Morning use of this AHA is how I gave myself that tight, shiny “I fucked up” look. Don’t do it.
The pH of this gel is 3.5 — that’s acidic enough to nuke your sunscreen’s protection if you layer wrong. And most people do. Wait 20 minutes before SPF or just save it for night.
It’s a Korean exfoliating gel with 8% glycolic acid. I bought it because the bottle looks like an apothecary potion and I’m shallow like that.
Thick gel texture
Not watery — it actually stays on your skin instead of dripping down your neck
No stinging
Zero burn even on my reactive cheeks. Weirdly soothing for an acid.
Absorbs in 90 seconds
No sticky wait. You can follow with moisturizer almost immediately.
Photo: Natasha Kendall / Unsplash
Glycolic acid is the star — it’s the smallest AHA molecule so it penetrates deeper than lactic or mandelic. But they also snuck in panthenol and allantoin so your barrier doesn’t hate you.
- Glycolic Acid (8%): Loosens dead skin cells so they actually fall off
- Panthenol: Calms the irritation glycolic wants to cause
- Allantoin: Softens texture — makes your skin feel like a steamed bun
- Sodium Hyaluronate: Counteracts the drying effect of acids
Photo: Chalo Garcia / Unsplash
Feels like aloe gel but slicker. Sinks in fast — no tacky film. I put it on and my face felt… quiet. Not tight, not greasy. Just calm.
Week 3 hit and I noticed my nose pores looked smaller. Not gone, but less like craters. The surprise? No purging. I was ready for pizza face and got nothing.
Photo: Element5 Digital / Unsplash
My forehead texture went from “sandpaper” to “smooth paper” in 4 weeks. But my chin flakes? Still there. This isn’t magic for dry patches — it’s a texture smoother, not a hydrator.
Photo: Linh Ha / Unsplash
Use it at night, SPF in the morning, and you’ll see smoother skin without the angry reaction. It’s boringly effective — and that’s the highest compliment I can give.