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Skin Script Glycolic & Retinol Pads
Skin Script

Skin Script Glycolic & Retinol Pads

Efficacy100/100IrritancyHigh
See all ingredients

Works for

Anti-blemish
Retinol, Glycolic acid
Works well
What the product description says
“Lessens future breakouts”
Source: Skin Script

This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: retinol. This ingredient 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

RetinolHeroEffect: HighTwo 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~0.55–1.3%
Glycolic acidKey activeEffect: MediumAn 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 acid2%
Exfoliation
Glycolic acid, Retinol
Works well
What the product description says
“Assists with surface renewal and resurfacing”
Source: Skin Script

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.

Glycolic acidKey activeEffect: HighAn 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 acid2%
RetinolKey activeEffect: HighTwo 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~0.55–1.3%
Anti-aging
Retinol, Glycolic acid
Works well
What the product description says
“Assists in anti-wrinkle actions”
Source: Skin Script

This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains retinol, 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.

RetinolHeroEffect: HighTwo 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~0.55–1.3%
Glycolic acidKey activeEffect: HighAn 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 acid2%
Evens skin tone
Retinol, Arbutin + 2 more
Works well
What the product description says
“Brightens the appearance of pigmentation spots”
Source: Skin Script

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, kojic acid. This ingredient (ingredients) might help reduce hyperpigmentation, but the effect, if any, is likely to be small.

The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually can help even out the skin tone: arbutin.

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.

RetinolHeroEffect: HighTwo 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~0.55–1.3%
ArbutinKey activeEffect: MediumBeta-arbutin. Can help to reduce hyperpigmentation and has an anti-oxidant effect when used in high enough concentration. Is less effective compared to alpha-arbutin4%
Kojic acidKey activeEffect: HighHelps to reduce hyperpigmentation and neutralize free radicals. Can be irritating3%
Glycolic acidKey activeEffect: HighAn 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 acid2%
Anti-oxidation
Side benefit · Arbutin, Kojic acid + 1 more
Works well

This product contains antioxidants (kojic acid, 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).

The following ingredients - arbutin also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.

ArbutinKey activeEffect: MediumBeta-arbutin. Can help to reduce hyperpigmentation and has an anti-oxidant effect when used in high enough concentration. Is less effective compared to alpha-arbutin4%
Kojic acidKey activeEffect: HighHelps to reduce hyperpigmentation and neutralize free radicals. Can be irritating3%
RetinolKey activeEffect: HighTwo 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~0.55–1.3%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
4 strong irritants: Hamamelis virginiana water, Citrus limon peel oil + 2 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 7 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Hamamelis virginiana waterA plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritatingHigh~23–34%est.
Kojic acidHelps to reduce hyperpigmentation and neutralize free radicals. Can be irritatingHigh3%
Glycolic acidAn 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 acidHigh2%
Citrus limon peel oilA highly irritating fragranceHigh~2.8–4.2%est.
Citrus aurantium amara flower oilUsed as a fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~1.8–2.8%est.
RetinolTwo 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 irritatingHigh~0.55–1.3%est.
ArbutinBeta-arbutin. Can help to reduce hyperpigmentation and has an anti-oxidant effect when used in high enough concentration. Is less effective compared to alpha-arbutinMedium4%
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged
Alternatives
The closest match we found
RetAsphere Micro Peel
Kate Somerville RetAsphere Micro Peel
Closest match91% match
View all alternatives

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Hamamelis virginiana water~23–34%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-inflammatory

A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating

More about Hamamelis virginiana water
Water~14–21%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Arbutin4%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Evens skin toneAnti-oxidation

Beta-arbutin. Can help to reduce hyperpigmentation and has an anti-oxidant effect when used in high enough concentration. Is less effective compared to alpha-arbutin

More about Arbutin
Kojic acid3%
Key activeIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-oxidationEvens skin tone

Helps to reduce hyperpigmentation and neutralize free radicals. Can be irritating

More about Kojic acid
Glycolic acid2%
Key activeIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-agingExfoliationEvens skin toneAnti-blemish

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 acid
Polysorbate 20~4.2–6.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Polysorbate 20
Citrus limon peel oil~2.8–4.2%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A highly irritating fragrance

More about Citrus limon peel oil
Citrus aurantium amara flower oil~1.8–2.8%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Citrus aurantium amara flower oil
Retinol~0.55–1.3%
Hero · Anti-aging, Evens skin tone, Anti-blemishIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Evens skin toneAnti-blemishMattifyingAnti-agingExfoliationAnti-oxidation

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 Retinol
Ingredient list view

Hamamelis virginiana water, Water, Arbutin, Kojic acid, Glycolic acid, Polysorbate 20, Citrus limon peel oil, Citrus aurantium amara flower oil, Retinol

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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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
Skin ScriptGlycolic & Retinol PadsYOUR PRODUCTKate SomervilleRetAsphere Micro PeelPeter Thomas RothEven Smoother Glycolic Retinol Peel PadsNeoRetinDISCROM Lightening Peel Pads - CLEARANCE
Match—91%91%89%
Price——$48.10$33.51
Shared key ingredients—3 of 42 of 43 of 4
Key difference—AdenosineNiacinamideSalicylic Acid
Irritancy High Medium Medium High
Drying alcohol—— Contains drying alcohol Contains drying alcohol
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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 10 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Arbutin - Commentatymdedge.com
  2. 2
    TOPICAL TREATMENT OF MELASMAncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation: a review of the epidemiology, clinical features, and treatment options in skin of color.europepmc.org
  4. 4
    Photoprotective and antiinflammatory effects of topical glycolic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. 5
    Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  6. 6
    Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skinmdpi.com
Skin Script Glycolic & Retinol Pads
Skin ScriptGlycolic & Retinol Pads
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