Medicube Red Acne Succinic Acid Peel – Treating Pores in Just One Minute??

Medicube has some of the most diverse range of skincare products of any brand and we love testing out all their products to see which are the hits (and misses). Their acne range is thoughtfully crafted and contains a variety of novel botanical extracts to help smooth pores, reduce irritation and refresh the skin so you can achieve glassy, blemish-free perfection. As someone who has an acne outbreak if the wind so much as changes, having tools in my pocket to help relieve and refresh the skin is vital – and one of my favourites is a classic AHA/BHA face peel. 

Yes, although AHA/BHA has a great variety of benefits, the most improvement is quickly seen in acne-prone skin or those struggling with blackheads. They are also classically used just to help clear the top layer of skin, from debris, impurities and dead skin cells. It helps improve skin hydration (clearing flaking skin) as well as improving skin texture overall. 

Succinic acid, on the other hand, is an gentle peeling acid that is actually soothing to the skin, reduces overall redness and acts as an anti-bacterial agent (reducing the cause of active outbreaks). It creates a peel that is more gentle to the skin, whilst helping to target acne.  

It's a great addition for acne-prone skin, but can it make a difference in just 1 minute? Can this formula really improve acne spots and clear inflammation in just 60 seconds of daily use? Let's see the real results.

Lactic Acid: gentle exfoliating AHA that helps break away dead skin cells from skin and improve skin texture and improves natural hydration. 

Succinic Acid: gentle acid that helps reduce acne spots and boost skin health, whilst improving sebum control and reducing acne-causing bacteria on the skin surface. 

Japanese Goldthread extract: soothing floral extract that helps provide protective antioxidants and improve fat regeneration in skin to improve fine lines and hollows. 

Salicylic Acid: exfoliating acid that helps clear pores deeply, refreshing blackheads and whiteheads and helping reduce pore size, whilst helping prevent future outbreaks. Balancing for oily skin types. 

Blackcurrant extract: rich in vitamin E and hydrating acids, can help soften and smooth skin texture (preventing irritation and dryness). 

Pomegranate extract: antioxidant-rich extract that helps protect cells from environmental damage, stimulate collagen production and boost and firm skin. 

Panthenol: hydrating vitamin B5 that helps reduce skin irritation and redness and providing softer, smoother skin texture. 

Allantoin: healing molecule that helps improve skin healing, reduces redness and irritation and helps stimulate gentle exfoliation for firmer, glowing skin. 

Glycolic Acid: exfoliating AHA that helps shed dead skin cells, reduce hyperpigmentation and helps stimulate collagen production of new skin cells for plump and firmer skin texture. 

Cynachum Atratum root extract: a climbing plant root that is popular in traditional medicine and helps soothe inflammation, clear flaking and skin swelling and provides a deep remedy to inflamed skin. 

With typical aid peels, I would consider avoiding in sensitive and dry skin types (as they are designed for deep action). This peel, however, is enriched with a variety of sensitive-skin ingredients and is gentle when applied. It is safe for use in fine lines, hyperpigmentation, oily skin types and especially to treat acne-prone skin and blackheads.

It does contain fragrance, however, so definitely avoid if you are sensitive to artificial fragrances.

In typically acid peels, I don't really use them more than once weekly (or even really once a fortnight). They are a deep set treatment that is designed to refresh the external surface of your skin and I use them after an outbreak as a kind of reset button (for when the surface is incredibly irritated).

This kind of peel, however, is far more gentle and soothing than your once-in-a-while treatment. I started using it as part of my cleansing PM routine. As my skin is used to harsher exfoliating acids, I think my expectations of irritation are set rather high.

This peel feels incredibly gentle in comparison. I added about one applicator full to my face and massaged it into my pores using circular motions. Then rinsed thoroughly once the 1 minute time was up.

Unlike other exfoliating treatments, I didn't feel skin ‘rolling off’, but instead I was surprised at how hydrating it was. 

After two weeks of use, there was a good improvement to my outbreak - which was surprisingly fast. The serum was really gentle, but was still providing deep pore care, improving texture (as well as providing lasting hydration).

It's a great balance of moisture along with pore care, which is missing from old-school acid peels. If you are not a fan of that burning, irritating skin sensation, there was none of that with this peel. It provides rich skin healing, without any of the stinging. I would recommend starting low-and-slow with any peeling serum, but overall, this is a really gentle skin treatment for pore care.

This serum peel is a really gentle way to improve pore texture and help treat acne spots and I would really recommend it in a variety of skin types. If you are completely new to AHA/BHA, I would recommend starting with a gentle AHA/BHA foam cleanser, but if you are looking for a little upgrade to oil balance and spot care, this is a really good addition to your routine.

Want to explore the brand new range of Medicube products, shipped fresh from South Korea? Check out the entire range, now available on Arktastic.

Want more tips to upgrade your skincare routine? Check out our top pics for products to improve acne, or check out our review on the refreshing Dr Althea Salicylic Acid pads for the ultimate BHA action.

Is AHA/BHA peel good for acne-prone skin? 

Yes, chemical exfoliants like AHA and BHA work well for acne-prone skin because they dissolve the top layer of dead skin cells and clear out congested pores.

Who should avoid using the Medicube Red Acne Succinic Acid Peel? 

Those with extremely sensitive skin or active eczema/dermatitis flare-ups on their face should avoid using this peel, as well as anyone who is sensitive to artificial fragrances.

What are the main key ingredients in this peel? 

It features Lactic Acid, Succinic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid, and Niacinamide to gently exfoliate, reduce acne-causing bacteria, and calm inflammation.

How do you apply the Medicube Succinic Acid Peel?

 Massage 1–2 drops onto clean, dry skin in circular motions for up to one minute, then thoroughly wash it off with water before applying a hydrating moisturizer.