The Organic Pharmacy Four Acid Peel 5%
Works for
ExfoliationGlycolic acid, Tartaric acid + 1 moreWorks well
“Four Acid Peel 5%”
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.
Anti-agingGlycolic acid, Lactic acidWorks well
“Replete with revitalising properties, this exfoliating serum works to improve uneven skin texture and tone for a bright, smooth and youthful-looking visage.”
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 toneGlycolic acid, Lactic acidWorks well
“Replete with revitalising properties, this exfoliating serum works to improve uneven skin texture and tone for a bright, smooth and youthful-looking visage.”
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 · Tartaric acid, Vitis vinifera fruit extractMay help
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.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Glycerin, Sodium lactate + 6 moreWorks
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, sodium lactate.
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: chondrus crispus extract.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy7 strong irritants: Hamamelis virginiana water, Citrus grandis peel oil + 5 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Hamamelis virginiana water~22–33%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating
More about Hamamelis virginiana waterWater~12–18%
Citrus grandis peel oil~5.2–7.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant oil with high content of volatile compounds that, especially when exposed to air, can cause allergic reactions and irritate the skin
More about Citrus grandis peel oilPassiflora quadrangularis fruit extract~3.5–5.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glycerin~2.5–3.8%
- 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 GlycerinSodium lactate~1.8–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the product
More about Sodium lactateCitrus limon fruit extract~1.5–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and cause photosensitivity
More about Citrus limon fruit extractAlcohol~1.2–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
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 AlcoholAlgin~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Used to thicken product formulation. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about AlginAnanas sativus fruit extract~0.9–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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
More about Ananas sativus fruit extractVitis vinifera fruit extract~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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
More about Vitis vinifera fruit extractDehydroacetic acid~0.3–0.6%
Benzyl alcohol~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholChondrus crispus extract~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Red algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and create a nicer product consistency
More about Chondrus crispus extractXanthan gum~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumPotassium sorbate~0.3–0.6%
Sodium bisulfite~0.1–0.2%
Sorbic acid~0.15–0.6%
Limonene~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneCitral~0.1–0.4%
Linalool~0.1–0.3%
Glycolic acid~0.1–0.35%
- 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 acidLactic acid~0.05–0.25%
- 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 acidCitric acid~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidTartaric acid~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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
More about Tartaric acidIngredient 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 extract, Xanthan gum, Potassium sorbate, Sodium bisulfite, Sorbic acid, Limonene, Citral, Linalool, Glycolic acid, Lactic acid, Citric acid, Tartaric acid
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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.
| The Organic PharmacyFour Acid Peel 5%YOUR PRODUCT | skintific2% SALICYLIC ACID ANTI ACNE SERUM | ISDINIsdinceutics Night Peel | ARCONAGentle Solution | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 63% | 63% | 63% |
| Price | — | — | — | $26.24 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 5 | 4 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
| Key difference | — | Salicylic Acid | Urea | Lactic Acid |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Herbivore Botanicals Milky Way 10% AHA + Oat Soothing Exfoliating SerumHerbivore Milky Way Sérum Exfoliant 10% Acide Lactique
Product summary
"The Organic Pharmacy - Four Acid Peel 5%" is effective for: Exfoliation, Anti-aging and Evens skin tone
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Humectants (sodium lactate 1.80% - 2.70% and glycerin 2.50% - 3.80%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails from 30.00$ 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.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 12 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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