Resurface High Potency Cream 20 AHA-PHA
Exfoliant
Updated 11 Dec 2025

Resurface High Potency Cream 20 AHA-PHA

Neostrata
27Ingredients
0EU Banned
6Caution
0.7/5Comedogenic
Pregnancy Risk1 ingredient flagged
0.7/5Comedogenic
Pregnancy Risk1 ingredient flagged
Allergen-freeNo fragrance allergens
44% Natural52% synthetic

Contains Regulated Ingredients

EU Restricted Ingredients

These ingredients are permitted in the EU but subject to concentration limits, usage conditions, or mandatory labelling requirements under Annex III of the EU Cosmetics Regulation.

Ammonium HydroxideMax 6.0%
Max concentration:6.0%
Product types:All cosmetic products
Label warnings: Above 2%: Contains ammonia
Sodium SulfiteMax 0.2% (as free SO2)
Max concentration:0.2% (as free SO2)
Product types:(a) Oxidative hair dye products(b) Hair straightening products(c) Self-tanning products for the face(d) Other self-tanning products
Conditions:For purposes other than inhibiting the development of micro-organisms in the product. This purpose has to be apparent from the presentation of the product
Sodium BisulfiteMax 0.2% (as free SO2)
Max concentration:0.2% (as free SO2)
Product types:(a) Oxidative hair dye products(b) Hair straightening products(c) Self-tanning products for the face(d) Other self-tanning products
Conditions:For purposes other than inhibiting the development of micro-organisms in the product. This purpose has to be apparent from the presentation of the product
What does "EU Restricted" mean?

Restricted ingredients are not banned — they are allowed in cosmetic products as long as specific conditions are met:

  • Concentration limits — maximum allowed percentage in the final product
  • Product type restrictions — some ingredients are only allowed in rinse-off or leave-on products
  • pH restrictions — the finished product must stay within a specific pH range
  • Mandatory labelling — certain allergens must be listed on the packaging
  • Usage conditions — must not be combined with certain other ingredients

These limits are based on the EU CosIng database (Annex III) and are updated regularly. Products sold in the EU must comply with all applicable restrictions.

Ingredient Chemistry

pH

pH Efficacy

pH Efficacy

pH 2.8 — Suboptimal
2.8
0Neutral 714
pH estimated from category & ingredients: 2.8
Active ingredients: Glycolic Acid, Gluconolactone
Glycolic Acid at pH 2.8: acceptable but not ideal (3–4 is best)
Gluconolactone at pH 2.8: very acidic — may increase irritation risk
Gluconolactone at pH 2.8 is below the ideal range (3.5–4.5).
Detected actives & ideal pH
Glycolic AcidpH 3–4
GluconolactonepH 3.5–4.5

Microbiome

Composition & Ethics

Product Details

Attributes

Ethics
VeganLikely
No animal-derived ingredients detected
Cruelty-FreeUnknown
No brand statement — contact manufacturer
Safety
Fragrance-FreeLikely
No fragrance ingredients detected
Confirmed Inferred Unknown Not compliant

Composition

44% natural52% synthetic
12 natural 1 unknown 14 synthetic

Based on 27 ingredients analyzed. 44% natural, 4% unknown and 52% synthetic.

Preservatives2 preservatives
Silicones1 silicone

Functions Overview (15)

fragrance4:Arginine, Cetyl Alcohol, BHT, Methylparaben
surfactant - emulsifying4:Isostearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Myristic Acid
skin conditioning - emollient4:Isododecane, Isohexadecane, Palmitic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol

Texture & Feel

Texture & Feel

Expected texture
Grainy scrub or thin chemical liquid — physical exfoliants feel gritty, chemical ones feel like water
SpreadabilityVery easy
AbsorptionVery fast
Tackiness / ResidueVery low
Finish:Smooth, refined — skin feels polished after rinsing

Gritty (physical) or tingling (chemical) — exfoliation sensation on skin. Silicones create a smooth, velvety "slip" with a blurring sensory effect.