I Bought Glossier's Solution to Clear Up My Acne — and It Did the Opposite
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It took me about two minutes after seeing Glossier's Solution on Instagram before I decided I needed it. Like all Glossier products, it's sleek, beautifully packaged, and moderately priced, and it targets a specific skincare need. Just like some of the models in Solution's before-and-after photos, I have a case of stubborn red spots and discoloration, mostly on my cheeks, that I've been striving to clear up for over a year now. Solution ($34), a liquid exfoliator, claims to combat that exact problem and deliver results within four weeks.
A couple days after reading one of our editor's reviews and ogling the multiple testimonials from women who got early access to the product, I was convinced this could be the last piece of the puzzle in my journey to clear skin. I added the product to my cart, along with a restock of Wowder ($22) and Balm Dotcom ($12), just two of several Glossier products that have become my staples. That's what's important to know given my unfortunate experience with Solution: I truly love Glossier and have had nothing but perfect experiences with more than 10 of its skincare and makeup products. The makeup-melting Milky Jelly Cleanser ($18) is a repeated purchase of mine, despite the fact that its name contains my most hated edible item in the universe. It's that good.
When my Solution arrived in the mail along with yet another trusty pink pouch (I have an embarrassingly high number of those), I could hardly wait for nighttime so I could test it out. That night, I double cleansed (residual makeup and acne are close friends), saturated a cotton pad with a few pumps of Solution, wiped it all over my face, and followed with moisturizer. The next morning, I woke up with a patch of small red bumps on my cheek and a big, red pimple above my lip that quickly turned into a whitehead. My anticipated "hell yes" reaction to this product was quickly replaced with a "f*ck."
I know Solution is the miracle product many women have been waiting for, and there are tons of glowing reviews from people who claim it has done amazing things for their skin. "My skin is the best it has been" and "Can't live without this" are just a couple of the five-star reviews below the product. I wish I were one of those people, but instead I relate to other reviews from women who've said "Unfortunately, it caused a terrible breakout" and "I fell into the group of people for whom this chemical exfoliator does not work at all." By scanning the 400-plus reviews, I've noticed that many women have had the same reaction of red bumps and new pimples.
The bottom line is, everyone's skin is different! If you also have sensitive, breakout-prone skin and are wondering if this liquid exfoliator could cause irritation, read on to hear more about my experience and what multiple dermatologists had to say about it.
Solution's Ingredients
Solution's active ingredient is salicylic acid (0.5 percent), and the inactive ingredients are water, sodium hydroxide, lactic acid, glycolic acid, gluconolactone, propanediol, ethoxydiglycol, magnesium chloride, glycereth-7 trimethyl ether, niacinamide, betaine, inositol, citric acid, glycerin, phytic acid, pentylene glycol, PEG-60 hydrogenated castor oil, caprylyl glycol, ethylhexylglycerin, fragrance, PEG-8, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, acetic acid, and potassium hydroxide. Not exactly words nonexperts are familiar with, right?
I consulted several dermatologists to determine what, if any, red-flag ingredients in this product could irritate people with sensitive skin. "Skin irritation may develop as a result of the alpha and beta hydroxy acid," Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York, told me. Types of alpha hydroxy acids include glycolic, lactic, and citric, while beta hydroxy acids include salicylic acid, Solution's active ingredient. These acids can do great things for some people, but they can also disagree with sensitive skin.
Mona Gohara, MD, also noticed some ingredient-driven irritation, saying, "Propanediol is a synthetic substance that is colorless. It's comparable to propylene glycol, which can be irritating to the skin."
Why It Didn't Work For Me
Here's me with the pimple that cropped up above my lip (which has yet to fully go away weeks later). I am wearing moisturizer and some makeup that hides other blemishes and discoloration, but the Solution-induced pimple was my first big flare-up in a while. "Treating acne in patients with sensitive skin is very tough. Many acne-fighting ingredients can lead to irritation," Dr. Zeichner said.
Mona pointed out the importance of looking out for fragrances, too: "The fragrances and flower extracts are also potentially adding fuel to the fire. I tell patients with any inflammation in the skin to avoid these so that they don't stoke the flames." For what it's worth, the exact same thing happened to my skin when I tried Glossier's Super Pure serum, which has several of the same ingredients.
What to Avoid
I'll admit that in my rush of excitement over Solution, I failed to scrutinize its lengthy list of ingredients, which was not a smart move on my part. It's important to familiarize yourself with ingredients that do and don't work for your skin, no matter the brand. A third dermatologist, Dr. Michele Farber of Schweiger Dermatology Group in NYC, reminded me of that.
"People with sensitive skin should always avoid parabens, fragrances, and preservatives as much as possible. Allergic reactions can take several forms and look more like eczema or look more acneiform — meaning it looks like a breakout," she said. "Polyethylene glycol, or PEGs, are also common in skincare products and can break out sensitive skin." Ugh.
Not a Deal Breaker
Overall, this bummer of a Glossier experience has not swayed my appreciation for the badass beauty brand run by the admirable Emily Weiss. Everyone has less-than-ideal skincare reactions sometimes, which is part of discovering a routine that works for you. When I stock back up on Boy Brow, I'm probably also going to give Lidstar, Glossier's newest eye product, a try. But when it comes to skincare products — Glossier or otherwise — I'm going to pay closer attention to the ingredients list!