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SOBEL SKIN Rx 30% Glycolic Acid Peel
SOBEL SKIN Rx

SOBEL SKIN Rx 30% Glycolic Acid Peel

Efficacy85/100IrritancyHigh
See all ingredients

Works for

Anti-aging
Glycolic acid
Works well
What the product description says
“Fine Lines and Wrinkles, Dullness, and Uneven Texture Formulation.”
Source: Sephora

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 acid30%
Evens skin tone
Glycolic acid
Works well
What the product description says
“Fine Lines and Wrinkles, Dullness, and Uneven Texture Formulation.”
Source: Sephora

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 acid30%
Exfoliation
Glycolic acid
Works well
What the product description says
“30% Glycolic Acid Peel”
From product name

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 acid30%
Moisturizing
Galactoarabinan, Sodium pca + 3 more
Works
What the product description says
“Fine Lines and Wrinkles, Dullness, and Uneven Texture Formulation.”
Source: Sephora

This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": galactoarabinan, glycerin.

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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).

GalactoarabinanKey active· HumectantEffect: HighHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin~3.6–5.4%
Sodium pcaKey active· HumectantEffect: HighNaturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer~2.7–4%
Sodium hyaluronateKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~2–3%
GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~0.15–0.6%
Cucumis sativus fruit extractEffect: Low, below effective doseMight be somewhat helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals but its typical concentration in a product is too low for having an effect~0.35–0.8%
Anti-blemish
Glycolic acid
Not delivered
What the product description says
“Exfoliates skin and targets enlarged pores. . Larch Tree Extract.”
Source: Sephora

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.

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 acid30%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
4 strong irritants: Glycolic acid, Hamamelis virginiana water + 2 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 9 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
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 acidHigh30%
Hamamelis virginiana waterA plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritatingHigh~1.4–2.1%est.
AlcoholCan be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial propertiesHigh~1–1.6%est.
Chamomilla recutita flower extractPlant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritatingHigh~0.85–1.3%est.
Calendula officinalis flower extractA plant extract that has some anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties. Can be irritatingHigh~0.5–1.1%est.
EthoxydiglycolHelps to improve the product consistencyMedium~5.9–8.9%est.
GalactoarabinanHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skinMedium~3.6–5.4%est.
Cucumis sativus fruit extractMight be somewhat helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals but its typical concentration in a product is too low for having an effectMedium~0.35–0.8%est.
EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~0.05–0.2%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged
Alternatives
Cheaper, or higher on efficacy
Exfoliating Facial Peeling AHA %10 + BHA %2
The Purest Solutions Exfoliating Facial Peeling AHA %10 + BHA %2
Higher efficacy · 91/10068% match
$21.99
Morning Bright Repair at Night
Dr Dennis Gross Morning Bright Repair at Night
Higher efficacy · 100/10064% match
View all alternatives

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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
Glycolic acid30%
Key activeIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Evens skin toneAnti-agingExfoliationAnti-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
Ethoxydiglycol~5.9–8.9%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Helps to improve the product consistency

More about Ethoxydiglycol
Galactoarabinan~3.6–5.4%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin

More about Galactoarabinan
Sodium pca~2.7–4%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer

More about Sodium pca
Sodium hyaluronate~2–3%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin

More about Sodium hyaluronate
Hamamelis virginiana water~1.4–2.1%
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
Alcohol~1–1.6%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Antibacterial

Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties

More about Alcohol
Chamomilla recutita flower extract~0.85–1.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-inflammatory

Plant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritating

More about Chamomilla recutita flower extract
Calendula officinalis flower extract~0.5–1.1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-oxidation

A plant extract that has some anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties. Can be irritating

More about Calendula officinalis flower extract
Cucumis sativus fruit extract~0.35–0.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidationMoisturizing

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 extract
Glycerin~0.15–0.6%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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 Glycerin
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.05–0.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin
Sodium hydroxide~0.05–0.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide
Ingredient list view

Water, Glycolic acid, Ethoxydiglycol, Galactoarabinan, Sodium pca, Sodium hyaluronate, Hamamelis virginiana water, Alcohol, Chamomilla recutita flower extract, Calendula officinalis flower extract, Cucumis sativus fruit extract, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium hydroxide

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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
SOBEL SKIN Rx30% Glycolic Acid PeelYOUR PRODUCTThe Purest SolutionsExfoliating Facial Peeling AHA %10 + BHA %2Dr Dennis GrossMorning Bright Repair at NightMake BeautyACID PHASE AHA Exfoliating Liquid
Match—68%64%63%
Price—$21.99——
Shared key ingredients—4 of 54 of 54 of 5
Key difference—Salicylic AcidRetinolSalicylic Acid
Irritancy High Medium High Low
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
    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
  4. 4
    Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. 5
    Hyaluronan (Hyaluronic Acid): a natural moisturizer for skin careresearchgate.net
  6. 6
    Topical application of Calendula officinalis (L.): Formulation and evaluation of hydrophilic cream with antioxidant activitypdfs.semanticscholar.org
SOBEL SKIN Rx 30% Glycolic Acid Peel
SOBEL SKIN Rx30% Glycolic Acid Peel
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As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.