Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Exfoliation
- Anti-aging
- Evens skin tone
- Anti-oxidation
Doesn't work for:
based on ingredients and %- Anti-blemish
Can it cause trouble?
- Irritation risk: high
- Comedogenic risk ingredients: 3
Key actives
Product Summary
"The Organic Pharmacy - Four Acid Peel 5%" is effective for: Exfoliation, Anti-aging and Evens skin tone
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Humectants (sodium lactate 1.80% - 2.70% and glycerin 2.50% - 3.80%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails from 30.00$ up to 56.16$ in the United States, from 21.00£ up to 32.00£ in the United Kingdom and for 68.80CA$ in Canada.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Works for
Does not work for
Anti-aging
What does the product description say?
Replete with revitalising properties, this exfoliating serum works to improve uneven skin texture and tone for a bright, smooth and youthful-looking visage.
Source: Mankind
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.
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
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)
Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
Replete with revitalising properties, this exfoliating serum works to improve uneven skin texture and tone for a bright, smooth and youthful-looking visage.
Source: Mankind
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.
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
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)
Exfoliation
What does the product description say?
AHAs such as Glycolic, Lactic, Tartaric and Citric Acids (derived from a concentrate of Pineapple, Lemon, Grape and Passion Fruit) gently buff away the top layer of dead cells, revealing the soft, glowing skin waiting just beneath the surface.
Source: Mankind
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.
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
An AHA (alpha-hydroxy acid). It oxidizes quickly which makes it less effective in skincare formulations. It can support skin's barrier and moisture levels
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)
Anti-oxidation
This product contains antioxidants (tartaric acid) 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.
An AHA (alpha-hydroxy acid). It oxidizes quickly which makes it less effective in skincare formulations. It can support skin's barrier and moisture levels
A plant extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. It might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals in skin, but is less potent than the extract from the seeds
Moisturizing
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, sodium lactate.
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).
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
Red algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and create a nicer product consistency
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the product
A plant extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. It might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals in skin, but is less potent than the extract from the seeds
An AHA (alpha-hydroxy acid). It oxidizes quickly which makes it less effective in skincare formulations. It can support skin's barrier and moisture levels
A fruit extract that might help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin, but there is no evidence for any other benefits to the skin
Used to thicken product formulation. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
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)
Anti-blemish
What does the product description say?
Gently exfoliating, this serum helps fight blemishes, improve skin texture and reduce the look of fine lines resulting in a brighter, more radiant complexion.
Source: Naturisimo
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.
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
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Anti-aging | |
| Exfoliation | |
| Evens skin tone | |
| Anti-blemish |
Total Promises Fulfilled score: 87/100.
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Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
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| Product | Similarity | Price | Irritancy |
|---|---|---|---|
 The Organic Pharmacy Four Acid Peel 5% | Current | $21.00 | |
 skintific 2% SALICYLIC ACID ANTI ACNE SERUM | 63% | $45.00 | |
 HoliFrog® Halo AHA + BHA Evening Serum | 62% | $34.68 | |
 HoliFrog Halo AHA+BHA Evening Serum | 62% | $-1.00 | |
 IDF Halo AHA + BHA Evening Serum | 62% | $0.00 | |
 ISDIN Isdinceutics Pigment Expert Pigment Correcting Serum 10 Phials + Night Peel Exfoliating Night Peel 10 Phials | 61% | $25.67 |
Key Actives
Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
All ingredients
Ingredient list view
Hamamelis virginiana water, Water, Citrus grandis peel oil, Passiflora quadrangularis fruit extract, Glycerin, Sodium lactate, Citrus limon fruit extract, Alcohol, Algin, Ananas sativus fruit extract, Vitis vinifera fruit extract, Dehydroacetic acid, Benzyl alcohol, Chondrus crispus, Carrageenan, Xanthan gum, Potassium sorbate, Sodium bisulfite, Sorbic acid, Limonene, Citral, Linalool, Glycolic acid, Lactic acid, Citric acid, Tartaric acid
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
- Safety Assessment of Citrus-Derived Peel Oils as Used in Cosmetics
- Safety Assessment of Vitis Vinifera (Grape)-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics
- 4 Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Sodium Dehydroacetate and Dehydroacetic Acid
- Seaweeds as Source of Bioactive Substances and Skin Care Therapy—Cosmeceuticals, Algotheraphy, and Thalassotherapy
- Photoprotective and antiinflammatory effects of topical glycolic acid
- Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current review
- Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skin
- Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acid
- Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skin
- Control of keratinization with á-hydroxy acids and related compounds: I. Topical treatment of ichthyotic disorders
- Method of treating wrinkles using tartaric acid
- Impact of the condition of storage of tartaric acid solutions on the production and stability of glyoxylic acid