Dr. Dennis Gross just reformulated the peel pads everyone hoards. No one asked.
The old version was a literal acid bath—it worked but it *hurt*. The new one? They swapped the base from alcohol to something that doesn’t make your eyes water on contact. That’s the real story.
Still $19 for 5 peels or $92 for 30. Still a two-step system (Step 1: exfoliate, Step 2: neutralize). The claim is “same results, less irritation.” I was skeptical.
No More Alcohol Base
Step 1 used to evaporate like hand sanitizer. Now it feels like a damp cotton pad. Weirdly pleasant.
pH Is Smarter
They adjusted the acidity so it doesn’t nuke your moisture barrier on first pass. You can actually use this 3x a week without peeling like a snake.
Fragrance-Free Finally
The old one had a faint floral ghost that irritated sensitive noses. Gone. Smells like nothing now.
Photo: BATCH by Wisconsin Hemp Scientific / Unsplash
The hero lineup got an upgrade. Lactic acid stepped in to replace some of the glycolic—gentler on melanin-rich skin and dry types. The real workhorse is still the blend of AHAs and BHAs, but the ratios shifted.
- Glycolic Acid: Sheds dead surface cells, but now it’s not the star player
- Lactic Acid: Hydrates while exfoliating — the new MVP
- Salicylic Acid: Still digs into pores for blackheads
- Azelaic Acid: New addition, calms redness post-peel
Photo: Linh Ha / Unsplash
First swipe: no sting. I literally checked the packet to see if I grabbed a moisturizer by mistake. The texture is thinner—almost watery—and absorbs in 8 seconds flat. Step 2 still feels like a soothing toner.
Week 3: my chin texture (those tiny bumps) is 70% gone. But the glow is less “glass skin” and more “well-rested.” That surprised me—I missed the aggressive shine of the old formula.
My pores look smaller—not vanished, just less shouty. Fine lines around my mouth softened slightly. What didn’t change: my occasional hormonal breakout still showed up (just healed faster).
This reformulation is a trade-off. Less drama, more consistency. For daily users who dreaded peel day? This is better. For thrill-seekers? Move along.