Go-To Skincare Gentle Exfoliator Lactic Acid Toner Review

Go-To Skincare Gentle Exfoliator Lactic Acid Toner
5.0
/ 10
Moisturizing
10.0 Humectancy icon Humectancy
0.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
Review

Does Go-To Skincare Gentle Exfoliator Lactic Acid Toner Work?

 
According to CreamScan AI's analysis of the ingredient list, here’s what Go-To Skincare Gentle Exfoliator Lactic Acid Toner has to offer:
 
  • Strong humectant moisturizing. This lightweight, humectant-rich product, ideal for oily skin, has a moisturizing rating of 5.0 out of 10.

Key Benefits of Go-To Skincare Gentle Exfoliator Lactic Acid Toner

 
These are the key benefits you can expect from using Go-To Skincare Gentle Exfoliator Lactic Acid Toner:
 

Lightweight Purely Humectant Moisturizing, Ideal for Oily Skin

According to CreamScan analysis, Go-To Skincare Gentle Exfoliator Lactic Acid Toner 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 Lactic Acid (est. ≈6.0%), Propanediol (est. ≈4.0%) and Gluconolactone (est. ≈3.0%).

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.

A Humectant Boost for Any Skincare Routine

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.

Please note that this is not a complete list of benefits. We are in the process of enhancing our AI model to incorporate anti-pigmentation, exfoliation and anti-acne ratings.

Things to Be Aware Of: Go-To Skincare Gentle Exfoliator Lactic Acid Toner

 
CreamScan AI identified a few things to consider before adding Go-To Skincare Gentle Exfoliator Lactic Acid Toner to your skincare routine:
 

If It’s Your Only Moisturizer, It Needs to Be Paired with Some Occlusives

While humectants are highly effective at attracting water to the skin, studies (J. N. Kraft, C. W. Lynde) suggest they may not be efficient when used alone.

One major drawback of purely humectant moisturization is that the water attracted by humectants to the upper layers of the skin can evaporate completely into the environment through transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Adding occlusive ingredients helps seal this moisture into the skin and prevent further water loss.

If you’re using Go-To Skincare Gentle Exfoliator Lactic Acid Toner as your only moisturizer, consider pairing it with one that contains at least some occlusive ingredients, such as oils, butters, or silicones. These work alongside humectants to create a protective barrier, locking in hydration and ensuring longer-lasting moisturization. The amount of occlusive needed depends on your skin type - the drier the skin, the more occlusives it requires.

If this product is used not as a standalone moisturizer but as part of your skincare routine, such as a toner or serum, it should be applied before your main moisturizer (unless it's a sunscreen), which will provide the necessary occlusivity on top of it.

Questionable anti-wrinkle efficacy

If one of your main reasons for choosing Go-To Skincare Gentle Exfoliator Lactic Acid Toner is its potential anti-aging effects, please note that, according to CreamScan analysis, it currently has a zero anti-wrinkle rating.

It contains Gluconolactone, an ingredient often marketed as effective in reducing wrinkles. However, the studies supporting the anti-wrinkle claims of Gluconolactone provide insufficient evidence of its efficacy according to CreamScan Research Evaluation Standards.

While this does not categorically exclude the possibility that Gluconolactone may reduce wrinkles, its efficacy is not supported by convincing, vehicle-controlled, double-blind clinical studies - at least none that were accessible to the CreamScan team at the time of publication.

Therefore, this ingredient does not generate the anti-wrinkle rating.

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.

Pros & Cons of Go-To Skincare Gentle Exfoliator Lactic Acid Toner

 
Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of Go-To Skincare Gentle Exfoliator Lactic Acid Toner to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your skincare routine:
 

Pros:

  • Humectant-rich moisturizing ideal for oily skin
  • Lightweight texture
  • A humectant moisturizing boost for any skincare routine

Cons: 

  • Needs occlusives to seal in humectants if used as a standalone moisturizer
  • Questionable anti-wrinkle efficacy

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
80
6
4
3
2
1.5
1.3
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Est. %
Water
Function:
Origin:
Lactic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Propanediol
Function:
Origin:
Gluconolactone
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Hydroxide
Function:
Origin:
Arginine
Function:
Origin:
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Function:
Origin:
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Function:
Origin:
Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract
Function:
Origin:
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Flower Water
Function:
Origin:
Glycerin
Function:
Origin:
Calcium Gluconate
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Benzoate
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Levulinate
Function:
Origin:
Glyceryl Caprylate
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Anisate
Function:
Origin:
Linalool
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
17.4
6
4
3
1.5
1.3
1
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
5.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 17.4 10
10.0
6
4
3
1.5
1.3
1
0.3
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
None
Moisturizing rating
5.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
6
4
3
1.5
1.3
1
0.3
0.3
All humectants 17.4 10
10
All humectants
17.4
6
4
3
1.5
1.3
1
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
n/a
- 3 -
Total
0
Gluconolactone
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
3
Anti-wrinkle rating
0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
1.3
0.3
All antioxidants 1.6 3 No
All antioxidants
1.6
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
1.3
Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
1.3
1
0.3
All soothing 2.6 5 No
All soothing
2.6
1.3
1
0.3
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %80
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.
Lactic Acid
Est. %6
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.
Propanediol
Est. %4
Function
Origin
PropanediolAn excellent solvent capable of mixing water with normally water-insoluble ingredients. It also functions as a humectant due to its water-loving alcohol groups. Propanediol can control the viscosity of a product by reducing its thickness.
Gluconolactone
Est. %3
Function
Origin
GluconolactoneA PHA derived from glucose. It has exfoliating and humectant properties and acts as a penetration enhancer for other ingredients. It has also been shown to assist in the treatment of acne and the prevention of photoaging.
Sodium Hydroxide
Est. %2
Function
Origin
Sodium Hydroxide

An ingredient that is able to bring the pH of a product up, thereby making it less harsh on the skin.

Arginine
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
ArginineA humectant amino acid used to attract water to the skin’s surface. It is a part of the skin's Natural Moisturizing Factor, a mixture of various compounds that keeps the skin’s surface well hydrated. Arginine can also be used as a pH adjuster.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Est. %1.3
Function
Origin
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf JuiceA gelatinous juice from Aloe vera leaves that acts as a powerful humectant, emollient, and antioxidant. It contains enzymes, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals that soothe irritated skin and have wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties.
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Biosaccharide Gum-1A polysaccharide with humectant moisturizing and soothing properties.
Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Flower Water
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Flower Water
Glycerin
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Glycerin

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

Calcium Gluconate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Calcium GluconateA white crystalline powder that can act as a humectant when dissolved into water. It is also a chelating agent.
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.
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium DehydroacetateA sodium salt of dehydroacetic acid that is most commonly used as a preservative. It is a strong fungicide and a moderate bactericide, which makes it an effective broad-spectrum preservative.
Sodium Levulinate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium LevulinateA sodium salt of levulinic acid that is used as an antimicrobial and preservative agent, inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria in a product.
Glyceryl Caprylate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Glyceryl CaprylateA waxy solid derived from vegetable oils that has emollient and emulsifying properties. It is also known to boost the efficacy of organic acid preservatives by destabilizing the microbe's cell membrane.
Sodium Anisate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium AnisateA natural preservative with a sweet scent.
Linalool
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
LinaloolA fragrant, volatile compound naturally present in many essential oils. It has a pleasant scent and is often used in skincare products as a fragrance. People with sensitive skin should try to avoid it, or at least do a patch test before using it.