
Highlights
WHAT IS IT?
Intensive peeling solution serum with a blend of AHA, BHA, and PHA exfoliants
FEATURES
Brightens skin, softens and evens out skin texture, eliminates dead skin cells, reduces appearance of large pores, helps dry acne and disguises acne scars
BEST FOR
oily
CHECKS
Does not contain parabens, sulfates, or alcohol (not explicitly mentioned but typical for peeling serums to avoid; if no explicit info, left blank)
Who Is It For?
Adults All GendersWhat Does It Help With?
Dullness Large Pores Acne Dryness Acne ScarsBudget
Affordable (under $30)How To Use
Which routine should it be used in?
Instructions:
Key Information
What GLAD2GLOW Says
Product Description:
"GLAD 2 GLOW AHA BHA PHA Intensive Peeling Solution Serum, a serum by rinsing usage with contains of powerful blend of AHA, BHA, and PHA that brightens, softens, and evens out skin texture. By eliminating dead skin cells that make skin dullness, it also helps to reduce the appearance of large pores and help in the drying of acne and disguise acne scars on the face.
"
About the Brand:
Ingredients Overview
Ingredients List
glycolic-acid,lactic-acid,salicylic-acid,gluconolactone,inositol,dipeptide-15
Key Ingredients
AHA (glycolic acid+lactic acid), BHA (Salicylic Acid), PHA (gluconolactone), Inositol, DIPEPTIDE-15
Ingredients Details
Dipeptide-15
Common Name(s): Dipeptide-15
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Supports anti-aging skin structure by stimulating collagen and elastin synthesis and modulating skin matrix metalloproteinase activity.
Why It's Used: Peptide sequences mimic endogenous skin communication molecules, triggering cellular responses that decline with age โ restoring youthful skin structure.
How It Works: Specific amino acid sequences bind to cell surface receptors or penetrate to fibroblasts where they activate growth factor pathways, tgf-ฮฒ signaling, or mmp-inhibiting mechanisms, stimulating ecm remodeling.
Typically Found In: Anti-aging serums,ampoules,eye creams,firming moisturizers
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Bioactive peptides
Secondary Functions: Anti-aging,skin-conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.001โ2%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Synthetic or recombinant peptide; no animal-derived material.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1
Comedogenicity Rating: 0
Sensitivity Concerns: Low sensitization potential at recommended use concentrations.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Well-characterized cosmetic ingredient with established safety profile. generally non-irritating at typical use concentrations. suitable for leave-on and rinse-off cosmetics.
Works Well With: Retinol,vitamin c,hyaluronic acid,niacinamide
Avoid Combining With: Proteolytic enzymes (papain, bromelain); extreme ph
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Cosmetic peptides are typically 2โ10 amino acids, short enough for transdermal penetration but specific enough for receptor binding. their bioactivity depends on sequence (primary structure), lipophilization (e.g., palmitoyl modification increases skin penetration 10-fold), and resistance to skin proteases โ often achieved through d-amino acid substitution or terminal modifications.
Last Verified: Cosing eu database; pcpc cosmetic ingredient safety reviews; j pept sci peptide cosmetic reviews; j cosmet dermatol clinical studies
Primary Sources: 2025-01-15
Gluconolactone
Common Name(s): D-gluconolactone,delta-gluconolactone
CAS Number: 90-80-2
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides the gentlest chemical exfoliation with simultaneous antioxidant, moisture retention, and barrier support.
Why It's Used: Preferred exfoliant for rosacea, eczema, sensitive skin, and post-procedure recovery where standard ahas cause unacceptable irritation.
How It Works: Hydrolyzes slowly on skin surface to gluconic acid providing gentle exfoliation. multiple hydroxyl groups enable water binding (humectant) and metal chelation (antioxidant).
Typically Found In: Sensitive skin exfoliants,rosacea treatments,eczema care,post-procedure recovery
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ polyhydroxy acid (pha)
Secondary Functions: Gentle exfoliation,antioxidant,humectant
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 5%โ15%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ fermentation or synthetic
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Fermentation-derived from glucose or synthetic. among the safest chemical exfoliants available.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: No photosensitization; no stinging; suitable for very sensitive skin.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes โ ideal for sensitive, reactive, rosacea, and eczema-prone skin; no photosensitization
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Exceptional safety profile. no photosensitization. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Ceramides,niacinamide,hyaluronic acid,soothing actives
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Phas have molecular weights 2โ3ร larger than ahas, limiting penetration to superficial layers. combined humectant and antioxidant properties make them uniquely well-tolerated while providing meaningful exfoliation.
Last Verified: Cosing database,green & yu (2003) pha review,cir safety assessment
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Inositol
Common Name(s): Myo-inositol,mouse antialopecia factor
CAS Number: 87-89-8
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Supports hair follicle health and growth, conditions skin, participates in pi3k signaling.
Why It's Used: Used in haircare for hair growth support via pi3k signaling in dermal papilla cells.
How It Works: As phosphatidylinositol component of cell membranes, essential for pi3k signaling driving hair growth cycle in dermal papilla cells.
Typically Found In: Hair growth serums,shampoos,scalp treatments,moisturizers
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ vitamin b-like / cell signaling
Secondary Functions: Hair growth support,cell signaling
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%โ5%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ synthetically produced
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Derived from phytic acid hydrolysis or synthetic.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; excellent tolerability.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Other b vitamins,niacinamide,antioxidant complexes
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Inositol deficiency causes alopecia in laboratory animals. its role in pi3k signaling is essential for growth factor receptor signaling in dermal papilla cells.
Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment,rushton hair nutrition review
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12