Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Peel Pads.

Masks & Peels

About this product

Exfoliating peel pads combining 20% glycolic acid and 1.5% microencapsulated retinol to resurface skin, reduce fine lines, and improve texture and tone.

Full ingredients

Water/Aqua/Eau, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Butylene Glycol, Retinol, Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Niacinamide, Adenosine, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Phosphate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol

Guru Score

83%

Yay

Early verdict · Few reviews so far

What the gurus are saying

These pads deliver a noticeable exfoliating kick from their dual glycolic acid and retinol blend, making them effective for refining texture, fading fine lines and hyperpigmentation, and brightening dull skin. The microencapsulated retinol keeps irritation mild while boosting cell turnover, and the pads are genuinely convenient, one product replaces two. They do have a little bite to them, so anyone with sensitive skin may want to start with just one night a week on completely dry skin, and they often go on sale, which makes the price more manageable.

Synthesized from 2 expert reviews · most recent take June 2025

What they liked

Dual-action glycolic and retinol in one pad
Noticeably refines texture and reduces fine lines
Encapsulated retinol minimizes irritation

What they flagged

Strong enough to sting, not for sensitive skin
Needs a moisturiser on top

Best for

Mature skin

Type

Masks & PeelsWipes & pads

Key actives

Retinoid Niacinamide Hyaluronic acidAHA

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeContains drying alcohol

Where to buy

Sephora → Ulta → Amazon → Google →

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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.

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Dr. Aleksandra Brown

151k subs

✓Yay

"The Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Peel Pads are so easy to use. It's a glycolic acid in a peel pad. They're a little spicy, so if you have super sensitive skin, maybe don't start here. But I would start exfoliating one night a week. So if you've washed your face, let it dry completely. Don't do this on damp skin. Take a pad, wipe your face, moisturize on top, and go to bed. The exfoliating acids will help reduce the appearance of fine lines."

All 3 takes from Dr. Aleksandra Brown

Dermatologist Picks: What to Buy (and Skip) at the Sephora Sale | Skincare, Haircare & Makeup Guide

"Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Peel Pads have a little kick to them. They exfoliate and refine skin texture that will help improve fine lines, hyperpigmentation, and dullness. It's a perfect blend of glycolic acid and retinol to increase that cell renewal. The key ingredients are the glycolic acid and of course the retinol."

Dermatologist's Winter Skincare Routine: AM & PM Steps for Healthy Skin | Dr. Aleksandra Brown

"Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Peel Pads is my lazy girl night if I want retinol and glycolic acid all in one. The retinol in here is not as strong as my tretinoin but it gives me two products in one so it's really easy to apply. This dual action peel pads combining glycolic acid and retinol targets texture, tone, and clarity. It helps exfoliate dead skin cells while promoting collagen production and skin renewal."

My Skincare Routine as a Perimenopausal Dermatologist in Her 40s | Step-by-Step Guide

The Budget Dermatologist

724k subs

✓Yay

"Another option is in the form of a peel pad by Peter Thomas Roth. It's the Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Pads. They have 20 percent glycolic acid and 1.5 percent microencapsulated retinol. The budget hack for you is that you can almost always shop these on sale, and that is when I make sure to get my pricey skincare items. You can usually get these at least 20 percent off if you do a little digging."

What the evidence says.

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

Retinoids

Retinoids are among the best studied ingredients in dermatology, with solid evidence for acne and for the fine lines and rough texture that come from sun exposure. Dryness and flaking in the first few weeks are common and usually settle.

Source: DermNet

Niacinamide

Niacinamide has evidence behind it for redness, uneven tone and supporting the skin barrier, and it is usually well tolerated even by skin that reacts to most things.

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

Frequently asked.

What is Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Peel Pads?

Exfoliating peel pads combining 20% glycolic acid and 1.5% microencapsulated retinol to resurface skin, reduce fine lines, and improve texture and tone.

Is Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Peel 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 Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Peel Pads's Guru Score?

Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Peel 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.

Who is Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Peel Pads best for?

Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Peel Pads is generally suited to mature skin.