Medicube Red Succinic Acid Peeling Pad for dry skin
Succinic Acid
Salicylic Acid
Glycolic Acid
Panthenol
NiacinamideAverage
- LowDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for dry skin; other products fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry skin: flakiness, tightness, dehydration, fine lines, and wrinkles. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers moderate exfoliation for your dry skin due to the presence of succinic acid, glycolic acid, and lactic acid, which can lead to excessive dryness and compromise the skin barrier.
- Hyaluronic acid and Centella Asiatica extract provide general hydration and soothing benefits, which are supportive but not specifically targeted for your dry or flaky skin concerns.
- The product is safe for your dry skin as it lacks prohibited or harsh ingredients that could cause irritation.
How to apply
- Use this exfoliant as part of your PM routine once a week, increasing slowly to twice a week if your dry skin tolerates it well. Always remember to apply SPF every morning to protect your newly smoothed skin.
- Apply the exfoliant after cleansing and toning, but always before your rich moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin and let it absorb for a minute. Avoid rubbing to prevent any irritation on flaky areas.
- Apply the product directly to dry clean skin to ensure the best possible tolerance for your dry type. This helps address flaky patches without causing extra stress.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area and do a quick patch test before your very first use. Do not mix this with other strong acids or retinoids on the same night.
People Say
★4.8Overall rating based on 100+ reviewsBased on limited data, users with acne-prone and sensitive skin frequently report significant improvements in skin texture and clarity, with many praising the pads for calming active breakouts and reducing redness without causing severe irritation. Most users find them gentle and hydrating, though a small minority experienced tingling or found the product too pricey for the quantity.
Highlights
Clears acne Often Mentioned
- “active breakouts look less inflamed”
- “blemishes fading”
- “pimple clearing”
- “reduced minor blemishes”
Soothes redness Often Mentioned
- “calming the skin”
- “soothe irritation”
- “redness noticeably improves”
- “calms down inflammation”
Gentle exfoliation Sometimes Noted
- “gentle and not irritating”
- “daily mild exfoliation”
- “no harsh effects”
- “suitable for sensitive skin”
Hydrating and light Sometimes Noted
- “finish isn't sticky”
- “lightweight texture”
- “keeps skin hydrated”
- “fresh light finish”
Improves texture Sometimes Noted
- “skin feels smoother”
- “refined skin texture”
- “soft instantly”
- “evened out complexion”
Expensive for quantity Sometimes Noted
- “price is a bit steep”
- “quite expensive”
- “wouldn't buy at full price”
- “wait for a sale”
Causes tingling Rarely Noted
- “slight tingling sensation”
- “stings a bit”
- “intense at first”
- “irritation on sensitive days”
Leaves residue Rarely Noted
- “oily residue left”
- “feels like it's sitting on top”
- “doesn't absorb well”
Not effective Rarely Noted
- “didn't feel much help”
- “broke me out”
- “temporary effects only”
Pad quality issues Rarely Noted
- “pads come apart”
- “wish there was more product”
- “pads are a tad small”
- “hard to keep in place”
Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, stylekorean.com, stylevana.com, medicube.us, yesstyle.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does medicube Red Succinic Acid Peeling Pad work for dry skin?
This exfoliant treatment works for your dry skin, though other products fit it better because its exfoliating acids may cause excessive dryness. It helps add moisture with Centella Asiatica extract and hyaluronic acid, but dry skin needs formulations rich in deeply hydrating ingredients like ceramides, peptides, or propolis along with barrier-supporting nutrients to stay soft and smooth.
Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for dry skin?
Hyaluronic acid and Centella Asiatica extract provide helpful hydration and calming benefits for dry skin. However, this type of product needs rich moisturizing ingredients like ceramides, peptides, or propolis to properly nourish dry skin and protect its barrier.
What does Succinic Acid do for dry skin?
Succinic acid helps protect skin cells from damage and keeps them healthy. It is unlikely to cause irritation and supports overall skin recovery.
What does Salicylic Acid do for dry skin?
Salicylic acid is generally not a good fit for dry skin, as it is meant to clear out pores and remove dead skin rather than hydrate. Because dry skin needs soothing and moisture rather than exfoliation, a product for dry skin needs nourishing ingredients like urea to lock in moisture and keep the skin soft.
Where does this exfoliant go in a skincare routine for dry skin?
Use this exfoliant once a week in the evening after cleansing and before your moisturizer. Dry skin needs a product of this type that also delivers rich soothing hydration and gentle nourishing ingredients to protect the skin barrier.
Can I use this exfoliant with retinol, and in what order?
Using this exfoliant with retinol may lead to excessive dryness and compromise your skin barrier, so it is best to use them on different nights or keep the exfoliant to your morning routine. This product works for dry skin, though other products fit it better; dry skin needs gentle, hydrating ingredients and nourishing barrier-repair components rather than strong acids.
How often should I use this exfoliant?
Start using this exfoliant just once a week in the evening, as dry skin needs gentle care to avoid extra dryness and irritation from acids. If your skin handles it well and feels comfortable, you may carefully use it a bit more often. To truly keep dry skin soft and smooth, an exfoliant of this type needs extra soothing and deeply moisturizing ingredients like ceramides, rich plant oils, and gentle hydrators.
Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?
This exfoliant is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for dry skin since it lacks heavy oils and includes soothing ingredients like Centella Asiatica extract that help keep your face calm. However, because it contains acids that remove dead skin, you might see some minor purging if your skin is not used to regular exfoliating.
Is this exfoliant fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Treatment with a facial cream gel containing a biotechnological phytocomplex, niacinamide, and succinic acid increased skin microbial diversity and reduced C. acnes abundance, lesion counts, sebum, and acne severity in 44 subjects with mild-moderate acne over 56 days.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Treatment with a lotion containing a phytocomplex, niacinamide, and succinic acid increased skin microbial alpha diversity, reduced Cutibacterium acnes relative abundance, and improved acne severity and clinical symptoms in 43 subjects with truncal mild-moderate acne.
Skin Research and Technology, 2024Treatment with plant-derived exosomes combined with non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid and succinic acid improved facial hyperpigmentation in two patients.
Cureus, 2026Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen achieved a higher cure rate (39%) than salicylic acid (24%) and a wait-and-see approach (16%) for cutaneous warts at 13 weeks in primary care patients.
CMAJ, 2010A moisturizer containing licochalcone A, 1,2-decanediol, L-carnitine, and salicylic acid significantly reduced noninflammatory, inflammatory, and total acne lesion counts compared to a vehicle control in Thai patients during a 12-week maintenance phase.
BioMed Research International, 2020Treatment with 2% supramolecular salicylic acid hydrogel resulted in a regression and markedly improvement rate of 51.01% compared to 43.10% for Adapaline gel in patients with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris, showing no significant difference in efficacy.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Repeated short-contact 70% glycolic acid peels provided superior results in atrophic acne scars compared to daily low-strength glycolic acid cream or placebo in 58 women over 24 weeks.
International Journal of Dermatology, 2000Serial glycolic acid peels combined with a modified Kligman formula significantly reduced facial PIH severity in Indian patients compared to the modified Kligman formula alone.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2017Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Topical dexpanthenol formulated in lipophilic vehicles improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in humans.
Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2000Topical post-laser application of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide significantly improved wrinkle index, melanin index, patient satisfaction, and investigator esthetic improvement scores compared to vehicle cream in patients with aging skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Topical nicotinamide prevented solar-simulated UV-induced immunosuppression in healthy volunteers, and men experienced immunosuppression at solar-simulated UV doses three times lower than those required for women.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008Topical 5% niacinamide applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness, and improved skin elasticity compared to vehicle control in 50 female white subjects with facial photoaging.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2005
Why other products fit dry skin better
A topical serum containing vitamin C, vitamin E, and raspberry leaf cell culture extract improved skin color, elasticity, radiance, smoothness, scaliness, and wrinkles compared to the untreated contralateral side in fifty female volunteers.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Treatment with cross-linked hyaluronic acid-based microneedle patches combined with acetyl hexapeptide-8 or epidermal growth factor significantly improved wrinkles and skin hydration compared to the patch alone in Korean females over 29 days.
Annals of Dermatology, 2019
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Succinic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Allantoin, Panthenol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium Edta
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
-
Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-
Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-
Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-
Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-
Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-
Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-
Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.