Works for
Evens skin toneGlycolic acid, Camellia sinensis leaf extract + 1 moreWorks well
“Glycolic promotes cell turnover in the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of your skin, which leads to brighter, smoother, and more even-toned complexion.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: glycolic 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.
Anti-agingGlycolic acid, Camellia sinensis leaf extract + 1 moreWorks well
“Deep exfoliation reduces the appearance of fine lines, stimulates collagen development for plumper, firmer skin”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains glycolic acid.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
ExfoliationGlycolic acid, Retinyl palmitateWorks well
“50% Glycolic Acid Peel”
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: glycolic acid.
Anti-blemishGlycolic acid, Camellia sinensis leaf extract + 1 moreNot delivered
This product contains ingredients (glycolic acid) that could help reduce blemishes and clogged pores in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Cucumis sativus fruit extractMay help
This product contains antioxidants (camellia sinensis leaf extract) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Glycolic acid, Retinyl palmitateMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Glycolic acid~23–34%
- Irritation risk
- High
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid
More about Glycolic acidWater~13–20%
Octoxynol-10~4.1–6.1%
Hydroxyethylcellulose~3.7–5.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures
More about HydroxyethylcelluloseCucumis sativus fruit extract~2.5–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be somewhat helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals but its typical concentration in a product is too low for having an effect
More about Cucumis sativus fruit extractCamellia sinensis leaf extract~1.5–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
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
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractChamomilla recutita flower extract~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Chamomilla recutita flower extractSymphytum officinale leaf extract~0.55–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that has an anti-bacterial effect
More about Symphytum officinale leaf extractPhenoxyethanol~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolEthylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.55%
Retinyl palmitate~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Three steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. To have an effect in the skin, it first needs to be converted twice to become the retinoic acid. This means it is less potent than retinol, but could also be less irritating. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, it helps against all signs of aging, improves skin cell turnover and helps fight blemishes and clogged pores. However, in many cosmetic formulations, it is used in a concentration that is too low to have the full effect
More about Retinyl palmitateIngredient list view
Glycolic acid, Water, Octoxynol-10, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Cucumis sativus fruit extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Chamomilla recutita flower extract, Symphytum officinale leaf extract, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Retinyl palmitate
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| Perfect Image50% Glycolic Acid PeelYOUR PRODUCT | ZO Skin HealthExfoliation Accelerator | Deviant SkincareGentle Resurfacing Liquid | DermadoctorPhysical Chemistry Facial Microdermabrasion and Multi-Acid Peel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 65% | 64% | 64% |
| Price | $34.95 | $70.00+$35.05 | $52.00+$17.05 | $80.31+$45.36 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 3 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 3 |
| Key difference | — | Lactic Acid | Salicylic Acid | Lactic Acid |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Paula's choice Resist Weekly Resurfacing Treatment with 10% AHAYEOUTH Glycolic Acid 30% Gel Peel
Product summary
"Perfect Image - 50% Glycolic Acid Peel" is effective for: Exfoliation, Anti-aging and Evens skin tone
Ingredient callouts
- Exfoliating acids in a high total concentration (glycolic acid 23.00% - 34.00%). This is a strong peel. It removes the top layer of the dead skin cells, revealing a "fresher" skin. It can also have an anti-aging effect and stimulate collagen production in a long-run. But we recommend to use this product with caution to avoid over-exfoliation (no more than 1-2x a week). Over-exfoliation can seriously damage your skin barrier and lead to sensitivity and even trigger pigmentation issues.
- This product includes a form of Retinoids (vitamin A) - retinyl palmitate 0.10% - 0.40%, but this type of vitamin A is not very effective. It could in theory help with fine lines and wrinkles, but the effect is most likely minimal.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 4 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3
- 4
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