June 15, 2010

Philosophy The Microdelivery Purifying Peel Review

I’ve never gotten an actual facial peel but I still remember to this very day the episode of Sex and the City when Samantha had gotten one.

Now Samantha was trying to de-age her skin a fair bit so I’m guessing she was looking to diminish fine lines, brighten her skin tone up, and perhaps fight dull, tried skin or uneven skin tone. These would be many of the reasons you’d consider a facial peel.

However, from what I’ve read, facial peels are pretty darn harsh on the skin causing all sorts of irritation and redness because essentially it’s peeling away one layer to reveal a fresher layer beneath.

But my skin isn’t an onion…I don’t have layers you can peel away at will. I like my layers thanks so much and I’m not out to remove any of them…maybe polish them up a bit, maybe exfoliate them, but literally burn them off using chemicals? No thanks!

Philosophy The Microdelivery Purifying Peel is Philosophy’s cure to a gentle at home facial peel.

Does it work?

Maybe!

Jump!


A one-minute purifying enzyme peel helps keep your skin glowing, smooth, and gorgeous. The unique formula contains lactic and salicylic acids combined with natural enzymes and a fruit acid complex to deeply exfoliate the skin. It also inspires a faster rate of cell turnover to help improve skin’s firmness. Multiple antioxidants help replenish and protect the skin.


At first glance on QVC, I assumed that this was a typical Asian style peel for some reason. If you’re familiar with these types of peels you’ll know you massage on and watch as the product “pills” off in little balls.

I was wrong.

It’s a thin runny gel which you apply on a freshly cleansed, dry face. I assumed I’d be massaging on, rubbing in, etc…nope, simply smooth on face and wait for 1 to 3 minutes and rinse. No pilling, no rubbing, no massaging. The product basically works itself without any outside aid.

What’s it do?

Well…

It acts as typical spa treatment style facial peel. It warms up on your face at first, stings a little bit (at least I experienced stinging), and proceeds, for lack of a better word, to eat away dead skin, flaking, etc…..The product is obviously filled with some interesting forms of acid as you can pretty much feel it working on your skin as you sit around and relax. I wouldn’t call it a facial mask since the results are longer term plus the actual product works a heck of alot different than any mask I’ve tried.

Now Philosophy says it’s gentle enough for everyday use and I must agree. I experienced no irritation after use, no tightness (I though I would consider salicylic acid makes my skin dry), and no break outs or ill effects.

The end result is smoother, brighter, glowing skin. The first few minutes after you’ve rinsed the mask off your skin will sport a blush or a redness but it quickly goes away and you’re just left with fresher skin.


I do urge sensitive skin types to be aware prior to use. Philosophy says this is quite gentle and great for daily use but even on my bulletproof, hard as nails skin I felt a warming and stinging during use which could prove a bit much for anyone with sensitive skin. A patch test might be a good idea before going full on with this!

  • Anyone who wants to perform a quick and simple at home facial peel!
  • Anyone who wants to take dull skin to glowing skin in 1 to 3 minutes.
  • Anyone who wants a gentle enough peel that they can use daily to make skin glow.

  • Sensitive skin types might find it a bit much!
  • Anyone unwilling to dish out $40 bucks on skincare.


I had a very successful run with Philosophy The Microdelivery Purifying Peel and feel like it may become a staple for me. The results aren’t completely long term but after a single use you’ll see visible results that will last for several days and particularly the day after use. I’m quite looking forward to seeing how my drier winter skin reacts to this because at the moment my combo skin loves it. Flaking between my brows is gone and my skin looks brighter and fresher after use. It’s rather nice if you have extra time in the AM to use prior to your normal skincare and makeup regime as it’ll get skin glowing in as little as a minute.

Nice stuff.

Muse Approved for purchase!

Likey!

Anyone try it?

Share it!

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • domncroxd

    Hi Muse, great entry! Wish that the Philosophy range is sold where I’m at. I wanted to ask you about the Asian style of peeling – I’m living in Asia and most of our facial mask peels work by letting them dry on the face before peeling off the mask, instead of rubbing it immediately and pilling. Where did you hear that from?

  • Heather / Eyeconic

    I’d love to try this, but $40 is waaay too much. If it ever goes on sale I’d deff grab it

  • kat

    I love it when I find a Muse Approved Product! Can you do another linky to them so its easier to find your favorites?

    • the Muse

      hi kat. aw so glad you enjoy the Muse Approved posts. Yes, I’ll see what I can do. I’ve been relabeling reviews and such for a while so that’s in the works 🙂

  • Melissa

    Thanks a million for this review! or thanks a minute? I lemming-ed it, I put it in my cart, I took it out. I have the oxygen peel which I like but its pricey and tricky. I decided to buy it. I anxiously await my new product. I have been very please with other new Phil releases so I think I will like it. TY again.

    • the Muse

      my pleasure melissa. I’m going to try out exfolikate next wanna see how the two compare 🙂

      • Melissa

        I haven’t had good luck with Kate anything so I’ll be curious to hear your thoughts.

  • Kaylynrenee

    Thanks for reviewing! I’m looking forward to trying it! How do you think this would work in with the use of my Clarisonic (which I use 2 or 3 times per week)? My skin is not sensitive.

    • the Muse

      hi kaylyn…you want to use it with the clarisonic? Confused 🙂 as in place it on the brush and use?

      • Kaylynrenee

        No ma’am… I mean use it in conjunction with my Clarisonic. As in, should I use it before I use my Clarisonic? After? Different days? Or would it be too much altogether to use them both?

        • the Muse

          ah I got confused kay! LOL. Depending on your skin type I wouldn’t use clarisonic before or after this. I normally use my clarisonic in the AM in my shower and in the evening I use the peel. If you use the brush before or after your peel you may feel a tad tender plus red/irritated as the peel stings a little bit and using the brush after may irritate that and using it before may also cause same prob.

          Hope this makes sense 🙂

          I’m not sensitive at all but I think using the clarisonic before or after the peel would prob irritate me a bit.

          • Kaylynrenee

            Thanks!! Just what I needed to know! Now… All I need is this at my Nordstrom. I really hate paying for shipping! Lol.

          • the Muse

            kay I hear you! me too! freaking shipping kills particularly at QVC!

  • dina

    nice!! thanks for the review 🙂 i’ve seen alot of good reviews online for this but was still on the fence b/c of the high-ish price. looks good . ..

    • the Muse

      hey d I wanna try exfolikate and than go from there on the price…as it’s $65 versus $40 for philosophy so curious which is better. how are you hun? long time no speak 🙂

  • dina

    i know! i went to SF the end of last wk and catching up on your posts sunday night. also very curious about exfolikate. did you see the kate somerville sale @ gilt? ck it, good prices but not the regular exfolikate, just gentle, body & intensive. hope you’re having a good week! 🙂

    • the Muse

      hey d! omg I wanna go to SF :_D have fun!? I did indeed but the $122 was a little too much for a first try for me 😀 but tempted…but I did do damage with the LM gilt sale omg.

      You too sweets!

  • Renata

    Hi, Muse!

    I like kat’s idea, this kind of tag would be really nice, like ‘approved’ and ‘favorite’.

    Have you tried the 2 steps Microdelivery Peel? It’s amazing!

    I’ve tried a sample and I need to get a full size ASAP! Please try this!

    😉