After falling completely in love with the 10% cream, I decided to expand to the 5% in hopes of getting the same texture with just lower concentration, but by my surprise the texture is much thinner, almost watery and gel like, which makes it considerably less able to bind moisture, which is a bit of a let down. But it's still a cream I use and stock regularly. Both of the two creams offer three main benefits - Chemical exfoliation (gets rid of dead skin cells on the surface, copes with textural issues, can be especially beneficial for people with old acne scars), Moisturizes really well (this is what I use to transform desert into that plumb *mochi* skin), Tone care (with generous usage it whitens the skintone for those seeking the Snow White effect, but don't be alarmed, with lesser usage the Vitamin B3 can be beneficial to everybody as it's great for fading blemishes, dark spots and tan lines, giving you a clearer and bright complexion. Some newer studies show the ingredient to be cutting up heal-time of blemishes as well). Honestly I find the 5% cream to be a thinned down watery version (less whitening, less moisturizing and less exfoliating and less abrasive) of the 10% cream. The difference regarding of exfoliation achieved with the two creams is surprisingly small considering, I must say. Therefore, If your skin is not used to strong acids and doesn't show to be singularly benefiting of glycolic acid in general, I'd definitely go for the 5% instead. I wouldn't use acid toners, vitamin A or vitamin C treatments in the same routine with this glycolic acid heavy cream. I follow with a gentle scrub the next day. Transforms dull elbows and knees as well, so rub in the excess! ----