Product Review: REN Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask

Spots! Yep, those bright red pests that crop up at the worst times and in the most noticeable places. Formerly known to tote a small jar of concealer everywhere I went, I’ve ditched the cover-up act for a product that really gets to the source of the problem, REN Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask. The light orange gel appears harmless as can be, but as the girl who suffered a red, itchy nightmare after braving a frou-frou chocolate mask, I’m wary to try anything new. Braving the word “potent” on the label I prepped for the home peel with a deep cleanse and scrub. The enzyme-packed gel is almost odorless and one pump easily spread over my entire face. I let the light formula sit for about 10 minutes and halfway through I began to feel a slight warm tingle. Completely painless, I was able to leave the peel on for the full 10 minutes but could definitely feel the formula working. After time was up, I rinsed with warm water and followed with my regular moisturizer. After the first use my skin looked bright and healthy. The scars on my chin from spot picking were less noticeable and flaky dryness was nowhere to be found. Less invasive than a professional peel, I didn’t experience any redness or irritation but all traces of dullness were gone and my face felt squeaky clean. Directions call for once-weekly use and I’ve been keeping up with the recommended schedule for almost two months. Every week I use the Glycolactic Peel Mask and have seen dramatic changes in my skin. Spots and breakouts are few and far between and my complexion looks and feels a whole lot healthier. I’ve also been using REN before self-tanning sessions to get rid of dry patches. The peel makes the tanner go on more smoothly and doesn’t stain or blotch in parched areas. Plus, after a few uses the “working” tingle completely went away and now when I use the product it feels like I have a layer of lotion sitting of my skin. Even though the product does a bang-up buffing job, it’s amazingly free of harsh chemicals. Perfect for sensitive skin, powerful fruit enzymes and acids remove fine lines and dead skin without parabens, sulfates and synthetic fragrances. A little on the pricey side, the results are well worth the splurge and after a few months, I’ve still got half the bottle left. Hands down, this is one of the most effective skincare products I’ve tried and has become a key player in keeping spots at bay. Get the REN Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask for $55 at sephora.com.