Quick Verdict

Choose Enzymatic Micro Peel if your skin is sensitive, reactive, or easily stripped, since it performs a gentle micro-exfoliation that leaves skin soft, smooth, and calm. Choose AHA + BHA Clearing Serum if your main concern is congestion, visible breakouts, or enlarged pores, because its triple-acid complex is clinically proven to visibly reduce breakouts in 4 weeks. If you need both, use the peel when skin feels dull or dry and the serum when breakouts flare, but avoid layering them on the same night.

How the Two Exfoliants Work Differently

Enzymatic Micro Peel is an at-home treatment that performs a micro-exfoliation to lightly recondition skin while stimulating cell turnover, rebooting radiance and brightening without the sting often associated with acids. It is applied as a smooth, even film to a clean face, including around the eyes, and neck, left for 5 to 15 minutes, then rinsed with warm water. AHA + BHA Clearing Serum takes a targeted chemical route: its triple-acid complex is non-comedogenic and clinically proven to visibly reduce the appearance of breakouts in just 4 weeks, with Salicylic Acid penetrating pores to help refine them and improve overall clarity.

Timing, Frequency, and Sensation

The peel is a rinse-off treatment you reach for whenever skin looks dull or dry, making it easy to slot in on an as-needed basis rather than a fixed nightly step. The serum is a leave-on treatment designed for consistency, since the 4-week breakout reduction depends on regular use. If you are new to acids, start the serum slowly and build tolerance, and keep the peel as your recovery or radiance boost rather than using both on consecutive nights.

Layering With the Rest of Your Routine

Both exfoliants sit after cleansing and before moisturiser. Gentle Cleanser is a sensible first step for either option because its Green Tea and Goji Berry antioxidants help neutralise reactive molecules and free radicals while Cucumber Oil replenishes and soothes, so skin is not stripped before exfoliation. If you use Retinol Serum at night, do not pair it with either exfoliant on the same evening; alternate instead so your barrier has recovery nights.

Trade-Offs at a Glance

  • Gentleness vs. breakout targeting: Enzymatic Micro Peel leaves skin soft, smooth and calm with no acid sting, but it is not positioned as a 4-week breakout treatment. AHA + BHA Clearing Serum is clinically proven to visibly reduce breakouts in 4 weeks, yet acids can feel active on reactive skin. Sensitive first, congested second: pick the peel for calm, the serum for clarity.
  • Rinse-off vs. leave-on: The peel is applied for 5 to 15 minutes and rinsed, so it suits occasional dull or dry days. The serum stays on skin, which supports the consistent use its 4-week result depends on. If you prefer low-commitment treatments, the peel is easier to keep up with.
  • Where each fits around eyes and neck: Enzymatic Micro Peel can be applied as an even film including around the eyes and neck. AHA + BHA Clearing Serum is a targeted facial treatment for pores and breakouts, so keep it to the areas that need it. Use the peel for overall radiance, the serum for specific congested zones.

Key Product Facts

  • Enzymatic Micro Peel: Enzymatic Micro Peel performs a micro-exfoliation that lightly reconditions skin, leaving it soft, smooth and calm, while stimulating cell turnover to reboot radiance and brighten skin. Best when skin is sensitive, dull, or dry and you want brightness without a strong acid tingle.
  • AHA + BHA Clearing Serum: AHA + BHA Clearing Serum is a non-comedogenic triple-acid treatment clinically proven to visibly reduce the appearance of breakouts in just 4 weeks, with Salicylic Acid to penetrate pores and help refine them. Best when congestion, breakouts, or visible pores are the priority and you can commit to regular use.
  • Gentle Cleanser: Gentle Cleanser uses Green Tea and Goji Berry antioxidant extracts to help neutralise reactive molecules and free radicals, while Cucumber Oil replenishes, soothes and softens skin. A supportive first step before either exfoliant, especially if your skin reacts easily.
  • Retinol Serum: Retinol Serum uses Retinol to enhance SYN®-AKE peptide penetration, re-energising Collagen and Elastin production to smooth lines and wrinkles and improve firmness, while Plant Extracts and Olive Oil target breakouts, acne scarring and pigmentation. Useful context for scheduling: alternate retinol nights with exfoliation rather than stacking them.

Which One Should You Choose?

Best for

  • Sensitive or reactive skin that reddens or stings with acids
  • Anyone whose main concern is dullness, dryness, or uneven radiance rather than breakouts
  • People who want a rinse-off treatment they can use around the eyes and neck

Not for

  • Skin whose priority is visibly reducing breakouts and refining pores, where AHA + BHA Clearing Serum is the better match
  • Anyone wanting a leave-on step that fits a fixed nightly routine