Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant — Reddit Reviews

• Anti-Aging

  Strong evidence

  Glycolic Acid: 17 studies tested it on its own. See all 22 studies→

  What the studies found

  • Most studies found glycolic acid helped with signs of aging
  • It often improved fine lines, roughness, and overall skin texture
  • Some studies found it also helped discoloration and age spots look better
  • It often worked about as well as other anti-aging treatments, though not always better
  • The most common side effects were stinging, burning, and irritation

• Hyperpigmentation

  Some evidence

  Glycolic Acid: 16 studies tested it on its own. See all 25 studies→

  What the studies found

  • Most studies found glycolic acid helped fade dark spots or patches
  • It often worked better when used with other treatments than those treatments alone
  • It usually worked about as well as some other peel treatments, but results were mixed against others
  • Some studies found it improved melasma and post-acne dark marks while also improving skin texture
  • The most common side effects were irritation, discomfort, and short-lived skin reactions, with rare lasting light spots

• Acne

  Some evidence

  Glycolic Acid: 13 studies tested it on its own. See all 22 studies→

  What the studies found

  • Most of these studies found it helped clear acne
  • It often reduced blackheads and whiteheads, and some studies also found fewer red, sore spots
  • It cleared acne more than a placebo in some studies
  • It worked about as well as some other acne peels and creams in several studies
  • The most common side effects were peeling and other early skin irritation

• Texture/Pores

  Not proven yet

  Few or mixed studies. This claim isn't established.

  Glycolic Acid: 4 studies tested it on its own. See all 5 studies→

  On Reddit: Off-tret nights are a community use, with one user saying glycolic acid left skin smoother than tret alone. 8 mentions

  What the studies found

  • The results were split, so there is no clear answer yet on texture and pores
  • Some studies found glycolic acid improved skin texture, roughness, and skin clarity
  • Some studies found it softened fine lines, but one found wrinkle changes were not clearly different
  • The most common side effects were stinging and burning, and some studies found more side effects than comparison treatments

Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not necessarily this exact product.