You’ve seen the TikTok — that vampy, blood-red peel sloughing off dead skin like a horror movie prop. The formula just got a facelift, and I had to see if the hype survived the lab.
The old version was a sticky, fragrant mess that worked. The new one? It’s a completely different beast — and honestly, it’s better. But not for the reasons you think.
It’s a two-step exfoliating system from Skin1004. The first bottle is a peeling serum that balls up dead skin; the second is a soothing ampoule to calm down after. Retails around $25.
The Peel Serum
It’s like rubber cement for your face — dries down then pills up, dragging all the gunk with it.
The Finisher
A watery, milky ampoule that sinks in fast. No greasy film.
The Reformulation
They swapped out the old alcohol-heavy base for a gentler PHA blend. Your nose won’t burn anymore.
Photo: Poko Skincare / Unsplash
The old formula relied on harsh physical scrubbing. This one uses chemical exfoliants to break the bonds between dead cells, so you don’t have to rub your face raw. It’s smarter, but slower.
- PHA: Gently dissolves dead skin without micro-tears
- Niacinamide: Brightens the post-peel redness fast
- Panthenol: The reason your face doesn’t feel like sandpaper after
- Hyaluronic Acid: Pumps water back in so you don’t look parched
Photo: Fleur Kaan / Unsplash
First touch: it’s a slippery, watery gel that dries in 90 seconds. You feel a slight tightness — not painful, just weird. Then you roll it off and your face feels like a baby’s ass that’s been dipped in silk.
By week two, the real surprise: my makeup stopped clinging to dry patches. I didn’t need a heavy moisturizer under foundation anymore. That’s a first for me.
Photo: Aleksandrs Karevs / Unsplash
My texture is smoother — those little bumps on my forehead are gone. Dark spots? Still there, but lighter. It didn’t cure my acne, but it made my skin look less tired.
The reformulation made it less dramatic but more effective. It’s no longer a party trick — it’s a legit skincare tool. That’s a win in my book.