Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Peel Pads
Works for
ExfoliationGlycolic acid, Retinol + 1 moreWorks well
“What it is: A resurfacing peel pad with a high-potency 20% glycolic acid complex and 1.5% retinol to help improve the look of texture and clarity.”
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, retinol.
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Sodium hyaluronate + 5 moreWorks well
“Added allantoin and adenosine also help to soothe the skin, while hyaluronic acid keeps it hydrated and healthy.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": allantoin, sodium hyaluronate.
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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Evens skin toneRetinol, Glycolic acid + 1 moreWorks well
“A high-potency 20% glycolic acid complex and 1.5% time-released retinol help improve the look of texture, clarity, uneven tone, fine lines, and wrinkles.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: retinol.
In addition, this product contains glycolic acid, niacinamide. This ingredient (ingredients) might help reduce hyperpigmentation, but the effect, if any, is likely to be small.
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-agingRetinol, Glycolic acid + 2 moreWorks well
“A high-potency 20% glycolic acid complex and 1.5% time-released retinol help improve the look of texture, clarity, uneven tone, fine lines, and wrinkles.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains retinol, adenosine, glycolic acid, niacinamide.
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.
Anti-blemishSide benefit · Retinol, Niacinamide + 2 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide, retinol. These ingredients is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: glycolic acid
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Retinol, AdenosineWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (retinol) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Retinol, AlcoholMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Glycolic acid~5.5–8.3%
- 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 acidSodium hydroxide~3.7–5.5%
Butylene glycol~2.6–4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolRetinol~2–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
Two steps removed from the active form of vitamin A - retinoic acid. Once converted to the retinoic acid in the skin, retinol is proven to be effective against all signs of aging. It improves skin cell turnover, helps fight blemishes and clogged pores, can regulate excess oil production and even skin tone. It can, however, be quite irritating
More about RetinolLecithin~1.6–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinSodium hyaluronate~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateAllantoin~0.95–1.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinNiacinamide~0.9–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamideAdenosine~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might help improve cell turnover and reduce inflammation in skin. One study shows that the ingredients might be able to help reduce dynamic wrinkles (for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead)
More about AdenosinePotassium sorbate~0.3–0.6%
Sodium benzoate~0.25–0.5%
Potassium phosphate~0.2–0.7%
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.5%
Pentylene glycol~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolPolysorbate 20~0.05–0.25%
Alcohol~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
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
More about AlcoholPhenoxyethanol~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolIngredient list view
Water, Glycolic acid, Sodium hydroxide, Butylene glycol, Retinol, Lecithin, Sodium hyaluronate, Allantoin, Niacinamide, Adenosine, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate, Potassium phosphate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene glycol, Polysorbate 20, Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol
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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.
| Peter Thomas RothEven Smoother Glycolic Retinol Peel PadsYOUR PRODUCT | Dr Dennis GrossAdvanced Retinol + Ferulic Overnight Texture Renewal Peel | innisfreeRetinol Cica Repair Pad (60 sheets) | NeoRetinDISCROM Lightening Peel Pads - CLEARANCE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 76% | 73% | 68% |
| Price | $52.00 | — | $18.38−$33.62 | $33.51−$18.49 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 6 | 4 of 6 | 3 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Lactic Acid | Salicylic Acid | Salicylic Acid |
| Irritancy | Medium | High | Medium | High |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | — | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power LiquidKate Somerville RetAsphere Micro Peel
Product summary
"Peter Thomas Roth - Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Peel Pads" is effective for: Evens skin tone, Anti-aging, Exfoliation and Anti-blemish
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Exfoliating acids (glycolic acid 5.50% - 8.30%). In this concentration, they will have a noticeable exfoliating effect. They can also have an anti-aging effect and stimulate collagen production in a long-run.
- This product contains an effective form of Retinoids (vitamin A): retinol 2.00% - 2.90%. Retinoids are potent multitasking actives. They work to improve and prevent early signs of aging, reduce hyperpigmentation (age spots and post-acne marks), and prevent inflamed blemishes and clogged pores. The downside of Retinoids is that they can be irritating. If you are not already using a Retinoid in your routine, it is best to start slowly and apply the Retinoid product only a few times per week. If your skin tolerates it well, you can gradually increase the frequency to daily.
- Adenosine 0.50% - 1.20%. It is a chemical present inside our skin cells. A clinical trial confirmed that topical application of Adenosine in a low concentration can reduce dynamic wrinkles (these are the wrinkles that appear with age in a places where our mimic is the most active, for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead).
- In addition, this product contains Allantoin (0.95% - 1.45%). Allantoin is helpful in wound-healing and can help restore the skin barrier faster. It might also be able to improve scars, but the evidence is not very strong for this.
- Humectants (sodium hyaluronate 1.30% - 1.90%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails for 52.00$ in the United States, from 65.60CA$ up to 143.28CA$ in Canada, from 79.00A$ up to 156.26A$ in Australia, from 38.90£ up to 40.04£ in the United Kingdom and for 90.00NZ$ in New Zealand.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 12 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3
- 4
- 5Improvement of naturally aged skin with vitamin A (retinol)ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6
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