Gilda Liljeblad Activating AHA Toner

Gilda Liljeblad Activating AHA Toner
5.0
/ 10
Moisturizing
10.0 Humectancy icon Humectancy
0.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
0.4Anti-wrinkle icon/ 10
Anti-wrinkle
Rich
in Antioxidants

Review

Results you may expect from using Gilda Liljeblad Activating AHA Toner:

Based on the ingredient analysis by CreamScan, these are the key benefits you can expect from using Gilda Liljeblad Activating AHA Toner:

  • Moderate moisturizing. It has a moisturizing rating of 5.0 out of 10.
  • Little anti-wrinkle effect: Gilda Liljeblad Activating AHA Toner has an anti-wrinkle rating of 0.4 out of 10, so you may expect a positive, although insignificant, effect on wrinkles.
  • Antioxidant protection.

How moisturizing is it?

Quite moisturizing: Gilda Liljeblad Activating AHA Toner has a moisturizing rating of 5.0 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? It is purely humectant. It has zero occlusivity (we didn't find any occlusive ingredients on the ingredient list) and a maximum humectancy of 10 out of 10, primarily due to the high content of Glycerin (est. ≈6.0%) and Saccharum Officinarum (Sugarcane) Extract (est. ≈2.0%).

Tip: Studies suggest that humectants alone do not moisturize the skin. We recommend applying a product with some occlusive ingredients after the use of this one.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the moisturizing rating calculation.

Anti-wrinkle efficacy

According to CreamScan analysis, Gilda Liljeblad Activating AHA Toner has a minimal anti-wrinkle rating of 0.4 out of 10. It contains one ingredient with proven anti-wrinkle efficacy: Niacinamide (est. ≈0.3%),
 one of the most effective and well-researched anti-wrinkle ingredients.
 
Moisturizers, when used regularly, are proven to prevent wrinkle formation and even reduce existing wrinkles. Therefore, this product, like any other moisturizer, could deliver additional anti-wrinkle efficacy through its moisturizing action.
 

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the anti-wrinkle rating calculation.

Antioxidant benefits

We estimate that Gilda Liljeblad Activating AHA Toner is rich (> 3%) in antioxidants, specifically Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract (est. ≈4.0%) and Saccharum Officinarum (Sugarcane) Extract (est. ≈2.0%).

A key benefit of antioxidants is their ability to reduce oxidative stress caused by free radicals and therefore prevent accelerated skin aging. Studies also show that antioxidants can protect against environmental damage such as UV radiation and pollution, and help reduce inflammation and skin redness.

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
70
Water
6
Glycerin
4
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
3
Polysorbate 20
2
Saccharum Officinarum (Sugarcane) Extract
1.5
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract
1.3
Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract
1
Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract
0.3
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
0.3
Urea
0.3
Glycine
0.3
Lactic Acid
0.3
Niacinamide
0.3
Fructose
0.3
Bisabolol
0.3
Sodium PCA
0.3
Trideceth-9
0.3
Propylene Glycol
0.3
Sodium Lactate
0.3
Inositol
0.3
Sodium Benzoate
0.3
Disodium EDTA
0.3
Benzoic Acid
0.3
Dehydroacetic Acid
0.3
Amylcinnamyl Alcohol
0.3
Citral
0.3
Citronellol
0.3
Hydroxycitronellal
0.3
Eugenol
0.3
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
0.3
Hexyl Cinnamal
0.3
Benzyl Cinnamate
0.3
Cinnamyl Alcohol
0.3
Methyl 2-Octynoate
0.3
Amyl Cinnamal
0.3
Benzyl Benzoate
0.3
Geraniol
0.3
Benzyl Salicylate
0.3
Phenoxyethanol
0.3
Isoeugenol
0.3
Limonene
0.3
Farnesol
Est. %
Water
Function:
Origin:
Glycerin
Function:
Origin:
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Function:
Origin:
Polysorbate 20
Function:
Origin:
Saccharum Officinarum (Sugarcane) Extract
Function:
Origin:
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract
Function:
Origin:
Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract
Function:
Origin:
Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract
Function:
Origin:
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Function:
Origin:
Urea
Function:
Origin:
Glycine
Function:
Origin:
Lactic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Niacinamide
Function:
Origin:
Fructose
Function:
Origin:
Bisabolol
Function:
Origin:
Sodium PCA
Function:
Origin:
Trideceth-9
Function:
Origin:
Propylene Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Lactate
Function:
Origin:
Inositol
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Benzoate
Function:
Origin:
Disodium EDTA
Function:
Origin:
Benzoic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Dehydroacetic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Amylcinnamyl Alcohol
Function:
Origin:
Citral
Function:
Origin:
Citronellol
Function:
Origin:
Hydroxycitronellal
Function:
Origin:
Eugenol
Function:
Origin:
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Function:
Origin:
Hexyl Cinnamal
Function:
Origin:
Benzyl Cinnamate
Function:
Origin:
Cinnamyl Alcohol
Function:
Origin:
Methyl 2-Octynoate
Function:
Origin:
Amyl Cinnamal
Function:
Origin:
Benzyl Benzoate
Function:
Origin:
Geraniol
Function:
Origin:
Benzyl Salicylate
Function:
Origin:
Phenoxyethanol
Function:
Origin:
Isoeugenol
Function:
Origin:
Limonene
Function:
Origin:
Farnesol
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
10.7
6
2
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
5.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 10.7 10
10.0
6
2
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
None
Moisturizing rating
5.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
6
2
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All humectants 10.7 10
10
All humectants
10.7
6
2
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
None
All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
6 /10 4 0.3 0.4
Total
0.4
Niacinamide
0.4
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
6 /10
when present at, %
4
in this formula, est. %
0.3
Anti-wrinkle rating
0.4
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
4
2
1.5
1
0.3
All antioxidants 8.8 3 Rich in antioxidants
All antioxidants
8.8
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
4
Saccharum Officinarum (Sugarcane) Extract
2
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract
1.5
Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract
1
Niacinamide
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
0.3
0.3
All soothing 0.6 5 No
All soothing
0.6
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %70
Function
Origin
WaterThe most used ingredient in skincare. Its concentration defines the product texture: rich creams may have about 50% of water while a light jelly about 90%. Water doesn’t moisturize the skin by itself and is used in skincare as a solvent for other ingredients.
Glycerin
Est. %6
Function
Origin
Glycerin

The most popular moisturizing ingredient in the world. It is a powerful humectant – cheap yet very effective.

Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Est. %4
Function
Origin
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit ExtractAn extract derived from the berries of the bilberry plant, sometimes called European blueberry. It is rich in antioxidant anthocyanins and astringent tannins.
Polysorbate 20
Est. %3
Function
Origin
Polysorbate 20A viscous, amber-colored liquid that functions as a solubilizer to disperse small amounts of oil into a large water phase. Polysorbate 20 is frequently used to solubilize fragrance oils into water-based emulsions.
Saccharum Officinarum (Sugarcane) Extract
Est. %2
Function
Origin
Saccharum Officinarum (Sugarcane) ExtractAn antioxidant extract from sugarcane, the famous crop used to make sugar. It acts as a humectant and exfoliating agent – the little sugar crystals mechanically remove dead skin cells from the skin’s surface.
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit ExtractAn extract from the fruit of the sweet orange. It contains fragrant sweet orange essential oil, high amounts of antioxidant flavonoids (mainly hesperidin), and carotenoids – which give it the orange color.
Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract
Est. %1.3
Function
Origin
Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit ExtractA fragrant extract from lemon peels that contains various antioxidant flavonoids, organic acids, and limonoids – which are currently under investigation as potential anti-wrinkle and anti-pigment compounds.
Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) ExtractAn antioxidant extract from sugar maple bark and sap – the same sweet sap used to make maple syrup. It has a faint vanilla smell and is used in skincare for its exfoliating properties. This is because of the small sugar crystals present in the extract.
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilA castor oil-derived ingredient often used to incorporate small amounts of oil (such as a fragrance) into a water-based product. PEG-4 HCO is a gold-standard solubilizer and can be used in low amounts due to its ability to solubilize things so well.
Urea
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
UreaUrea can be found in urine, skin, and other tissues as a degradation product of proteins. In concentrations below 5%, urea is humectant moisturizing. At concentrations above 10% it is keratolytic, that helps to break away old, flaking, and cracked skin.
Glycine
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
GlycineA humectant moisturizing amino acid that is a part of skin's Natural Moisturizing Factor. Some recent studies suggest that it may have barrier repair properties.
Lactic Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Lactic AcidThe most popular AHA in skincare and less irritating than glycolic acid. It can be naturally found in sour milk. It is a humectant moisturizing, pH stabilizing, and gently exfoliating ingredient, able to soften dry, cracked, and peeling skin.
Niacinamide
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Niacinamide

Also known as vitamin B3, this ingredient is a true superstar with confirmed moisturizing, anti-acne, hyperpigmentation, and antioxidant benefits. Two studies confirm its significant anti-wrinkle efficacy.

Fructose
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
FructoseA natural sugar that moisturizes the skin by drawing water to the surface.
Bisabolol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
BisabololAn anti-inflammatory compound found naturally in German chamomile essential oil. It has a pleasant, sweet, and floral scent. Bisabolol also has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties but can cause an allergic reaction in more sensitive individuals.
Sodium PCA
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium PCAOne of the most important parts of the skin's Natural Moisturizing Factor, a mixture of various compounds that keeps the skin’s surface well hydrated. Sodium PCA is used in skincare for its fantastic humectant properties.
Trideceth-9
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Trideceth-9Description is coming soon
Propylene Glycol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Propylene GlycolA clear, thick, odorless liquid of synthetic origin. Its main function is to stabilize cosmetic products exposed to varying temperatures. It is also a moderately strong humectant with similar properties to glycerin.
Sodium Lactate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium LactateA sodium salt of lactic acid. Its main function is as a humectant but it can also serve as a pH adjuster. Additionally, sodium lactate can also be used as a chemical exfoliant due to its close chemical relation to lactic acid.
Inositol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
InositolA humectant moisturizing, sugar-like compound that is present in all the cells of the body, but especially the brain. It is manufactured from sugar beets or carob tree pods for skincare purposes.
Sodium Benzoate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium BenzoateA preservative that usually works in combination with other preservatives. It has to be at low pH (<5.5) to be effective.
Disodium EDTA
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Disodium EDTAA synthetic chelator that helps to maintain the look and smell of a product by 'locking up' troublesome metal ions.
Benzoic Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Benzoic AcidA preservative effective against fungi, yeast, and some bacteria. It is commonly paired with phenoxyethanol to create a broad spectrum preservation system. Benzoic acid can also serve as a pH adjuster, fragrance, and bulking agent.
Dehydroacetic Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Dehydroacetic AcidA globally approved preservative ingredient. It is a powerful fungicide and a moderate bactericide, which makes it a broad-spectrum preservative. Because it is mildly effective against bacteria, it is often paired with stronger bactericides.
Amylcinnamyl Alcohol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Amylcinnamyl AlcoholDescription is coming soon
Citral
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
CitralA fragrant compound found in many essential oils (especially lemon myrtle and lemongrass essential oil). It has a sweet, lemon-like scent. People with sensitive skin should try to avoid products with citral, or at least do a patch test before using.
Citronellol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
CitronellolA fragrant compound found naturally in many essential oils (mainly lemongrass). It can have a lemon or a rose scent. People with sensitive skin should try to avoid products with citronellol, or at least do a patch test before using it.
Hydroxycitronellal
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
HydroxycitronellalA fragrant compound with a scent reminiscent of lilies and sweet tropical melon. It can be found in many different essential oils (such as palmarosa, ylang-ylang, and lemongrass essential oil) but is manufactured synthetically from citronellal.
Eugenol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
EugenolA fragrant liquid that can be found naturally in the essential oils derived from cloves, cinnamon, basil, and bay leaf. It has a spicy and warm scent. People with sensitive skin should consider doing a patch test first, as it is a potential irritant.
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Butylphenyl MethylpropionalA synthetic fragrance ingredient used to recreate the scent of lilies, this ingredient also features fresh, green, and powdery notes. Butylphenyl Methylpropional was recently labeled as Toxic to Reproduction in the EU and will be banned in 2022.
Hexyl Cinnamal
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Hexyl CinnamalA synthetic scent ingredient that produces a jasmine-like fragrance. According to the International Fragrance Association (IFRA), hexyl cinnamal is a skin sensitizer and allergen and so its use in skincare should be limited.
Benzyl Cinnamate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Benzyl CinnamateDescription is coming soon
Cinnamyl Alcohol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Cinnamyl AlcoholA naturally-found or synthetically produced component of fragrances. It smells sweet, spicy, and cinnamon-like. It is a known fragrance allergen, but not expected to be irritating when used below recommended limits.
Methyl 2-Octynoate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Methyl 2-OctynoateDescription is coming soon
Amyl Cinnamal
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Amyl CinnamalA naturally-occuring and synthetically produced component of some fragrances. It smells of jasmine and slightly spicy. It is a known fragrance allergen, but not expected to be irritating when used below recommended limits.
Benzyl Benzoate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Benzyl BenzoateA fragrance ingredient with a fruity and woody scent. It is considered an allergen according to the International Fragrance Association (IFRA), which means that care must be taken when determining usage levels in skincare products.
Geraniol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
GeraniolA fragrant, volatile, plant-based, liquid chemical that can be naturally found in many essential oils (specifically rose, palmarosa, citronella). It has a rose-like scent. It is a potential irritant and may cause an allergic reaction in some people.
Benzyl Salicylate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Benzyl SalicylateA fragrance ingredient with a sweet, floral, and slightly balsamic scent. It is one of the twenty-six fragrances that are considered allergens according to the International Fragrance Association (IFRA), and so its use is restricted.
Phenoxyethanol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PhenoxyethanolThe most frequently used preservative in skincare. It is a clear, oil-like liquid synthetic substance that protects products from harmful bacteria and yeast, whilst still leaving skin microflora unharmed. It is confirmed by research to be harmless.
Isoeugenol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
IsoeugenolA fragrant compound found in ylang-ylang essential oil that has a vanilla-like, creamy, and sweet aroma.
Limonene
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
LimoneneOne of the most used fragrances in skincare products. It is produced from the peels of citrus fruits and has a fresh, pleasant, citrusy smell. People who are sensitive to citrus should try to avoid it, or at least do a patch test before using it.
Farnesol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
FarnesolA fragrant, liquid alcohol that is naturally found in many essential oils. It has a soft, sweet, floral scent. People with sensitive skin should try to avoid it, or at least do a patch test before using it.