
Highlights
WHAT IS IT?
Exfoliating and brightening toner with AHA
FEATURES
Mild exfoliating, brightening, alcohol-free, contains natural fruit extracts and AHA
BEST FOR
combination, dry, sensitive
CHECKS
Free of oil, sulfates, silicon
Who Is It For?
All Ages All GendersWhat Does It Help With?
Brightens Dull Skin Improves Discoloration Fine Lines And DullnessBudget
Affordable (under $30)How To Use
Which routine should it be used in?
Instructions:
Key Information
What Mario Badescu Says
Product Description:
Alpha Grapefruit Cleansing Lotion is a mild exfoliating and brightening alcohol-free toner. Formulated with natural fruit extracts and naturally sourced Alpha Hydroxy Acids to help to visibly brighten dull skin and discoloration.
About the Brand:
Ingredients Overview
Ingredients List
Aqua (Water,Eau),Propylene Glycol,Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Fruit Extract,Glycerin,Fucus Vesiculosus Extract,Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice,Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract,Tilia Cordata Flower Extract,Parfum (Fragrance),Sodium Chloride,Amyl Cinnamal,Benzyl Salicylate,Citronellol,Coumarin,Limonene,Eugenol,Geraniol,Hexyl Cinnamaldehyde,Linalool,CI 15985 (Yellow 6),CI 16035 (Red 40)
Key Ingredients
Aloe Vera, Bladderwrack Extract, Grapefruit Extract, Lemon Extract
Ingredients Details
Aloe Vera
Common Name(s): Aloe vera juice,aloe vera gel,aloe barbadensis
CAS Number: 85507-69-3
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides acemannan-based wound healing and comprehensive moisturising skin conditioning from the quintessential healing plant.
Why It's Used: The most universally recognised natural healing plant โ aloe vera's acemannan polysaccharides, vitamins, and enzymes provide a comprehensive wound healing and soothing profile with thousands of years of documented use.
How It Works: Acemannan (poly-mannose) activates dectin-1 for wound healing immune stimulation. gibberellin promotes fibroblast growth. salicylic acid derivative provides anti-inflammatory. vitamins c and e provide antioxidant. glucomannan provides humectant.
Typically Found In: After-sun products,wound healing,moisturisers,virtually all skin care categories
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ aloe vera gel
Secondary Functions: Redness reduction,anti-inflammatory,calming
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.5%โ99%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ from aloe barbadensis leaf
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Plant-derived extract or synthetic.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; ideal for reactive and sensitive skin.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes โ particularly recommended for sensitive skin
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Ceramides,panthenol,allantoin,hyaluronic acid,centella asiatica
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Aloe vera's clinical evidence for sunburn relief is among the best for any botanical wound healing ingredient. multiple rcts demonstrate that aloe vera gel reduces healing time of first and second degree burns and sunburns, attributed primarily to acemannan's immunomodulatory wound healing activity and the anti-inflammatory salicylate derivatives providing prostaglandin inhibition.
Last Verified: Cosing database,surjushe et al. aloe vera skin review,cir safety assessment
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Bladderwrack Extract
Common Name(s): Bladderwrack extract,botanical extract,phytochemical active
CAS Number: N/a
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides antioxidant protection from reactive oxygen species, reduces inflammatory cytokine production in skin, and conditions skin surface through the plant's secondary metabolite complex.
Why It's Used: Chosen for its natural origin narrative, traditional use heritage, and multi-functional phytochemical profile that supports several concurrent skin care claims from one ingredient.
How It Works: Polyphenols, terpenoids, and alkaloids in the extract scavenge ros via hydrogen atom transfer, inhibit nf-kb or cox-2 inflammatory pathways, and interact with skin surface proteins for conditioning.
Typically Found In: Botanical skin care,natural products
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ antioxidant
Secondary Functions: Free radical scavenging,anti-aging
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%โ10%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Plant-derived extract or synthetic.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; well-tolerated.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Vitamin c,vitamin e,ferulic acid,spf,other antioxidants
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Plant secondary metabolites evolved as uv photoprotectants and antimicrobial agents โ mechanisms that directly translate to cosmetic antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in human skin.
Last Verified: Cosing database,bladderwrack extract botanical review
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Glycerin
Common Name(s): Glycerol,glycerine,1,2,3-propanetriol
CAS Number: 56-81-5
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Glycerin pulls water from the environment and deeper skin layers into the outer skin layer (epidermis), boosting moisture levels and keeping skin soft, smooth, and plump.
Why It's Used: It is used in virtually every moisturizer, serum, and cleanser because it is highly effective at hydrating skin, is well-tolerated by all skin types, and enhances the texture and spreadability of formulations.
How It Works: As a humectant, glycerin forms hydrogen bonds with water molecules, trapping them in the skin. it also reinforces the skin barrier by integrating into lipid structures between skin cells.
Typically Found In: Moisturizers,serums,cleansers,toners,sheet masks,sunscreens,body lotions,shampoos,conditioners
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Humectant
Secondary Functions: Skin barrier support,emollient,solvent
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 1%โ30% (typical: 3โ10%)
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ plant-derived (coconut, soy, palm) or synthetic
Halal Status: Yes โ when plant-derived or synthetic; verify source with supplier
Source Notes: Derived from plant oils via hydrolysis or saponification; synthetic versions also available. palm-derived glycerin carries sustainability concerns.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low; non-irritating at all standard concentrations
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Extremely rare allergic reactions; generally safe for all skin types including sensitive and baby skin
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Widely recognized as safe. ewg hazard score: 1. no significant concerns for irritation, sensitization, or toxicity at typical concentrations (up to 50%).
Works Well With: Hyaluronic acid,ceramides,niacinamide,panthenol,urea,peptides,retinol,ahas/bhas
Avoid Combining With: No known incompatibilities at standard concentrations
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Glycerin is an endogenous skin component found naturally in the stratum corneum. aquaporin-3 channels in keratinocytes facilitate glycerin transport, making it integral to natural skin hydration pathways.
Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment,ewg skin deep,inci decoder
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Lemon Extract
Common Name(s): Lemon extract extract
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides antioxidant protection, soothing anti-inflammatory effects, and skin-conditioning benefits through plant-derived polyphenols and phytochemicals.
Why It's Used: Plant extracts concentrate bioactive phytochemicals evolved for environmental protection โ uv, microbial, and oxidative stressors โ that translate to skin benefits.
How It Works: Polyphenols (flavonoids, phenolic acids) inhibit nf-ฮบb-mediated inflammatory signaling, scavenge reactive oxygen species through electron donation, and chelate pro-oxidant metal ions to reduce oxidative skin damage.
Typically Found In: Serums,toners,moisturizers,masks,essences
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Botanical extracts
Secondary Functions: Antioxidant,anti-inflammatory
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1โ10%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Plant-derived extract; no animal components.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1899-12-31 00:00:00 -0800
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: Niacinamide,hyaluronic acid,vitamin c,ceramides
Avoid Combining With: Strong oxidizing agents
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Plant secondary metabolites (flavonoids, terpenes, phenolic acids) are biosynthesized as defense compounds against uv, herbivores, and pathogens. their anti-inflammatory activity typically derives from competitive inhibition of cox-2 and 5-lox enzymes (ic50 1โ50 ยตm), while antioxidant activity involves single electron transfer (set) and hydrogen atom transfer (hat) mechanisms with structure-dependent rate constants.
Last Verified: Cosing eu database; pcpc cosmetic ingredient safety reviews; phytochemical and ethnobotanical literature
Primary Sources: 2025-01-15