in most skincare formulations. It dissolves water-soluble ingredients and provides the medium in which other components are dispersed. |
| Lactic Acid Key active Chemical exfoliant (AHA) | Lactic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid that exfoliates the skin by loosening bonds between corneocytes, promoting cell turnover, and acting as a humectant to improve hydration, texture, and tone. It is commonly used at concentrations ranging from low (hydration) to higher peel-strength formulations. |
| Glycerin Humectant | Glycerin is a widely used humectant that attracts and retains water in the skin, helping to hydrate the stratum corneum and support barrier function. It is considered safe and well-tolerated across most skin types and concentrations. |
| Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 Film-forming/sensory-enhancing rheology modifier | Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 is a synthetic crosslinked acrylate polymer used in skincare and cosmetic formulations to provide a smooth, silky sensory feel, stabilize emulsions, and help form a light film on the skin. It is a formulation aid rather than a biologically active treatment ingredient. |
| Niacinamide Key active Cell-communicating / barrier-repair active | Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is a water-soluble active that supports the skin barrier, regulates sebum, brightens hyperpigmentation, and reduces inflammation. It is widely tolerated across skin types and used in concentrations commonly ranging from 2% to 10%. |
| Sodium Hydroxide pH adjuster | Sodium hydroxide (lye) is a strong alkaline compound used in small amounts to adjust and stabilize the pH of cosmetic formulations. At regulated low concentrations in finished products it is considered safe, though it is corrosive in concentrated form. |
| Xylitylglucoside Humectant / moisturizer | Xylitylglucoside is a sugar-derived humectant, typically used in combination with anhydroxylitol and xylitol, that helps attract and retain water in the skin and supports the skin barrier. It is valued for its skin-hydrating and moisturizing properties in cosmetic formulations. |
| Anhydroxylitol Humectant / moisturizing agent | Anhydroxylitol is a sugar-derived (xylitol) humectant used in skincare to attract and retain water, helping to maintain skin hydration and barrier function. It is often combined with xylitol and xylitylglucoside to enhance the skin's natural moisturizing factors. |
| Xylitol Humectant / moisturizer | Xylitol is a sugar alcohol used in topical formulations as a humectant that helps attract and retain moisture in the skin, and it may support the skin's microbiome and barrier function. It is generally well tolerated and considered safe for topical use. |
| Liquorice Extract Key active Brightening / anti-inflammatory antioxidant | Liquorice (licorice) extract is a botanical derived from Glycyrrhiza species, valued in skincare for its skin-brightening, soothing, and antioxidant properties, largely attributed to compounds such as glabridin, liquiritin, and glycyrrhizin. It is commonly used to reduce hyperpigmentation, calm irritation, and address redness. |
| Chamomile Extract Key active Soothing/anti-inflammatory botanical extract | Chamomile extract is a plant-derived ingredient (commonly from Matricaria chamomilla) used in skincare for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and skin-soothing properties, largely attributed to compounds like bisabolol, chamazulene, and flavonoids. It is often included to calm irritation, redness, and sensitive skin. |
| Calendula Extract Key active Soothing botanical / anti-inflammatory | Calendula Extract, derived from the flowers of Calendula officinalis (marigold), is used in skincare for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and wound-soothing properties. It is commonly included to calm irritated or sensitive skin and support barrier recovery. |
| Aloe Vera Extract Soothing humectant/emollient | Aloe vera extract is a plant-derived ingredient valued for its hydrating, soothing, and mild anti-inflammatory properties in skincare. It is commonly used to calm irritation and support skin barrier comfort. |
| Phenoxy Ethanol Preservative | Phenoxyethanol is a widely used broad-spectrum preservative in cosmetic and skincare formulations, protecting products against bacterial and fungal contamination. It is typically used at concentrations up to 1%, often in combination with other preservatives. |
| Sodium Cocoyl Amino Acids Surfactant/cleansing agent | Sodium Cocoyl Amino Acids is a mild, amino acid-derived anionic surfactant obtained from coconut fatty acids, used to gently cleanse and create foam in facial washes and shampoos. It is valued for being less stripping and lower in irritation potential than conventional sulfate surfactants. |
| Sarcosine Key active Sebum regulator / antimicrobial agent | Sarcosine is an amino acid derivative (N-methylglycine) used in skincare primarily to help regulate sebum production and reduce skin oiliness, and it also serves as a building block for milder surfactants like sodium sarcosinate. It is most commonly incorporated into formulations targeting oily and acne-prone skin. |
| Potassium Asparate Skin-conditioning agent / amino acid salt | Potassium aspartate is the potassium salt of the amino acid aspartic acid, used in skincare primarily as a skin-conditioning and humectant-supporting ingredient that may aid moisture retention and support the skin barrier. It is generally considered a low-risk cosmetic additive rather than a clinically proven therapeutic active. |
| Magnesium Aspartate Skin-conditioning / mineral salt | Magnesium Aspartate is a magnesium salt of aspartic acid used in skincare primarily as a skin-conditioning agent and source of magnesium, sometimes included to support skin barrier function and hydration. It typically functions as a supporting ingredient rather than a primary therapeutic active. |
| Acacia Senegal Gum Film-former / stabilizer | Acacia Senegal gum (gum arabic) is a natural polysaccharide derived from acacia tree sap, used in skincare as a thickener, emulsion stabilizer, and film-forming agent that imparts a smooth feel and helps suspend ingredients. It is generally regarded as a non-active, well-tolerated formulation ingredient. |
| 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. |
| Disodium EDTA Chelating agent | Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent used in cosmetics to bind metal ions, improving product stability, preventing rancidity, and enhancing the efficacy of preservatives. It is a formulation/base ingredient rather than a treatment active. |
| Allantoin Key active Soothing/skin-conditioning agent | Allantoin is a naturally derived or synthetically produced compound used in skincare for its soothing, moisturizing, and keratolytic (skin-softening) properties. It promotes cell proliferation and helps calm irritation, commonly appearing in creams, lotions, and after-sun products. |
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.