Peter Thomas Roth Max Complexion Salicylic Acid Pore Refining Pads
Works for
Evens skin toneGlycolic acid, Camellia sinensis leaf extractWorks well
“This pad’s formula visibly clears blemishes, improves the look of pores, fine lines, and uneven skin tone and texture, and helps prevent future breakouts.”
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, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice + 1 moreWorks well
“This pad’s formula visibly clears blemishes, improves the look of pores, fine lines, and uneven skin tone and texture, and helps prevent future breakouts.”
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, AllantoinWorks well
“Max Complexion Salicylic Acid Pore Refining Pads”
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, Allantoin + 2 moreNot delivered
“Max Complexion Salicylic Acid Pore Refining Pads”
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.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Allantoin, Arginine + 4 moreWorks
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:
allantoin, arginine.
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: arginine.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Prunus persica fruit extract + 1 moreMay 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?
Irritancy9 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., Amyl cinnamal + 7 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Alcohol denat.~23–35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Allantoin~4.8–7.2%
- 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 AllantoinAloe barbadensis leaf juice~3.7–5.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceAmyl cinnamal~2.8–4.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Arginine~2.4–3.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino acid that is naturally present in skin and helps keep it hydrated. When used together with AHAs, it can reduce their irritating effect on the skin
More about ArginineBenzoic acid~0.25–0.5%
Butylene glycol~1–1.45%
- 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 glycolButylparaben~0.2–0.4%
Butylphenyl methylpropional~0.8–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. Can trigger allergic reactions and be irritating
More about Butylphenyl methylpropionalCamellia sinensis leaf extract~0.85–1.25%
- 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~0.5–1.15%
- 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 extractCitric acid~0.4–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidCitronellol~0.35–0.85%
Ethylparaben~0.2–0.4%
Parfum~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumGeraniol~0.2–0.75%
Glycolic acid~0.2–0.8%
- 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 acidHamamelis virginiana water~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating
More about Hamamelis virginiana waterIsobutylparaben~0.15–0.65%
Limonene~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneLinalool~0.15–0.5%
Methylparaben~0.15–0.3%
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPotassium sorbate~0.1–0.35%
Propylparaben~0.05–0.2%
Prunus persica fruit extract~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fruit extact. Might have some anti-oxidant properties
More about Prunus persica fruit extractSodium benzoate~0.05–0.25%
Symphytum officinale root extract~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might be able to help decrease inflammation in skin and have an anti-oxidant effect
More about Symphytum officinale root extractTriethanolamine~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineWater~0.05–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Alcohol denat., Allantoin, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Amyl cinnamal, Arginine, Benzoic acid, Butylene glycol, Butylparaben, Butylphenyl methylpropional, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Chamomilla recutita flower extract, Citric acid, Citronellol, Ethylparaben, Parfum, Geraniol, Glycolic acid, Hamamelis virginiana water, Isobutylparaben, Limonene, Linalool, Methylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium sorbate, Propylparaben, Prunus persica fruit extract, Sodium benzoate, Symphytum officinale root extract, Triethanolamine, Water
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
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 RothMax Complexion Salicylic Acid Pore Refining PadsYOUR PRODUCT | MEDI-PEELDerma Maison Easy Energizing Peel | Glow Hub BeautyThe Glow Giver+++ Supercharged AHA Toning Pads | NEOSTRATAResurface Smooth Surface Glycolic Peel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 53% | 53% | 53% |
| Price | — | $220.77 | — | $65.77 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 4 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | Acetyl Octapeptide-3 | Lactic Acid | Acetyl Tyrosinamide |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: BABOR REFINE RX AHA 10+ 10 Peeling GelMDO The Exfoliant
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 8 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5
- 6
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.