Glow Peel Pads
What it's good for
Key actives from our research database. Click any to read the full evidence dossier.
A naturally-occurring antioxidant your skin loses as you age. Topical CoQ10 restores some of what time depletes, supporting energy production in skin cells and softening wrinkle depth.
Good for: Antioxidant, Anti-aging
A workhorse hydrator that pulls water into your skin. In nearly every good moisturizer for a reason.
Good for: Hydrating
Exfoliates the surface of your skin to smooth rough texture and fade dullness. The strongest of the AHAs, so start slow.
Good for: Exfoliating
A lightweight oil that mimics what your skin already makes. Softens and seals in hydration without feeling greasy.
Good for: Barrier repair, Hydrating
A botanical astringent backed by real anti-inflammatory evidence. Extracts genuinely calm acne-related inflammation by blocking the same NF-κB pathway that redness-causing cytokines depend on. Honest caveat: most shelf-ready witch hazel toners are distilled water with trace tannin; look for "Hamamelis virginiana extract" rather than "hamamelis water" on the label if you want the active fraction.
Good for: Anti-inflammatory, Anti-acne
Evidence behind the ingredients
Real citations from our research database, one per tracked active in this product. Click any ingredient name to read its full evidence dossier.
A naturally-occurring antioxidant your skin loses as you age. Topical CoQ10 restores some of what time depletes, supporting energy production in skin cells and softening wrinkle depth.
Li S et al., Ginsenoside Nanoliposomes Deliver Ergothioneine and Coenzyme Q10 to Address Skin Aging via Mitochondrial Mechanisms, Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces 2026
Lain ET, Agrawal N, Ruvolo E, Weise JM, Callender VD, The Role of Coenzyme Q10 in Skin Aging and Opportunities for Topical Intervention: A Review, Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology 2024;17(8):42-47
Ayunin Q, Miatmoko A, Soeratri W, Erawati T, Susanto J, Legowo D, Improving the anti-ageing activity of coenzyme Q10 through protransfersome-loaded emulgel, Scientific Reports 2022;12(1):906 — topical CoQ10 protransfersomal emulgel increased collagen density and fibroblast count in UV-aged mouse skin
A workhorse hydrator that pulls water into your skin. In nearly every good moisturizer for a reason.
Danby SG et al., Different types of emollient cream exhibit diverse physiological effects on the skin barrier in adults with atopic dermatitis, Clinical and Experimental Dermatology 2022;47(6):1154-1164 — glycerol+urea emollient delivered superior barrier-strengthening and irritant protection
Youssef R et al., Glycerol 85% efficacy on atopic skin and its microbiome: a randomized controlled trial, Journal of Dermatological Treatment 2021;32(7):730-736 — topical glycerol 85% RCT on atopic skin
Evans NJ et al., Human axillary skin condition is improved following incorporation of glycerol into the stratum corneum from an antiperspirant formulation, Archives of Dermatological Research 2017;309(9):739-748 — 4% glycerol penetrated axillary SC, reduced irritation, improved hydration
Exfoliates the surface of your skin to smooth rough texture and fade dullness. The strongest of the AHAs, so start slow.
Liu H et al., Topical agents for acne (covers AHA / fruit-acid arm), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2020;5:CD011368 — conclusion: clinical benefit is unclear
Sarkar R et al., Comparative Evaluation of Efficacy and Tolerability of Glycolic Acid, Salicylic-Mandelic Acid, and Phytic Acid Combination Peels in Melasma, Dermatologic Surgery 2016;42(3):384-391 — 35% glycolic acid and salicylic-mandelic peels equally effective and safe for melasma in Indian skin
Kubiak M et al., Evaluation of 70% glycolic peels versus 15% trichloroacetic peels for the treatment of photodamaged facial skin in aging women, Dermatologic Surgery 2014;40(8):883-891 — both peels improved photodamaged skin; glycolic acid showed faster hydration recovery
+−2 more ingredients
A lightweight oil that mimics what your skin already makes. Softens and seals in hydration without feeling greasy.
Wolosik K et al., Squalane as a Promising Agent Protecting UV-Induced Inhibition of Collagen Biosynthesis and Wound Healing in Human Dermal Fibroblast, Molecules 2025;30(9):1964 — low-dose squalane (0.005-0.015%) restored collagen biosynthesis and wound healing in UVA-exposed human dermal fibroblasts
Morgan AB et al., Explicating the multifunctional roles of tocotrienol and squalene in promoting skin health, Skin Health and Disease 2024;4(5):e448 — squalene/squalane promotes skin health via antioxidant, hydrating, emollient, anti-inflammatory mechanisms
Fiume M et al., Safety Assessment of Squalane and Squalene as Used in Cosmetics, International Journal of Toxicology 2023;42(3_suppl):107S-109S — CIR expert-panel assessment concluding squalane is safe as a cosmetic ingredient
A botanical astringent backed by real anti-inflammatory evidence. Extracts genuinely calm acne-related inflammation by blocking the same NF-κB pathway that redness-causing cytokines depend on. Honest caveat: most shelf-ready witch hazel toners are distilled water with trace tannin; look for "Hamamelis virginiana extract" rather than "hamamelis water" on the label if you want the active fraction.
Liu X, Hage TW, Chen LC, Wang EHC, Liao IC, Goldberg J, et al. Revealing the Therapeutic Potential: Investigating the Impact of a Novel Witch Hazel Formula on Anti-Inflammation and Antioxidation. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2025 Feb. — Clinical evaluation of a novel witch hazel formula demonstrating anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects on skin.
Wojciak M, Pacuła W, Sowa I, Feldo M, Graczyk F, Załuski D. Hamamelis virginiana L. in Skin Care: A Review of Its Pharmacological Properties and Cosmetological Applications. Molecules. 2025 Jun 26;30(13):2744. — Narrative review of pharmacological properties and skin care applications of Hamamelis virginiana.
Piazza S, Martinelli G, Vrhovsek U, Masuero D, Fumagalli M, Magnavacca A, et al. Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Acne Effects of Hamamelis virginiana Bark in Human Keratinocytes. Antioxidants. 2022;11(6):1119.
Sources: 10 clinical journals and regulatory databases across the US, EU, Korea, Japan, and China. Every entry points to a specific document. See methodology for the full list and what each outcome label means.
Layering conflicts
Ingredients in this product that can react with common actives. Avoid stacking unless noted.
- Retinolhigh
Retinol + glycolic acid is a classic barrier-buster. Use on different nights.
- Tretinoinhigh
Tretinoin + glycolic acid causes significant barrier disruption. Never layer.
- Adapalenemedium
Adapalene + glycolic acid can over-exfoliate. Alternate nights.
- Salicylic Acidmedium
AHA + BHA stacking risks over-exfoliation. Use a pre-formulated AHA/BHA product or alternate days.
Similar comparisons
Not medical advice. GlowPal is educational. Patch-test new products and talk to a qualified healthcare professional before changing your routine, especially if you're pregnant, nursing, or have a diagnosed skin condition. See our terms.