La Roche-Posay Glycolic HA

La Roche-Posay Glycolic HA
1.6
/ 10
Moisturizing
3.1 Humectancy icon Humectancy
0.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
0.9Anti-wrinkle icon/ 10
Anti-wrinkle

Review

Does La Roche-Posay Glycolic HA work?

Based on the ingredient list analysis by CreamScan AI, these are the key benefits you can expect from using La Roche-Posay Glycolic HA:

  • A bit of moisturizing. It has a moisturizing rating of 1.6 out of 10.
  • Little anti-wrinkle effect: La Roche-Posay Glycolic HA has an anti-wrinkle rating of 0.9 out of 10, so you may expect a positive, although insignificant, effect on wrinkles.

Slight Moisturizing When Used Alone

According to CreamScan analysis, La Roche-Posay Glycolic HA is slightly moisturizing, with a moisturizing rating of 1.6 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? Purely humectant. It has zero occlusivity (we didn't find any occlusive ingredients on the ingredient list) and a moderate humectancy of 3.1 out of 10, primarily due to Propylene Glycol (est. ≈1.5%), Pentylene Glycol (est. ≈1.3%) and Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid (est. ≈0.3%).

This type of product provides relatively light moisturizing on its own but can contribute to overall moisturizing efficacy when used as part of a skincare routine, alongside another moisturizer.

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.

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

Little anti-wrinkle efficacy

According to CreamScan analysis, La Roche-Posay Glycolic HA has a minimal anti-wrinkle rating of 0.9 out of 10.

It contains one ingredient with proven anti-wrinkle efficacy: Glycolic Acid (est. ≈3.0%), 
 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
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
Est. %
Water
Function:
Origin:
Alcohol Denat.
Function:
Origin:
Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Glycolic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Diisopropyl Adipate
Function:
Origin:
Propylene Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Pentylene Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Citric Acid
Function:
Origin:
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Function:
Origin:
PEG-30 Glyceryl Cocoate
Function:
Origin:
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Hydroxide
Function:
Origin:
p-Anisic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Tetrasodium EDTA
Function:
Origin:
Polyquaternium-10
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
3.1
1.5
1.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
1.6
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 3.1 10
3.1
1.5
1.3
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
None
Moisturizing rating
1.6
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
1.5
1.3
0.3
All humectants 3.1 10
3.1
All humectants
3.1
1.5
1.3
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
1.5 /10 5 3 0.9
Total
0.9
Glycolic Acid
0.9
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
1.5 /10
when present at, %
5
in this formula, est. %
3
Anti-wrinkle rating
0.9
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
0.3
0.3
All antioxidants 0.6 3 No
All antioxidants
0.6
p-Anisic Acid
0.3
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
0.3
All soothing 0.3 5 No
All soothing
0.3
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.
Alcohol Denat.
Est. %6
Function
Origin
Alcohol Denat.

Denatured alcohol is ethanol that contains additives that make it unsafe to consume. It is mainly used as a solvent and an antimicrobial agent. A major drawback to alcohol denat. is that it dries out the skin.

Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid
Est. %4
Function
Origin
Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic AcidA pH buffer that secures the pH around 7.5.
Glycolic Acid
Est. %3
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.

Diisopropyl Adipate
Est. %2
Function
Origin
Diisopropyl AdipateA synthetic oil-like ingredient with a light feel and softening effect not just on skin, but for products as a whole.
Propylene Glycol
Est. %1.5
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.
Pentylene Glycol
Est. %1.3
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.

Citric Acid
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Citric AcidA gently exfoliating AHA that helps to remove the top layer of dead skin cells. In comparison to other AHAs, citric acid has been shown to be one of the least effective. It is also very commonly used as a stabilizing and pH-controlling agent.
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PPG-26-Buteth-26A water-loving surfactant, which means it can act as an emulsifier, solubilizer, and cleansing agent. As an emulsifier, it helps to create oil-in-water emulsions.
PEG-30 Glyceryl Cocoate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PEG-30 Glyceryl Cocoate
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.
Sodium Hydroxide
Est. %0.3
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.

p-Anisic Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
p-Anisic AcidA simple phenolic acid with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties that is used as a preservative. It has a faint, sweet aroma and can be found in anise, fennel, and cocoa seeds.
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidA smaller-molecule version of the regular hyaluronic acid. It is a powerful humectant that absorbs into the skin and offers moisturizing, smoothing, and anti-wrinkle effects. It is also slightly anti-inflammatory and displays subtle antioxidant properties.
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Capryloyl Salicylic AcidA derivative of salicylic acid, with bigger and more lipid-soluble molecules. This makes it more powerful and safer than salicylic acid. It is used as an exfoliating and peeling agent.
Tetrasodium EDTA
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Tetrasodium EDTAOne of the most common synthetic chelators. It can reduce the 'hardness' of water and so is often used in rinse-off products.
Polyquaternium-10
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Polyquaternium-10A cellulose-based film former.