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6 Best Peter Thomas Roth Products That Are Like a Facial in a Bottle
The best Peter Thomas Roth products prove that actives-driven skin care doesn’t have to feel cold or intimidating—it can be effective and accessible. The brand is known for cutting through the noise with formulas that mimic in-office treatments. Founded in 1993 by Peter Thomas Roth himself (who struggled to find products that addressed mature skin and acne), the brand delivers results that honestly shocked us—we’re talkin’ smoother wrinkles in seconds and that just-left-the-aesthetician glow. Intrigued yet? We tested a ton of Peter Thomas Roth products to narrow down the ones actually worth your money. And trust us: We’ll happily take a $40 wrinkle-reducer that works instantly over a pricey trip to the facialist.
Our Top Peter Thomas Roth Products
Frequently Asked Questions
Volume Up: Peptide Skinjection Fill + Fix Under-Eye Cream
Why we love it: Noticing signs of tiredness under your eyes? A sidekick that covers all your brightening bases is essential. Peter Thomas Roth’s Peptide Skinjection Fill + Fix Under Eye Cream is packed with a 4% Peptilift technology (hi, peptides), hyaluronic acid, caffeine, and a patented plant complex called Juveneye CLR 3% that acts as a skin-regenerating agent—together, these ingredients smooth the look of fine lines, visibly diminish tired-looking eyes, and reduce puffiness. The lightweight cream also has a slight peachy tint that helps blur imperfections, though you’ll probably still want a bit of concealer for full coverage.
“If an eye cream doesn’t have a metal applicator, I don’t want it! That’s why I love this one from Peter Thomas Roth. Its angled tip cools on contact, hugs undereyes to help depuff, and has a peach-colored tint to help conceal dark circles. (You’ll still need concealer, but it makes for a great start to your base!) Although it’s great for morning and night, I prefer to use it before work because it’s so refreshing.” —Sarah Kinonen, associate beauty director
- Key ingredients: peptides, hyaluronic acid, caffeine, Juveneye CLR 3%
- Who it’s best for: mature skin, people who are concerned with sagging or fine lines
- Product highlights: paraben-free, less than one percent synthetic fragrance
- Fragrance-free: yes
Smooth Operator: Expression Line Hydra-Gel Patches
Why we love it: Another winner from the Skinjection line is the Peter Thomas Roth Peptide Skinjection Hydra-Gel Patches, which we like to call the “whole shebang.” These eye patches deliver a powerful blend of line-smoothing peptides, brightening niacinamide, and a trio of hydrators: hyaluronic acid, squalane, and cactus flower extract. They come in two clever shapes: one for targeting crow’s feet under the eyes, and another for smoothing vertical forehead lines and nose scrunch lines between the brows and along the bridge of the nose. Another welcome bonus is that each patch has a perforated texture, so they won’t slip down the face for the entire 10 to 15 minutes of wear. Pro tip: Pat (don’t wipe) any leftover serum into your skin—because why waste even a single drop?
Tester feedback from contributing editor Deanna Pai
“My face is really expressive, as one plastic surgeon put it, so even on the cusp of 36, I have decent furrow lines and crow’s feet, thanks to scowling, smiling, and everything in between. I liked that these gel patches—which adhere easily and provide a light, cooling sensation—target exactly those lines. Even though those will take months to make a difference, I appreciated the immediate gratification of brighter, more hydrated skin as soon as I took them off.” —Deanna Pai, contributing editor
- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, squalane, cactus flower extract
- Who it’s best for: those with acne, texture, and dull skin
- Number of patches: 60
- Fragrance-free: yes
In the Clear: Max Complexion Correction Pads
Why we love it: At Allure HQ, we live for glass-like glowy skin, but our journeys haven’t been without some trial and error. One product that’s earned a permanent spot in our routines is Peter Thomas Roth’s Max Complexion Correction Pads. These pre-soaked exfoliating pads gently slough the top layer of skin to reveal a brighter, smoother complexion, thanks to a 10% dose of a glycolic acid complex. “Glycolic acid is a chemical exfoliant, particularly an alpha hydroxy acid (AHAs), derived from sugarcane”, Pittsburg-based board-certified dermatologist Lindsey Zubritsky, MD, previously told Allure. It works by loosening and shedding dead skin cells that cause dullness and rough texture, adds Ohio-based board-certified dermatologist Hope Mitchell, MD. The formula also includes 2% salicylic acid to help treat and prevent breakouts, plus soothing aloe and allantoin to keep skin calm and balanced.
“I’ve dealt with acne and rough texture for basically my entire life, but when I discovered the powers of tri-weekly exfoliating, my frequent full-forehead breakouts turned into a rare blemish. I’ve been testing these pads for two weeks, and they live up to my high standards. They don’t smell like a strong acid (rather, they have a nice peach bellini scent), tingle in a good way, and make me look like I just pranced out of a facial. Plus, the long-term benefits have been noticeable—I haven’t had a bout of rough texture or a single breakout in the last two weeks.” —Lily Wohlner, commerce writer
- Key ingredients: 10% glycolic acid complex, 2% salicylic acid, aloe, allantoin
- Who it’s best for: people with skin dullness, acne, large pores, or uneven texture
- Number of pads: 60
- Fragrance-free: no
Hold Tight: FirmX Eye Temporary Eye Tightener Easy-Wear Formula
Why we love it: This eye-tightening cream temporarily smooths fine lines and wrinkles in seconds—yes, seconds. Firm-A-Tite, a patented blend of silicates and seaweed, instantly tightens the skin and smooths out fine lines, puffiness, and wrinkles, while peptide technology helps firm and plump over time. FirmX Eye Temporary Eye Tightener Easy-Wear comes with a brush (which you don’t have to use, since it might absorb some product) that makes application mess-free. Once it sets, it stays put without pilling, even under makeup. While it has a slight peachy tint for a touch of coverage, we recommend layering it over concealer if you want a fuller-coverage finish.
“The new FirmX Eye Easy-Wear Formula is such a game-changer compared to the original. I love that it doesn’t leave behind that chalky white cast—especially since I wear it on completely bare skin, no makeup or moisturizer underneath. It just smooths and tightens everything in this subtle, fresh-faced way. I’m only 29 (and get a full nine hours of sleep each night!) so my before-and-afters don’t show the full magic, but trust me, my 59-year-old mom swears by it. It’s her holy grail, and now it’s mine too.” — Angela Trakoshis, shopping market editor
- Key ingredients: Firm-A-Tite, peptide technology
- Who it’s best for: mature skin, people who are concerned with sagging or fine lines
- Fragrance-free: yes
Cool Down: Water Drench Ice-Facial Cooling Mist
Why we love it: This is one of those products you didn’t know you needed…until you use it. The Water Drench Ice-Facial Cooling Mist is infused with hydrating hyaluronic acid, brightening caffeine, and a trio of antioxidant-rich green, red, and white tea to protect skin from damage caused by free radicals. The face mist also has peppermint-loaded IceAwake Activating Technology that provides a cooling, refreshing kick to instantly wake you up. Whether you’re dealing with a steamy commute or need a mid-day boost, this spray is like a splash of cold water and a skin-care treatment in one.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
“I love a face mist to wake me up during mid-afternoon office slumps. (IYKYK!) PTR’s Water Drench one-ups my other mists because it has unique “IceAwake Activating Technology” as well as peppermint and caffeine for a very noticeable cooling effect. I’m not sure how much of a depuffing effect it has, but the skin-calming benefits are well worth it. Note to self: Keep it in my work tote so I can spritz when I’m waiting on the subway platforms, a.k.a. public saunas!” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, caffeine, green, red, and white tea, peppermint
- Who it’s best for: everyone
- Fragrance-free: no
C the Light: Potent-C Power Serum
Peter Thomas Roth
Potent-C Power Serum
Why we love it: You’ve probably heard that L-ascorbic acid (a.k.a. pure vitamin C) is the gold standard in antioxidant serums—but the Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Power Serum takes a different approach. Instead, it uses a 20% concentration of THD ascorbate—a more stable, more potent form of vitamin C. THDA is then fortified with 2% ferulic acid and 3% vitamin E to boost performance, which includes brightening skin, evening out tone, and smoothing texture, without any of the dreaded, barrier-disrupting sensitivity that can be associated with other forms of vitamin C. Use it twice daily after cleansing for maximum dark-spot and dullness maintenance.
- Key ingredients: 20% THD ascorbate, 2% ferulic acid, 3% vitamin C
- Who it’s best for: those with dark spots, dullness, and uneven texture
- Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of best Peter Thomas Roth products, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
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