Skip to main content
Shop Glow Recipe Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser
Cleanser
Glow Recipe

Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser

~$34· 160ml

What it's good for

Key actives from our research database. Click any to read the full evidence dossier.

  • Glycolic AcidStrong evidenceFull dossier ↗

    Exfoliates the surface of your skin to smooth rough texture and fade dullness. The strongest of the AHAs, so start slow.

    Good for: Exfoliating

  • Lactic AcidStrong evidenceFull dossier ↗

    A gentler exfoliator that also hydrates as it works. Good entry point if you have sensitive skin and want to try acids.

    Good for: Exfoliating, Hydrating

  • Hyaluronic AcidStrong evidenceFull dossier ↗

    A pure hydrator that holds water in your skin. Makes skin look plumper and smoother almost immediately.

    Good for: Hydrating

  • Beta-GlucanModerate evidenceFull dossier ↗

    A heavy-duty hydrator that also reduces irritation. Often called "better than hyaluronic acid" for sensitive skin.

    Good for: Hydrating, Anti-inflammatory

  • Licorice RootModerate evidenceFull dossier ↗

    A gentle Asian-skincare brightener derived from licorice root. Fades dark spots and calms redness, and it's a pregnancy-safe alternative to stronger fade ingredients.

    Good for: Brightening, Anti-inflammatory

New to this? Patch test on your inner arm for 24 to 48 hours before applying to your face. If you have sensitive skin or rosacea, start 2 to 3 times per week and build up slowly.

Evidence behind the ingredients

Real citations from our research database, one per tracked active in this product. Click any ingredient name to read its full evidence dossier.

Glycolic AcidStrong evidence6 citations

Exfoliates the surface of your skin to smooth rough texture and fade dullness. The strongest of the AHAs, so start slow.

Liu H et al., Topical agents for acne (covers AHA / fruit-acid arm), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2020;5:CD011368 — conclusion: clinical benefit is unclear

2020Meta-analysis (mixed)PMID:32356369View source ↗

Sarkar R et al., Comparative Evaluation of Efficacy and Tolerability of Glycolic Acid, Salicylic-Mandelic Acid, and Phytic Acid Combination Peels in Melasma, Dermatologic Surgery 2016;42(3):384-391 — 35% glycolic acid and salicylic-mandelic peels equally effective and safe for melasma in Indian skin

2016Positive (efficacy)PMID:26859648View source ↗

Kubiak M et al., Evaluation of 70% glycolic peels versus 15% trichloroacetic peels for the treatment of photodamaged facial skin in aging women, Dermatologic Surgery 2014;40(8):883-891 — both peels improved photodamaged skin; glycolic acid showed faster hydration recovery

2014Positive (efficacy)PMID:25068547View source ↗
Lactic AcidStrong evidence5 citations

A gentler exfoliator that also hydrates as it works. Good entry point if you have sensitive skin and want to try acids.

Fanning N et al., Treatment of mild-to-moderate facial cutaneous aging using a combination peel containing 6% trichloroacetic acid and 12% lactic acid, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2023;22(11):3033-3041 — three monthly peels significantly improved clarity, pigmentation, fine lines, roughness in 32 subjects

2023Positive (efficacy)PMID:37227430View source ↗

Tang SC, Yang JH, Dual effects of alpha-hydroxy acids on the skin, Molecules 2018;23(4):863 — effect concentration-dependent

2018Positive (efficacy)PMID:29642579View source ↗

Babilas P et al., Cosmetic and dermatologic use of alpha hydroxy acids, JDDG: Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft 2012 — supports AHAs including lactic acid for photoaging, pigmentation, and barrier effects

2012Meta-analysis (positive)PMID:22916351View source ↗
Hyaluronic AcidStrong evidence7 citations

A pure hydrator that holds water in your skin. Makes skin look plumper and smoother almost immediately.

Karabat MU, Tuncer MC. Effects of hyaluronic acid on skin at the cellular level: a systematic review. Rev Assoc Med Bras. 2025;71(8):e20250208. — Systematic review of 45 studies found low-molecular-weight HA stimulates keratinocyte proliferation and migration while high-molecular-weight HA drives skin hydration, supporting topical HA as an effective skin-hydrating and barrier-supporting ingredient.

2025Meta-analysis (positive)PMID:40990743View source ↗

Bravo B et al., Benefits of topical hyaluronic acid for skin quality and signs of skin aging: From literature review to clinical evidence, Dermatology and Therapy 2022;12(12):2657-2680 — HA-based cosmeceuticals reliably improve hydration and signs of skin aging

2022Meta-analysis (positive)PMID:36200921View source ↗

Lee SG et al., Hyaluronan Oligosaccharides Improve Rosacea-Like Phenotype through Anti-Inflammatory and Epidermal Barrier-Improving Effects, Annals of Dermatology 2020

2020Mechanism onlyPMID:33911737View source ↗
+2 more ingredients
Beta-GlucanModerate evidence5 citations

A heavy-duty hydrator that also reduces irritation. Often called "better than hyaluronic acid" for sensitive skin.

Feng X et al., Exploring the Properties and Application Potential of beta-Glucan in Skin Care, Food Science and Nutrition 2025;13(4):e70212 — review concludes beta-glucan exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, barrier repair, and moisturizing bioactivities

2025Mechanism onlyPMID:40291929View source ↗

Kussie HC et al., Avenanthramide and beta-Glucan Therapeutics Accelerate Wound Healing Via Distinct and Nonoverlapping Mechanisms, Advances in Wound Care 2024;13(4):155-166 — in vivo: beta-glucan accelerated wound closure with increased angiogenesis

2024Positive (efficacy)PMID:38299969View source ↗

Cao Y et al., Improving the outcome of treating striae gravidarum by combined therapies using topical β-glucan and 1565-nm non-ablative fractional laser, Journal of Dermatology 2022;49(9):829-836 — RCT; topical beta-glucan twice daily for 12 weeks on stretch marks

2022Positive (efficacy)PMID:35570397View source ↗
Licorice RootModerate evidence9 citations

A gentle Asian-skincare brightener derived from licorice root. Fades dark spots and calms redness, and it's a pregnancy-safe alternative to stronger fade ingredients.

Glabridin Inhibits Melanogenesis and Melanin Transfer via Wnt/beta-Catenin Pathway and Rho Family GTPase-Mediated Dendritic Formation Suppression, Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2026;19(3) — glabridin (the licorice-root active) suppressed melanin synthesis and keratinocyte melanin transfer in vitro via Wnt/beta-Catenin and Rho-GTPase dendrite suppression

2026Mechanism onlyPMID:41901315View source ↗

Liu Y et al., Glycyrrhiza glabra extract as a skin-whitening agent: Identification of active components and CRTC1/MITF pathway-inhibition mechanism, Journal of Ethnopharmacology 2025;349:119948 — identifies glabridin as the principal active and maps skin-whitening mechanism via CREB/CRTC1/MITF suppression

2025Mechanism onlyPMID:40350048View source ↗

Wang JY et al., Preparation of compound liquorice microemulsion gel and its pharmacodynamics evaluation, Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi (China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica) 2020;45(21):5193-5199 — compound licorice (Glycyrrhiza) microemulsion gel significantly reduced ear swelling and inflammatory infiltration in chronic eczema mouse model

2020Positive (efficacy)PMID:33350235View source ↗

Sources: 10 clinical journals and regulatory databases across the US, EU, Korea, Japan, and China. Every entry points to a specific document. See methodology for the full list and what each outcome label means.

Layering conflicts

Ingredients in this product that can react with common actives. Avoid stacking unless noted.

  • Retinol + glycolic acid is a classic barrier-buster. Use on different nights.

  • Tretinoin + glycolic acid causes significant barrier disruption. Never layer.

  • Adapalenemedium

    Adapalene + glycolic acid can over-exfoliate. Alternate nights.

  • AHA + BHA stacking risks over-exfoliation. Use a pre-formulated AHA/BHA product or alternate days.

Similar comparisons

← Back to shop

Not medical advice. GlowPal is educational. Patch-test new products and talk to a qualified healthcare professional before changing your routine, especially if you're pregnant, nursing, or have a diagnosed skin condition. See our terms.