Purlisse Watermelon 2-Minute Polishing Peel
Works for
ExfoliationGlycolic acid, Papain + 1 moreWorks well
“Watermelon 2-Minute Polishing 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.
MoisturizingGlycerin, Caprylic/capric triglyceride + 6 moreWorks
“Watermelon – Hydrates and soothes with vitamins A, B, and C”
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:
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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, helianthus annuus seed oil.
Anti-agingSide benefit the brand mentions · Glycolic acid, Lactic acidWorks well
“Enriched with powerful ingredients like Watermelon, Glycolic Acid, Lychee, Beet and Purple Carrot that are filled with anti-aging properties, this facial leaves skin looking bright, smooth and revitalized.”
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.
Evens skin toneSide benefit · Glycolic acid, Lactic acidWorks well
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-oxidationSide benefit · Camellia sinensis extract, Daucus carota sativa root extract + 3 moreMay help
This product contains antioxidants (camellia sinensis 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?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: ParfumMedium risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Pumice~5.5–6.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Milled volcanic rock. Used as an abrasive for physical exfoliation
More about PumiceGlycerin~3.9–4.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinCaprylic/capric triglyceride~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideCetearyl alcohol~2.4–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholKaolin~2.1–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of clay that consists mainly of aluminum silicate. Helps absorb oil and creates a thicker product consistency. Can be used to add a white color
More about KaolinPropanediol~1.7–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolGlyceryl stearate~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearatePeg-100 stearate~1.3–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateLactic acid~0.95–1.2%
- 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 acidGlycolic acid~0.75–1.1%
- 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 acidPapain~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
An enzyme extracted from papaya fruit. Can have an exfoliating effect on the skin. Can be irritating
More about PapainBromelain~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Citrullus lanatus seed oil~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Citrullus lanatus fruit extract~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that can contain an antioxidant compound
More about Citrullus lanatus fruit extractCucumis sativus fruit extract~0.5–0.7%
- 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 extract~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tea extract. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals in skin
More about Camellia sinensis extractHelianthus annuus seed oil~0.45–0.7%
- 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 oilAloe barbadensis leaf extract~0.45–0.7%
- 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 extractHydroxyethylcellulose~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures
More about HydroxyethylcelluloseLitchi chinensis seed powder~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Daucus carota sativa root extract~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Carrot extract. Might have anti-oxidant properties and be used to add orange color
More about Daucus carota sativa root extractBeta vulgaris root extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might have some antioxidant properties, but mostly used in cosmetics for its color
More about Beta vulgaris root extractPhenoxyethanol~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolSodium hydroxide~0.2–0.35%
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.2–0.35%
Xanthan gum~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumMaltodextrin~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil
More about MaltodextrinDehydroxanthan gum~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create thicker product formulations and stabilize emulsions
More about Dehydroxanthan gumSodium metabisulfite~0.1–0.2%
Sodium benzoate~0.1–0.15%
Parfum~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumIngredient list view
Water, Pumice, Glycerin, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Cetearyl alcohol, Kaolin, Propanediol, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Lactic acid, Glycolic acid, Papain, Bromelain, Citrullus lanatus seed oil, Citrullus lanatus fruit extract, Cucumis sativus fruit extract, Camellia sinensis extract, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Litchi chinensis seed powder, Daucus carota sativa root extract, Beta vulgaris root extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan gum, Maltodextrin, Dehydroxanthan gum, Sodium metabisulfite, Sodium benzoate, Parfum
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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.
| PurlisseWatermelon 2-Minute Polishing PeelYOUR PRODUCT | ObagiEXFODERM FORTE | ZO Skin HealthExfoliation Accelerator | IconixPeel & revive | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 61% | 59% | 59% |
| Price | $35.00 | $101.00+$66.00 | $70.00+$35.00 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 7 | 4 of 7 | 4 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Dimethicone | Retinyl Palmitate | Bakuchiol |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Medium | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Bubble Skincare Moon Walk Gentle Exfoliating SerumDeviant Skincare Gentle Resurfacing Liquid
Product summary
"Purlisse - Watermelon 2-Minute Polishing Peel" is effective for: Evens skin tone, Anti-aging and Exfoliation
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- This product contains acids (glycolic acid 0.85% - 1.30% and lactic acid 1.00% - 1.60%). Their concentration is low, and they will not have a strong exfoliating effect. Instead, they work to support the skin natural acid mantle and to attract water (as humectants). Lactic acid is particularly good in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin and improving the skin barrier.
- Humectants (glycerin 3.40% - 5.10%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails from 24.00$ up to 35.00$ in the United States and for 80.42A$ in Australia.
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
- 2Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skinpdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 4
- 5Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6
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