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SkinCeuticals Smart TCA Peel
SkinCeuticals

SkinCeuticals Smart TCA Peel

Efficacy100/100IrritancyLow
See all ingredients

Works for

Exfoliation
Glycolic acid
Works well
What the product description says
“Smart TCA Peel”
Source: Skinceuticals

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.

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 acid~4.6–6.9%
Anti-aging
Glycolic acid
Works well
What the product description says
“This minimally invasive treatment utilizes a trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peel to exfoliate the skin, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and improve overall skin texture and tone for a more radiant and youthful complexion.”
Source: Skinceuticals

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.

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 acid~4.6–6.9%
Evens skin tone
Glycolic acid
Works well
What the product description says
“This minimally invasive treatment utilizes a trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peel to exfoliate the skin, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and improve overall skin texture and tone for a more radiant and youthful complexion.”
Source: Skinceuticals

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.

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 acid~4.6–6.9%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
3 flagged ingredients
Low risk
We flag 3 ingredients with irritancy potential; the product's overall irritancy is low. The table lists each ingredient's own rating.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
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 acidHigh~4.6–6.9%est.
Sodium lauryl sulfateA cleansing agent (SLS). It can be irritatingHigh~3.6–5.4%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~1.5–2.2%est.
Comedogenic
1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
1 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Sodium lauryl sulfateA cleansing agent (SLS). It can be irritating3/5~3.6–5.4%est.
Alternatives
Cheaper, or higher on efficacy
DMK Micro Peel
Danne Montague-King DMK Micro Peel
Cheaper67% match
$56.60
Solution
Glossier Solution
Cheaper67% match
$30.00
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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Trichloroacetic acid
Not recognized
Glycolic acid~4.6–6.9%
Key activeIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
ExfoliationEvens skin toneAnti-agingAnti-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
Sodium lauryl sulfate~3.6–5.4%
Comedogenic 3/5Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
Cleansing

A cleansing agent (SLS). It can be irritating

More about Sodium lauryl sulfate
Citric acid~1.5–2.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid
Ingredient list view

Water, Unknown, Glycolic acid, Sodium lauryl sulfate, Citric acid

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Skinceuticals
$154.00
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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
SkinCeuticalsSmart TCA PeelYOUR PRODUCTSKINSmart TCA Peel Anti-Aging Chemical PeelDeviant SkincareGentle Resurfacing LiquidGlossierSolution
Match—73%67%67%
Price$154.00$154.00$52.00−$102.00$30.00−$124.00
Shared key ingredients—1 of 11 of 11 of 1
Key difference——Salicylic AcidNiacinamide
Irritancy Low Low Low Low
Drying alcohol————
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More alternatives: Neutrogena Skin Perfecting Oily Skin Liquid Facial ExfoliantNo7 Glycolic Exfoliating Pads

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Product summary

"SkinCeuticals - Smart TCA Peel" is effective for: Exfoliation, Evens skin tone and Anti-aging

Ingredient callouts

  • Exfoliating acids (glycolic acid 3.40% - 5.20%). 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.

Price

The product retails for 154.00$ 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 3 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Photoprotective and antiinflammatory effects of topical glycolic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skinmdpi.com
SkinCeuticals Smart TCA Peel
SkinCeuticalsSmart TCA Peel
Buy at Skinceuticals$154.00Amazon

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

Buy at Skinceuticals$154.00Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.