PRODUCT REVIEW

iS Clinical Active Peel System

Works for:

based on ingredients and %

Moisturizing
Evens skin tone
Exfoliation
Anti-aging
Anti-oxidation
Anti-blemish

Can it cause trouble?

Key actives

Camellia sinensis leaf extract 0.35% - 0.6%Salicylic acid 0.75% - 1.1%

See all ingredients

Buy from Amazon US $92.00

Price as of 10/14/2024 3:19 GMT. More info

More options from: $88.00

Appears in 1 routine

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Cheaper alternatives

REVOLUTION SKINCARE - AHA & BHA Moderate Multi Acid Peeling Solution

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Grown Alchemist - Age-Repair Moisturiser

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Product summary

Judging from the ingredient list, "iS Clinical - Active Peel System" works well for improving skin hydration The formulation is based on a combination of good humectants and emollients. Both are needed to increase the skin hydration level. Dextran, glycerin, glycogen, imperata cylindrica root extract and sodium lactate in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Emollients in this formulation (tripeptide-1, caprylyl glycol and pentylene glycol) help to reduce the moisture loss from the skin. They also soften the skin surface and relieve the feeling of dryness and tightness.

Ingredient callouts

This product also contains vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid). It can be an effective active for anti-aging and evening out the skin tone, but in this moisturizer it is used for stabilizing other ingredients in the formulation. In this concentration (0.25% - 0.45%) it cannot have a noticeable benefit for the skin.
This moistruizer also contains peptides (tripeptide-1 0.30% - 0.50%). Peptides is a very big group of ingredients. They all consist of a different combination of amino-acids. Our skin produces peptides naturally. Some of them work as natural anti-biotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The scientists are still studying how effective the topical application of peptides is, but it is very likely that peptides in skincare are helpful. They might be able to support skin barrier restoration and even have an anti-aging benefit. At the very least, they certainly help attract water to the skin and support the hydration in this way.

Irritation risk

This moisturizer contains a bunch of common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide any known benefit for the skin. It might not be the best choice if your skin is sensitive. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here

You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.

Price

The product retails for 88.00$ in the United States, for 118.21CA$ in Canada and for 75.00£ in the United Kingdom.

For a detailed price comparison: click here.

What can the product work for?

Anti-aging

What does the product description say?

This well-balanced system helps to improve the appearance of skin tone and texture, resulting in a smooth, hydrated, and more youthful-looking complexion.

Source: Bluemercury

This product contains tripeptide-1. This ingredient might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works.

tripeptide-1 0.3% - 0.5%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: MEDIUM

A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles

ascorbic acid 0.25% - 0.45%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Insufficient!

The most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging

camellia sinensis leaf extract 0.35% - 0.6%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Insufficient!

Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation

Evens skin tone

What does the product description say?

This well-balanced system helps to improve the appearance of skin tone and texture, resulting in a smooth, hydrated, and more youthful-looking complexion.

Source: Bluemercury

This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: glutathione, salicylic acid

Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.

glutathione 0.25% - 0.5%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

A peptide that can help neutralize free radicals in skin and reduce melanin production resulting in skin lightening effect and reduction in hyperpigmentation. It can also help attract moisture to the upper layer of the skin

salicylic acid 0.75% - 1.1%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: LOW

Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)

ascorbic acid 0.25% - 0.45%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Insufficient!

The most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging

Exfoliation

What does the product description say?

Step 1 is designed to provide controlled exfoliation, featuring a proprietary combination of powerful yet gentle botanical acids combined with soothing, nurturing botanical extracts.

Source: Bluemercury

This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: salicylic acid.

salicylic acid 0.75% - 1.1%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

salix nigra bark extract 0.55% - 0.8%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: LOW

A plant extract that might contain salicylic acid

Moisturizing

What does the product description say?

This well-balanced system helps to improve the appearance of skin tone and texture, resulting in a smooth, hydrated, and more youthful-looking complexion.

Source: Bluemercury

This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.

The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water. When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job: dextran, glycerin.

This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: tripeptide-1, caprylyl glycol.

The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: tripeptide-1

scenedesmus rubescens extract 0.25% - 0.45%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

A micro-algae extract that might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin, support its barrier function, amd might help neutralize free radicals, but evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking

sodium pca 0.25% - 0.45%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer

tripeptide-1 0.3% - 0.5%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles

Anti-blemish

This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: salicylic acid. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.

salicylic acid 0.75% - 1.1%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

camellia sinensis leaf extract 0.35% - 0.6%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Insufficient!

aloe barbadensis leaf juice 0.7% - 1.05%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Insufficient!

Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin

Anti-oxidation

This product contains antioxidants (glutathione) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).

The following ingredients - imperata cylindrica root extract also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.

glutathione 0.25% - 0.5%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

imperata cylindrica root extract 0.25% - 0.45%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: MEDIUM

A plat extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin and attract water to its upper layer

vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract 0.45% - 0.7%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: LOW

A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals in skin, but research on its efficacy in skin is lacking

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Can it cause trouble?

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Ingredients & concentrations

All ingredients

Key Actives

camellia sinensis leaf extract 0.35% - 0.6%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Anti-oxidation, Antibacterial, Anti-aging, Anti-blemish, Evens skin tone, Moisturizing

salicylic acid 0.75% - 1.1%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Exfoliation, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-blemish, Antibacterial, Evens skin tone

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Potential irritants

alcohol 7.3% - 8.9%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Antibacterial

Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties

hamamelis virginiana water 1.6% - 2%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Anti-inflammatory

A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating

Comodogenic ingredients

We couldn't find any comodogenic ingredients in this product

All ingredients

water 45% - 55%

Irritation risk:

Plain old water

alcohol 7.3% - 8.9%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Antibacterial

Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties

propanediol 4.1% - 5%

Irritation risk:

Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin

Ingredient list view

Water, Alcohol, Propanediol, Saccharum officinarum extract, Unknown, Decane, Hamamelis virginiana water, Pentylene glycol, Citric acid, Salicylic acid, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Salix nigra bark extract, Vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract, Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract, Citrus limon fruit extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Pyrus malus fruit extract, Acer saccharum extract, Aminomethyl propanol, 1,2-hexanediol, Caprylyl glycol, Menthol, Parfum, Disodium edta, Water, Propanediol, Scenedesmus rubescens extract, Pentylene glycol, Butylene glycol, Lentinus edodes mycelium extract, Glycerin, Imperata cylindrica root extract, Maltodextrin, Citrullus lanatus fruit extract, Pyrus malus fruit extract, Lens esculenta fruit extract, Leucojum aestivum bulb extract, Ascorbic acid, Glycogen, Sodium pca, Succinic acid, Glutathione, Tripeptide-1, Colloidal gold, Parfum, Sorbitol, Peg-8, 2-hexanol, Caprylyl glycol, 1-methylhydantoin-2-imide, Sodium lactate, Xanthan gum, Carbomer, Disodium edta, Dextran

	iS Clinical - Active Peel System	YEOUTH - Salicylic Acid 20% Face Gel Peel Sponsored	REVOLUTION SKINCARE - AHA & BHA Moderate Multi Acid Peeling Solution	Grown Alchemist - Age-Repair Moisturiser	The Purest Solutions - Exfoliating Facial Peeling AHA %10 + BHA %2	Skin Authority - Clarifying Liquid Peel	Dermalogica - breakout clearing liquid peel	StackedSkincare - TCA Lactic & Glycolic Face Peel	Saya - Brightening Peel	Tula - Breakout Star Oil-Free Acne Moisturizer	Beauty Drops - AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling	Zombie Beauty - Bloody Peel
Price
WIMJ similarity score		67%	75%	74%	73%	73%	73%	73%	71%	71%	71%	71%
Key ingredients	salicylic acid tripeptide-1 +10 more	Common: salicylic acid glycerin Other: camellia oleifera leaf extract	Common: salicylic acid glycerin +1 more Other: glycolic acid lactic acid	Common: salicylic acid tripeptide-1 +2 more Other: lactic acid tripeptide-10 citrulline +3 more	Common: salicylic acid sodium pca +1 more Other: glycolic acid lactic acid +7 more	Common: salicylic acid sodium pca Other: glycolic acid hamamelis virginiana extract	Common: salicylic acid glycerin Other: azelaic acid lactic acid +2 more	Common: salicylic acid glycerin Other: glycolic acid lactic acid	Common: salicylic acid glycerin +2 more Other: lactic acid	Common: salicylic acid glycerin +2 more Other: niacinamide azelaic acid +6 more	Common: salicylic acid glycerin Other: lactic acid glycolic acid +3 more	Common: salicylic acid salicylic acid +1 more Other: niacinamide gluconolactone +7 more
Irritancy	IRRITANCY HIGH	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY HIGH	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY HIGH	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY MEDIUM
Potential Irritants	parfum Has skin benefit? ascorbic acid Has skin benefit? +28 more	symphytum officinale leaf extract Has skin benefit? chamomilla recutita flower extract Has skin benefit? +8 more	tasmannia lanceolata fruit/leaf extract Has skin benefit? citrus limon fruit extract Has skin benefit? +8 more	linalool Has skin benefit? limonene Has skin benefit? +14 more	tasmannia lanceolata fruit extract Has skin benefit? ascorbic acid Has skin benefit? +14 more	propylene glycol Has skin benefit? alcohol Has skin benefit? +8 more	mandelic acid Has skin benefit? phenethyl alcohol Has skin benefit? +7 more	curcuma longa root extract Has skin benefit? salicylic acid Has skin benefit? +6 more	microcitrus australis fruit extract Has skin benefit? microcitrus australasica fruit extract Has skin benefit? +15 more	ocimum sanctum leaf extract Has skin benefit? epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extract Has skin benefit? +11 more	panax ginseng root extract Has skin benefit? mandelic acid Has skin benefit? +10 more	salicylic acid Has skin benefit? vaccinium macrocarpon fruit extract Has skin benefit? +17 more
All ingredients	water Has skin benefit? alcohol Has skin benefit? +53 more	propylene glycol Has skin benefit? alcohol Has skin benefit? +17 more	water Has skin benefit? propanediol Has skin benefit? +15 more	aloe barbadensis leaf extract Has skin benefit? water Has skin benefit? +46 more	water Has skin benefit? glycolic acid Has skin benefit? +25 more	salicylic acid Has skin benefit? water Has skin benefit? +15 more	water Has skin benefit? propanediol Has skin benefit? +21 more	water Has skin benefit? glycolic acid Has skin benefit? +14 more	water Has skin benefit? hamamelis virginiana water Has skin benefit? +18 more	salicylic acid Has skin benefit? water Has skin benefit? +31 more	glycolic acid Has skin benefit? sodium hydroxide Has skin benefit? +18 more	glycolic acid Has skin benefit? gluconolactone Has skin benefit? +33 more

PRODUCT REVIEW

iS Clinical Active Peel System

Works for:

Can it cause trouble?

Key actives

Cheaper alternatives

Product summary

Ingredient callouts

Irritation risk

Price

What can the product work for?

Works for

Anti-aging

What does the product description say?

Evens skin tone

What does the product description say?

Exfoliation

What does the product description say?

Moisturizing

What does the product description say?

Anti-blemish

Anti-oxidation

Honesty check

How honest is this product?

Buy now

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Can it cause trouble?

Potential irritants

Comodogenic ingredients

User reviews (0)

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Ingredients & concentrations

All ingredients

Key Actives

Potential irritants

Comodogenic ingredients

All ingredients

Ingredient list view

Sources