Works for
Evens skin toneLactic acid, Salicylic acid + 2 moreWorks well
“This revolutionary dual phase treatment rapidly replenishes with skin-brightening vitamin c and skin-firming peptides to help smooth rough texture, even skin tone and minimize the appearance of fine lines.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: lactic acid, 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.
ExfoliationLactic acid, Salicylic acid + 1 moreWorks well
“Microdelivery Resurfacing 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: lactic acid, salicylic acid.
Anti-agingLactic acid, Palmitoyl oligopeptide + 3 moreMay help
“This revolutionary dual phase treatment rapidly replenishes with skin-brightening vitamin c and skin-firming peptides to help smooth rough texture, even skin tone and minimize the appearance of fine lines.”
This product contains lactic acid, palmitoyl oligopeptide. These ingredients 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.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Palmitoyl oligopeptide, Lactic acid + 7 moreWorks well
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:
lactic acid, caprylyl glycol.
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: helianthus annuus seed oil, ethylhexyl palmitate.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: palmitoyl oligopeptide
Anti-blemishSide benefit · Salicylic acid, Retinyl palmitateWorks well
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Retinyl palmitate, Parfum + 1 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Lactic acid~4.4–6.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
More about Lactic acidHydroxyethylcellulose~3.8–5.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures
More about HydroxyethylcelluloseSalicylic acid~1.25–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
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)
More about Salicylic acidLinoleamidopropyl pg-dimonium chloride phosphate~2.1–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
1,2-hexanediol~0.5–1.2%
Caprylyl glycol~1.5–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolPolyquaternium-10~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product finish
More about Polyquaternium-10Peg-6~1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients and attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Peg-6Sodium bicarbonate~1–1.5%
Oleth-20~0.55–1.3%
Glyceryl stearate se~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Used to stabilize the product formulations and works as an emollient
More about Glyceryl stearate seSilica~0.55–1.3%
Tocopheryl acetate~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetate1,2-hexanediol~0.3–0.75%
Caprylyl glycol~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolMagnesium ascorbyl phosphate~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A derivative of vitamin C that is more stable, but less bioavailable than the pure form of vitamin C. It does not penetrate the skin well, but has been shown to convert to pure vitamin C once in skin. It can be helpful in stimulating collagen production and lightening the skin tone, but the required concentration is likely to be very high
More about Magnesium ascorbyl phosphateHelianthus annuus seed oil~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilTocopherol~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolBeta-carotene~0.15–0.55%
Retinyl palmitate~0.1–0.45%
- 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 palmitateEthylhexyl palmitate~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin and create a nice product texture
More about Ethylhexyl palmitateParfum~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumPalmitoyl oligopeptide~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Palmitoyl oligopeptideTribehenin~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin
More about TribeheninSorbitan isostearate~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan isostearateLimonene~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneBht~0.05–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Water, Lactic acid, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Salicylic acid, Linoleamidopropyl pg-dimonium chloride phosphate, 1,2-hexanediol, Caprylyl glycol, Polyquaternium-10, Peg-6, Sodium bicarbonate, Oleth-20, Glyceryl stearate se, Silica, Tocopheryl acetate, 1,2-hexanediol, Caprylyl glycol, Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Tocopherol, Beta-carotene, Retinyl palmitate, Ethylhexyl palmitate, Parfum, Palmitoyl oligopeptide, Tribehenin, Sorbitan isostearate, Limonene, Bht
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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.
| PhilosophyMicrodelivery Resurfacing PeelYOUR PRODUCT | Kerstin FlorianCorrecting At-Home Professional Peel 50 pc | NorevaAcnomega 200 | BABORREFINE RX AHA 10+ 10 Peeling Gel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 85% | 80% | 80% |
| Price | — | $73.35 | $24.95 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 5 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Key difference | — | Glycolic Acid | Glycolic Acid | 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid |
| Irritancy | High | Low | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: CeraVe Blemish Control Gel Moisturiser with 2% Salicylic Acid & Niacinamide for Blemish-Prone SkinMALIN + GOETZ Salicylic Gel
Product summary
"Philosophy - Microdelivery Resurfacing Peel" is effective for: Exfoliation, Evens skin tone, Anti-blemish and Moisturizing
This product could be helpful for: Anti-aging, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- This product contains acids (lactic acid 2.20% - 2.70%). Their concentration is low, and they will not have a strong exfoliating effect. Instead, they work to support the skin natural acid mantle and to attract water (as humectants). Lactic acid is particularly good in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin and improving the skin barrier.
- This product includes a form of Retinoids (vitamin A) - retinyl palmitate 0.25% - 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.
- Peptides (palmitoyl oligopeptide 0.30% - 0.50%). There are many different kind of Peptides and they are naturally present in our skin. They all are a combination of aminoacids. Some of them work as natural antibiotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The science is still not settled on how effective Peptides are in skincare, but it is very likely that they have a benefit. They might help restore the skin barrier and fight the signs of aging. At the very least, Peptides work as humectants: they attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve its hydration.
- Salicylic acid (1.10% - 1.40%). This is an oil-soluble exfoliating acid. Because of this property, it can work inside pores and help reduce the congestion. It has an anti-inflammatory effect and is used to treat acne. Because it is a quite strong exfoliator, be careful with using this product too often: it could result in over-exfoliation.
- Humectants (lactic acid 2.20% - 2.70%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails for 95.00CA$ in Canada and for 72.00$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 17 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skinpdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 3Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4Beta Hydroxy Acidsfda.gov
- 5A review of toxicity from topical salicylic acid preparationssciencedirect.com
- 6
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