Solution Exfoliating Skin Perfector

For those in the know, the most effective way to exfoliate skin is with a leave-on, acid-spiked exfoliant that goes beyond just surface smoothing. Glossier now offers this with their Solution Exfoliating Skin Perfector, a product that gets some aspects right, but also makes significant missteps.

Packaged in a bottle featuring Glossier's signature soft pink color, the bottle's top has a built-in, push-down dispenser that's easy to use. The water-light liquid smooths easily across the face, drying down to a non-sticky finish. Products applied afterward should layer without a hitch.

Aesthetics aside, the ingredients are what matter most here. This contains AHA exfoliants, along with salicylic acid (BHA), and gluconolactone (a polyhydroxy acid, or PHA). When the pH range is right, as it is here, these acids serve to help skin shed dead, dulling cells, resulting in a brighter, more even-toned appearance plus fewer clogged pores.

In addition to the acids, a couple of skin-replenishing ingredients are also in the mix. So why doesn't this rate higher?

First, Glossier claims this product can help clear acne. While salicylic acid is a superstar in helping fight acne, it's only in a 0.5% concentration here, meaning it's unlikely to have a significant impact. For acne, 1% to 2% salicylic acid is preferred, with AHAs being an option but not considered as effective for breakouts as BHA.

Also of concern: This contains an unusually high amount of sodium hydroxide, an ingredient used in products like this to establish and hold a tight pH range. We're concerned that using sodium hydroxide in a concentration this high—it's second only to water—means this exfoliant poses a greater risk of causing a sensitized reaction.

It doesn't get much better: Glossier also included fragrance, and fragrance isn't skincare. The smell is slightly herbal and not unpleasant, but it has no benefit for skin whatsoever, and can cause irritation.

Solution also contains a small amount of acetic acid (the acidic component of vinegar), which is also sensitizing and unnecessary to the performance of the more helpful AHAs and BHA this formula contains. In the end, this exfoliant's mix of benefits and concerns keeps us on the fence about recommending it as strongly as we have other products from Glossier.