Glowbiotics Acne Clarifying + Refining Treatment

Glowbiotics Acne Clarifying + Refining Treatment
5.0
/ 10
Moisturizing
10.0 Humectancy icon Humectancy
0.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
1.5Anti-wrinkle icon/ 10
Anti-wrinkle

Review

Does Glowbiotics Acne Clarifying + Refining Treatment work?

Based on the ingredient list analysis by CreamScan AI, these are the key benefits you can expect from using Glowbiotics Acne Clarifying + Refining Treatment:

  • Strong humectant moisturizing. This lightweight, humectant-rich product, ideal for oily skin, has a moisturizing rating of 5.0 out of 10.
  • Little anti-wrinkle effect: Glowbiotics Acne Clarifying + Refining Treatment has an anti-wrinkle rating of 1.5 out of 10, so you may expect a positive, although insignificant, effect on wrinkles.

Lightweight moisturizer ideal for oily skin and a humectant boost for any skincare routine

According to CreamScan analysis, Glowbiotics Acne Clarifying + Refining Treatment is quite moisturizing, with 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 Butylene Glycol (est. ≈70.0%).

This humectant-rich product, when used alone as a moisturizer, is ideal for oily skin, providing significant hydration in a lightweight, fast-absorbing formula without any occlusive ingredients.

Tip: Certain studies suggest that humectants alone may not effectively moisturize the skin. If you use this product as your only moisturizer, we recommend following it with one that contains at least some occlusive ingredients.

But it’s not limited to oily skin - such a humectant boost will also positively contribute to the moisturizing efficacy of any skincare routine when used as a step before applying the main moisturizer. This type of formulation is typically used in serums, where a light, fast-absorbing texture is key.

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

Little anti-wrinkle efficacy

According to CreamScan analysis, Glowbiotics Acne Clarifying + Refining Treatment has a minimal anti-wrinkle rating of 1.5 out of 10.

It contains one ingredient with proven anti-wrinkle efficacy: Glycolic Acid (est. ≈22.0%), 
 a highly effective ingredient in peelings but with moderate anti-wrinkle efficacy in leave-on skincare products, as supported by a single clinical study. This study, involving 72 participants (Thibault et al.), demonstrated that a lotion with 5% GA reduced the fine wrinkling score by 6% after 34 days of use, compared to a vehicle (the same formulation without GA).
 
Moisturizers, when used regularly, are proven to prevent wrinkle formation and even reduce existing wrinkles. Therefore, this product, like any other moisturizer, can deliver some anti-wrinkle effects through its moisturizing action.
 

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

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
70
22
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
Est. %
Butylene Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Glycolic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Salicylic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Polyquaternium-10
Function:
Origin:
Eucalyptus Globulus Oil
Function:
Origin:
Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract
Function:
Origin:
Acetyl Carboxymethyl Cocoyl Glycine
Function:
Origin:
Myristoyl Tetrapeptide-13
Function:
Origin:
Lactobacillus/Saccharomyces/Rice/Sucrose Ferment Filtrate
Function:
Origin:
Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Pentylene Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Potassium Hydroxide
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
72.3
70
1
1
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
5.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 72.3 10
10.0
70
1
1
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
None
Moisturizing rating
5.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
70
1
1
0.3
All humectants 72.3 10
10
All humectants
72.3
70
1
1
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
1.5 /10 5 22 1.5
Total
1.5
Glycolic Acid
1.5
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
1.5 /10
when present at, %
5
in this formula, est. %
22
Anti-wrinkle rating
1.5
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
1
All antioxidants 1 3 No
All antioxidants
1
Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract
1
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
2
1
0.3
All soothing 3.3 5 No
All soothing
3.3
2
1
0.3
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Butylene Glycol
Est. %70
Function
Origin
Butylene Glycol

A clear, colorless liquid humectant that draws moisture to the skin. The humectancy of butylene glycol, owed to its two hydroxyl groups, is quite considerable, although not as powerful as glycerin, which contains three hydroxyl groups.

Glycolic Acid
Est. %22
Function
Origin
Glycolic Acid

The second most used AHA (after lactic acid) known for its potent exfoliating and smoothing effects. It increases skin cell turnover, which is beneficial for treating acne. When used in peels, glycolic acid has confirmed anti-wrinkle efficacy, though it is less effective in leave-on products like creams and serums.

Salicylic Acid
Est. %2
Function
Origin
Salicylic AcidThis effective peeling and anti-inflammatory BHA is used as an anti-acne agent and works by breaking down the junctions between dead skin cells. This results in the peeling of dead skin and the unclogging of pores.
Polyquaternium-10
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Polyquaternium-10A cellulose-based film former.
Eucalyptus Globulus Oil
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Eucalyptus Globulus Oil
Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root ExtractAn extract from the licorice root. It contains a well-researched anti-inflammatory compound called glycyrrhizin that can reduce inflammation. Licorice root extract is also used for its powerful antioxidant effects and ability to treat pigmentation.
Acetyl Carboxymethyl Cocoyl Glycine
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Acetyl Carboxymethyl Cocoyl Glycine
Myristoyl Tetrapeptide-13
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Myristoyl Tetrapeptide-13
Lactobacillus/Saccharomyces/Rice/Sucrose Ferment Filtrate
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Lactobacillus/Saccharomyces/Rice/Sucrose Ferment Filtrate
Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid
Pentylene Glycol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Pentylene Glycol

A naturally or synthetically derived preservative that exhibits effective antifungal and antibacterial traits. It also acts as a booster for more traditional preservatives. Pentylene glycol can also serve as a moisturizing humectant and solvent.

Potassium Hydroxide
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Potassium HydroxideA very alkaline ingredient, meaning that it has a high pH. Potassium hydroxide is therefore useful in bringing a low pH in a cosmetic product up to a more neutral, skin-safe level.