Glycolic Gel Peel - Enhanced with Retinol and Green Tea Extract (10% Strength)

This is my first review ever. I never take the time to write them, however I always read them before a purchase. I trust you guys to lead me to my final choice often. This is the first product I've ever bought for my skin that has surpassed any of my expectations.A little about me: mid 20's, male, constant acne and cystic acne (aprox. 5-10 zits/cysts on face at any given time), oily skin (beyond oily...), active, fit, healthy, dairy free 99% of the time, have tried all OTC acne/oil control, bought everything they could sell me at Neimans/Saks/Sephora, Clarasonic, tried light therapy, dedicated the "needed time" to perscriptons and creams from numerous dermatologists, diet change, candita test, allergy tests, get regular sleep, take twice daily a perscripton antibiotic (Bactrim)....I could go on and on.I was blessed with perfect skin my entire life until I moved for college. I will also, as humbly as possible say, I am aesthetically pleasing, well built, smart, successful, personable, etc... Since moving, the past seven years have been hell for me emotionally. My acne has controlled my life causing constant anxiety, fear of looking people in the face, and fear of walking through a room. I position myself in a chair where the lighting will not enhance my condition at a restaurant (if I even decided to go). It has cost me opportunities at school, work, and in relationships...if you can relate, you have my sympathy. I understand. I'm a 28 guy, and would be on the verge of tears because I couldn't even look in the mirror. I'm describing this not for pity, but only for those of you who read this who are suffering at my level (because some may be worse, some may be better).I purchased this product because my friend recommended me to this "miracle skin doctor" in Miami. I checked her out, saw her procedures, set an appointment, paid the $250 consultation, and took home a piece of paper telling me my treatment plan for the next six months (to the tune of over $2,800). Desperate, and fortunate enough to afford, I booked my first appointment. I checked out what was being done, googled it, saw a similar product to this come up on Amazon, researched countless products for two days, purchased this and the brush. It arrived two days later.Hesitant to apply, due to the fact I had no clue what the FU&K I was doing, and from reading the reviews about the burning and other side effects, I applied my first treatment.Started on my forehead, down my face, cheeks, nose, jawline, chin. It stung and burned a bit, but nothing as close to some others have experienced. It was tolerable enough; I applied a second layer. Waited the for about 20 seconds, then it was burning. I washed off with cold water.My skin felt a little "raw," I had to pat my face dry lightly. It felt a bit tingly. Right away applied an oil free green tea moisturizer (the freebie from my proactiv plus kit). Then I took a nap.I woke up, looked in the mirror, and was shocked. Instant difference in my tone and texture. Yes. Acne still there, but my face looked much "clearer." It's hard to describe. I Woke up the next morning and almost screamed. My active acne had shrunk considerably, with some completely gone. I went about my routine...Proactic plus face wash, pore minimizing toner (with alcohol and it did not burn my face to my surprise), proactiv plus pore minimizing serum, proactiv plus moisturizer. I did that for five days with my regular routine at night. Night: same face wash, 10% BP "spot treatment" on almost my entire face, sulfur mask as spot treatment on active acne.Every day got better and better. I usually have to use 5-10 oil blotting sheets a day. On day four, I went to blot out of habit before getting out of my car and the sheet had minimal oil spots. Blotted again at work. Same thing. Blotted again later at work. Same thing. Minimal oil. I was shocked. Day five came, did another peel, same feeling during the first trearment and about the same time. When drying my face, my face just felt clean. Not raw. I applied my moisturizer, and went about my day at home cleaning.Canceled my appts with the "miracle skin doctor."It's been three days since my second treatment. My EXCESSIVLY oily skin I used to suffer from is like gone! No BS. I do not have to blot nearly as often, only about twice a day. My skin tone is more even. My scars are already more faint. I even "picked" a scar off while shaving the other morning to discover even toned skin underneath. My face is clear except for a few spots. I have three small nodules; two that would have been cysts on my jaw line and one on my temple that would have been one of those deep soar under the skin mountains. They are currently small, I mean small, small little bumps. All other acne...gone. I use my skin routine described above still, I use a BP spot treatment on the three bumps also in the day. I used a mud mask (the origins black one) once since my first treatment. Some helpful tips, keep away from your eyes and the soft skin underneath. Close them really tight when rinsing off so the water with the product doesn't get into your eyes. Splash rinse cool water fast and constant so nothing is on your eyelids too long during the rinse period. Same goes for lips. Use a calming moisturizer after. Peeling has not been an issue for me. Did have some mild happen, my moisturizer took care of it.I have not noticed a dramatic difference in my pore size. I have not noticed a difference in wrinkles (not really suffering from this).Whatever you feel, I'm telling you, GIVE THIS SH*T A SHOT!! It's like $25bucks. If it doesn't work, throw it away!! Hand to God, this has been my experience and am astonished by early on results. I hope you have similar results, I will post a follow up, if I can figure out how to, in some weeks to come. I hope I have not written this in vein, especially since I'm on my iPhone and trying to type this. I hope you were able to take something from my truth.

This is a great product. I would not use this if I had no knowledge of how it works, as a first time user. I’m experienced with peels. I didn’t see anything on the neutralizing with baking soda. I would recommend that. Also, because it’s a gel you have to really make sure you are neutralizing it well. It’s not a simple one shot rise off. I think that is why the others failed that gave it a bad rating. I had to really almost make a really wet paste and swirl it around to get the gel off. Overall, I think this is a great product for the experienced person. I would also recommend a great moisturizer and sunscreen. Because this thins the skin, the sunscreen is paramount.

Great price. Fast shipping. Skin feels clean but too soon to see any real difference (using only 3 days).

So when I first started on these, I got the 50%. I thought since I was on .01 tretinoin gel, I could handle it. Ok no. Trust me when I say to work up in strength! This is not some cheap drugstore formula that you never feel it working. I purchased the 30% strength. I want to feel it but don’t want to burn my face off lol. This get is a good tween strength. This level is not for sensitive skin. Especially right out of the gate. You have to move fast and start in high tolerance areas first. Set a timer and pay attention to that and how your skin feels!I use my fingers. I start on my nose, then forehead, then chin. Then I quickly put on cheeks then upper lip area (mouth area is always fastest). Then I pay attention to how it feels. Tingle fine. Watch the timer. When you start feeling a burn start rinsing with cold water! It takes quite a few rinse passes to get it all off. Don’t mess around with this part. Rinse as much and as fast as you can. Until you don’t feel the burn anymore. Then IMMEDIATELY apply a moisturizing face cream with no fragrance or oils. I do not do my usual routine. I get the super moisturizing product lined up and open. I do this once a week. I don’t peel but I do notice my skin is way smoother and moisturized. Products go right in. Sometimes I do a couple layers of cream. Your face does feel tight but that is normal. I don’t break out from this. Don’t have breakouts when I stick to this. It works. Be patient and do not rush to the highest level. Read the instructions! I don’t keep this on for more than 30 seconds tops! I am rinsing around the 15-20 second marker. If you burned your face, you did it wrong. You either started with a too strong of a level or you left it on too long.For sensitive skin or beginners, I highly recommend the lowest level. Start in one area then rinse. Go to another area then rinse. 6 sections. Forehead. L and R cheek. Nose. Chin. Upper lip/mouth area. You have more control on how long to leave it. 1x/week. When the whole bottle is gone and your skin has tolerated this with absolutely no discomfort, then you can think about going to the next level. If you’re skin is still reactive, stay on the lower % for another bottle. This bottle should last a good 3 months. You don’t need a lot! Hope this helps. If anyone has questions about my review I’d be happy to answer!