Glycolic Acid 50% Gel Peel - Enhanced with Retinol & Green Tea Extract (Professional Skin Peel)1 ounce

I've been using this glycolic peel for probably 10 years now, usually once a month. I've tried some cheaper brands of peels over the years but always go back to this one. People are actually shocked when I tell them my age, at 34 I don't really have any noticeable fine lines and I attribute it mostly to this peel as I really don't use anything else other than a light retinol serum and a basic face cream. It also helps with preventing breakouts, when I don't use this consistently my face starts breaking out in areas. I just wash my face, apply the peel evenly and leave it on for about 5-10 minutes, then wash it off with soap and cold water. There is slight irritation and some redness while it's on my face (which is to be expected with a chemical peel) but it's very tolerable and goes away shortly after washing off the peel. A bottle of this lasts me about a year, SO much paying $300 every few months getting chemical peels at a dermatologist or med spa.

It works well and the instructions for leaving the gel on for one minute at a time use, then rinsing immediately are designed to allow you to gradually treat with time to respond to how your skin is reacting. This is wise. I do want to caution you from my own experience to make absolutely certain that you rinse every treated section. I missed a spot, realizing it only after it began to burn, whereupon I rushed to put water on the missed spot. So, learn from my mistake and be very attentive to ensuring that you rinse all treated skin. I reiterate that the issue was me, not the product or instructions. But perhaps we could all do with a reminder to be mindful.

I am MALE, but very conscious of my skin and finally ordered Perfect Image after using a product with Glycolic Acid (only 8%) and being happy with the results that the small concentration of Glycolic Acid within a lotion gave me. I started with Level 1 and quickly moved up to Level 2 after very carefully following all directions contained with the products. I've noticed a change with my skin within 2-3 days after first using the Level 1 product. After going through 2-3 procedures with the Level 2 product, I've noticed a slight decrease in uneven skin pigment and dark spots/colors on my forehead from sun exposure as a teen ager. Skin moisture and elasticity were also increased. A Glycolic acid peel is a very common entry-level peel that is tolerable by almost all people. I plan on moving up to Lactic Acid and/or TCA peels that Perfect image also offers after I'm finished with the Level 2 bottle. This should help even more with wrinkle and pigment/discoloration that have been plugging my face for years. Some important tips when using this product: - Follow the directions and documentation with the product! It is a wealth of information and Perfect Image makes it clear they want you to succeed when using it as well as making sure your experience is successful. - Be very gentle with your skin the first 3-5 days after application of this product. Do not SCRUB, rough-up or use harsh cleansers on your skin. Gently pat dry your skin and use a mild, high quality face soap for those first few days after the application. - Use a good quality moisturizer on your face for the the first few days as well. You won't "peel" in the literal sense but you will notice "flakes" (almost like dandruff) that fall off onto your clothes and may gather up on areas of your face. - For those who know they are sensitive skin users, definitely purchase a lotion with Glycolic acid in it (10% of less). This will greatly decrease any possible sensitivity when starting with Level1 on this product since your skin will have a chance to acclimate to it.

A little background - I'm in my late 20's and have been suffering from acne since I was 11. After many, MANY visits to the dermatologist, two courses of Accutane (once at 13, again at 22), and every OTC product you can dream of on my face, my problem is SOLVED. I initially started with 2 minutes on my face, and increased it by 30 seconds at every application, which occurs every 5 days. For me there is a slight stinging, which is relieved by fanning my face, and my face is red for about 5 minutes after rinsing off the peel. After the first treatment I noticed an obvious brightening of my skin. It was also incredibly smooth. By the third treatment, all the tiny little red bumps that covered my forehead and cheeks were GONE. Not just going away. But completely gone. And as for any actual "peeling", I have had just a little bit around my nose. As for poor size decreasing or fine lines disappearing...I honestly haven't noticed that yet, and I'm about 4 or 5 treatments in. But I'm so in love with this smooth, clear face that I really don't care about that other stuff right now. I know it's gotta be doing something right, and I'm fairly certain I'll noticed a change in those areas by the end of the bottle. My suggestions to you are 1) buy a good moisturizer and use it twice a day. 2)Try to avoid the sun and makeup the day of AND the day after your peel. 3)Put all of your exfoliating products under the sink. You won't need them. And you shouldn't use them. 4)Buy a bunch of alcohol wipes. You need to clean your face with those right before the peel (it's in the directions). All in all, a miracle product for a woman that's been looking for something that works as well as Accutane without destroying my liver. This. Is. It. UPDATE: 12/14/12- My bottle is almost empty. Since I used this product primarily for acne control, once my skin cleared up I found doing a "maintenance" peel once a week for a minute was enough to keep it clear. I still haven't noticed a difference in my fine lines or pores. To be fair, my pores are a force to be reckoned with, and my fine lines are only visible in a magnifying mirror (the blessing of oily skin, I suppose). I will say that there is not a single blemish on my face. I do get one or two little ones at a certain time of the month, but I can't really expect a peel to control my hormones, right? So no complaints there. I stand by my review for this product in regards to acne. It worked for me when literally nothing else besides Accutane ever did. If I could give this 10 stars I would. My skin is glowing, as smooth as my 1 year old's skin, and I'm finally COMFORTABLE with my face. I went out in public the other week without makeup on for the first time since, well, the last time I took Accutane. If you or a loved one is suffering from acne, please please try this out! I can't speak for cystic acne, but for stubborn white heads and red bumps, this might just be the answer!

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.

I am someone who writes both the positives and negatives of products. This honest review I feel is very important that I get it out there to others. I am a seasoned customer and user of retinol, acids(all types and brands), vitamin c, peels, masks, light therapy. So this product should have been no different. Directions stated to leave on for 1 minute, I left it on my face for only about 30 seconds and knew I had to remove it due to the INTENSE burning. Followed directions for removal and then that day and all of the evening my face was so red, bumpy, very dark spots, felt dry like leather and burned beyond anything I've ever felt. Hurt so bad that I couldn't sleep, because I couldn't put my face down on a pillow. Next morning went to ER and sure enough this product had burned my face. Now I'm on a steroid, antibiotics, cream and I have to stay out of the sun for the rest of the summer, possibly longer. This is a nightmare that I'm warning others about and praying my face at some point returns to normal.

Works great, very strong, good quantity

I've done chemical peels for a long time now, BY MYSELF(cosmetologist) but this peel is WAY TOO COMPLICATED for someone who's never done it,or done it THEMSELVES! BE VERY,VERY CAREFUL. It does work, but it's -or at least the directions- are RIDICULOUSLY LONG and don't really make sense, so take heed! Decent peel with confusing and way too long instructions. I don't recommend, just because a person could burn their skin very badly, and it may not fade away,ever. On your FACE. And this is one of this companies lightest peels no less! I wanted to like this,but I won't buy it again,there are companies who sell practically the same thing-WITH A HOME OFFICE YOU CAN EMAIL ABOUT YOUR SKIN AND HOW TO DO THE PEELS. Be careful!!