Max Complexion Correction Pads.

About this product

Double-sided exfoliating pads with 10% glycolic acid and 2% salicylic acid, designed to help with acne, aging, and skin texture. Comes with 60 pads per container.

Full ingredients

Salicylic Acid (2%), Alcohol Denat, Allantoin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Amyl Cinnamal, Arginine, Benzoic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Butylparaben, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Citric Acid, Citronellol, Ethylparaben, Fragrance/Parfum, Geraniol, Glycolic Acid, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, Isobutylparaben, Limonene, Linalool, Methylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Propylparaben, Prunus Persica (Peach) Fruit Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Symphytum Officinale Root Extract, Triethanolamine, Water/Aqua/Eau

Guru Score

83%

Yay

Early verdict · Few reviews so far

2Gurus

2Yay

0Mixed

0Nay

What the gurus are saying

These pads pack both the maximum over-the-counter strength salicylic acid and a high dose of glycolic acid in one product, which dermatologists praise for tackling acne while brightening and fading dark spots. The double-sided design (soft and textured) lets people choose their exfoliation intensity, and the 60-pad count is generous compared to similar options. However, the real caveat is that people often overuse them, dermatologists emphasize using them just a couple of times a week, never twice daily as the label suggests, and taking breaks when using retinoids, because aggressive use can damage your skin barrier.

Synthesized from 2 expert reviews · most recent take July 2023

Best for

Oily skin Acne-prone skin

Type

Wipes & pads

Key actives

Salicylic acid (BHA)AHA

Formula notes

Contains fragranceContains drying alcohol

Where to buy

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What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Yay takes Nay takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored

Tea with MD

112k subs

✓Yay

"The Peter Thomas Roth Max Complexion Correction Pads are a combination of acids, two percent salicylic acid, which is a beta hydroxy acid, and ten percent glycolic acid, which is an alpha hydroxy acid. It also comes with aloe and allantoin, which helps to calm irritation so it kind of counteracts the more irritating effects of the acids. Exfoliating peel pads are great. The ingredients look great. If you have very sensitive skin you want to be careful not to overuse acids because they might actually disrupt your skin barrier and cause more irritation."

The Budget Dermatologist

723k subs

✓Yay

"These have two percent salicylic acid and ten percent glycolic acid in this, so you can use this maybe once or twice a week on nights that you are taking off from your retinoid. I like these pads because there is a textured version and a smooth version, so you can really get a nice gentle peel to help break up the dead skin and make your skin glow."

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All 3 takes from The Budget Dermatologist

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"If acne truly is part of your focus in your skincare routine, I like to recommend the Peter Thomas Roth Max Complexion Correction Pads. These have ten percent glycolic acid and two percent salicylic acid, so this has the highest concentration of both of these key acids combined into one product. This pad is double sided with a soft side and a more textured side depending on your exfoliation needs. This comes with 60 pads compared to the L'Oreal option with only 30 pads, so the price difference ends up not being that far off."

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"This is going to be a great option for somebody who has acne or aging or just wants a good anti-aging product or a nice exfoliating product in their routine to help restore the glow of their skin. What makes this product great is that it has two types of topical acid, it has two percent salicylic acid which is the maximum strength salicylic acid for over-the-counter products and it has 10 percent glycolic acid. The salicylic acid component is going to be great for acne and the glycolic acid component is going to be great for brightening the skin, reversing signs of aging, can help fade away dark spots. This actually has 60 pads in it. These pads are double-sided so there is one soft side and then kind of a textured side. The soft side is really good for cleansing the skin and then you want to flip it over and you can use the textured side to help give a little bit more of that exfoliation. But please be careful because some people can really quickly overdo it and that can actually wreck your skin barrier. Use these carefully and gently on your skin. You can see on the label that it says you can use these up to twice a day, please don't use these twice a day. You probably only need these a couple times a week in your routine. Use it cautiously in your routine, take a night off from your retinoid or retinol product at night a few times a week and use this to kind of just switch things up."

What the evidence says.

Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

Salicylic acid

Salicylic acid dissolves in oil, so it can get into a pore rather than just working on the surface. That is why it has long-standing evidence for blackheads and milder acne.

Source: DermNet

Alpha hydroxy acids

Alpha hydroxy acids loosen the bonds holding dead cells at the surface. The evidence supports smoother texture and more even tone over time, and they can leave skin more sensitive to sun.

Source: NIH, National Library of Medicine

Humectants and emollients

Ingredients like these draw water into the surface layers and slow how fast it leaves. The evidence is for comfort, softness and hydration rather than for changing the structure of the skin.

Source: DermNet

Frequently asked.

What is Peter Thomas Roth Max Complexion Correction Pads?

Double-sided exfoliating pads with 10% glycolic acid and 2% salicylic acid, designed to help with acne, aging, and skin texture. Comes with 60 pads per container.

Is Peter Thomas Roth Max Complexion Correction Pads worth it?

Yes. All 2 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 83%.

What is Peter Thomas Roth Max Complexion Correction Pads's Guru Score?

Peter Thomas Roth Max Complexion Correction Pads holds a Guru Score of 83%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 2 expert reviewers we have collected.