Secret Key Lemon Sparkling Peeling Pad Review

Hi, guys!

Ever since I've discovered AB skincare, I've been reading up a lot about AHAs/BHAs. This is my first foray into the land of actives and gotta get some knowledge, you know, because this stuff is not to be taken lightly. I'm thinking of getting something relatively mild and the CosRX One Step Pimple Pad first came to mind. However, I put a rain check on that because something conveniently came my way!

This Secret Key Lemon Sparkling Peeling Pad came as part of my Althea Pore Care box! I was so happy. Read more to see how this worked out for me.

About the Product

What: Secret Key Lemon Sparkling Peeling Pad, 70 pads, 125 ml
Price: 10.90 USD at Secret Key's website.
I got this inside my Althea Pore Care box.

Product Description:
"One Step peeling and exfoliating pad with Betaine Salicylate (Salicylic Acid) & Lemon extract that gently remove dead skin cells without irritation and promote visibly clear, smoother, and brighter skin. May use for fixing make up."

How to Use:
1. After cleansing, wipe gently outwards using the embossed side of pad over the dry face and neck.
2. For best results, re-wipe with smooth side of pad.
3. After using peeling pad, follow with basic skin care items. Use two times per week or as necessary.

Lemon Sparkling Peeling Pad Ingredients:
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Betaine Salicylate, 1,2-Hexanediol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract (300 ppm), Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Panthenol, Allantoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Arginine, Fragrance (Parfum), Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Water (10 ppm), Carbonated Water (10 ppm), Sodium Hydroxide

Ingredient Analysis from CosDNA

I entered the ingredients on CosDNA. Butylene Glycol can be a potential acne irritant. Castor oil, fragrance, and sodium hydroxide are also minor irritants. The ingredients look fairly ok to me. Don't use this product if you are allergic to any of the ingredients or have sensitive skin.

That product description though. Secret Key claims this can smoothen skin "without irritation." Betaine Salicylate is still a BHA and even if it's mild, I'm gonna expect some sort of purging.

How the Product Looks Like

So yellow! Very lemony~

This product's packaging is a cheerful, bright yellow. Same with the box it came with.

click the pic to zoom in!

The box has the product description, directions how to use, ingredients and cautions in English. It is also written in Korean. This should be used within 12 months after opening.

click the pic to zoom in!

The peeling pads are inside this round plastic tub. The same info written on the box is also on the tub's body.

"Sealed for your protection"

You'll see this once you open the container. It's not really "sealed" to be honest. The cover is not glued to the edges but it stays in place. I think it is there mainly to keep the pads from drying out. Speaking of the pads, they came stacked like this:

no excess liquid

There are 70 pads inside soaked in 125 ml of liquid. There is no excess liquid at the bottom but the pads are sufficiently drenched. They smell like lemons. Here's a closer look:

see that texture?

Each one has an embossed side and a smooth side. The pads are made of cotton. It is soft and smooth but they're quite strong. It doesn't disintegrate even after rubbing it on my face and neck twice - the embossed side first and then the smooth side later.

So.... My Experience

I used the pads twice a week, as directed. I applied it on my face and neck after cleansing and toning.

I can't find a decent 'Before' photo but the pic below is taken late last year. As you can see, my cheek is reasonably smooth. There are hyperpigmentation marks on my right cheek (and cc bumps on my nose) but otherwise, my skin is quite okay.

I'm using a sleeping pack in this photo. xD

During the time I added this to my routine, I have no active pimples but I have lots of closed comedones on my nose and forehead. My skin was rough and uneven in texture from past pimples.

After about a month of usage, I didn't get any breakouts. Unfortunately, there is also no visible effects whatsoever (lol) so I planned to increase my frequency of use. I decided to use this daily. Of course, my skin protested.

purging or breakout?

This is after three days in. OMG, right? Needless to say, I scrapped my daily plan. 😂

Again, since this is a BHA product, I expected some purging. I don't think this is a breakout since I was fine the month before. The place where the pimples sprouted is also the same area where I used to get them in the past. I continued using the peeling pad but I limited my usage to only twice a week. The area is currently healing.

Will update once more after I finish the whole container but that will be like 2131122321 years later. Just ask me if you want an update. 😂😂😂

Will I repurchase?

This is my first peeling pad so I can't really compare it to similar products, but probably not. I was excited about the BHA in this but since I only use this twice a week, the whole smoothening process will obviously take a lot longer. I expected the purging so I'm not bitter about that, but if I find a better product, I will not look back.

If you want to get an AHA/BHA product, it's better to get it in a toner/essence form. I'm thinking of getting one from CosRX/Benton the next time.

Have you tried this peeling pad from Secret Key or any BHA/AHA before? What is your experience? Let me know!

Check out Secret Key!
Website: http://www.secretkeyen.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ilovesecretkey
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secretkey_global/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/secretkeyTV
Naver: http://blog.naver.com/secretkey0

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Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. I bought the item with my own money and the review is based on my own experience. What works for me may not work for you and vice versa.