What are the best Peter Thomas Roth products? Peter started his brand to deal with his acne. It worked, but I’m not too impressed by his anti-acne range. Too many essentials oil that can irritate skin that’s already inflamed. His anti-aging line is another matter entirely. From sunscreens to retinol serums, here you’ll find plenty of products to help you prevent sun damage, treat wrinkles and brighten your complexion. Here’s what’s worth the splurge to get your best skin day ever – every day:
- About The Brand: Peter Thomas Roth
- What Are The Best Peter Thomas Roth Products?
- Peter Thomas Roth Max Mineral Tinted Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45 ($38.00)
- Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion PM ($65.00)
- Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Power Serum ($105.00)
- Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Makeup Removing Gel Cleanser ($32.00)
- Peter Thomas Roth Goodbye Acne Max Complexion Correction Pads ($48.00)
- Peter Thomas Roth Therapeutic Sulfur Mask ($52.00)
- Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Liquid Gel Cloud Serum ($68.00)
- Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Peel Pads ($52.00)
- Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream Hydrating Moisturizer ($54.00)
- Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Brightening Vitamin C Moisturizer ($72.00)
- What Are The Best Peter Thomas Roth Products For Wrinkles?
- What Are The Best Peter Thomas Roth Products For Acne?
- What Are The Best Peter Thomas Roth Products For Dark Spots?
- What Are The Best Peter Thomas Roth Products For Sensitive Skin?
- What Are The Pros Of Peter Thomas Roth Skincare?
- What Are The Cons Of Peter Thomas Roth Skincare?
- Is Peter Thomas Roth Cruelty-Free?
- The Verdict
About The Brand: Peter Thomas Roth
The child of Hungarian immigrants, Peter Thomas Roth comes from a family that owned and operated two spa resorts in their country of origin. Peter started his company to fix his own acne woes, and he did it using a mix of soothing muds and minerals found in Hungarian thermal springs and scientifically-proven-to-work actives, like retinol. He did mix the best of the old school and new generation remedies! Since then, the line has expanded to include solution for anti-aging, hyperpigmentation, and anything else your skin is dealing with.
What Are The Best Peter Thomas Roth Products?
Peter Thomas Roth Max Mineral Tinted Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45 ($38.00)
Looking for a mineral sunscreen that doesn’t make you look like Caspar The Ghost? Peter Thomas Roth Max Mineral Tinted Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45 is IT. More of a moisturizing cream than a lotion, it uses zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to provide excellent broad spectrum protection without irritating skin. It’s so gentle, even sensitive, rosacea-prone skin can use it! The tint is almost universal, blending in effortlessly with most skin tones. Only those on the far ends of the spectrum (very fair princesses and very dark damsels) are left out. It may be a tad too moisturising for oily skin, but everyone else will love it.
Available at: Blue Mercury, Dermstore, Peter Thomas Roth, Sephora, and Ulta
Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide 1.93% and Zinc Oxide 19.24%
Benefits: Provides broad spectrum protection from UV rays.
Cons: The texture is on the thicker side.
Skin type: It’s best suitable for dry and sensitive skin.
Fragrance-free: Yes.
Related: 3 Reasons Why Mineral Sunscreen Is Best For Sensitive Skin
Don’t know which skincare products you can mix and match together and which ones deactivate each other? Download your FREE “How To Layer Actives Like A Pro” cheat sheet to get the most out of your skincare products:
Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion PM ($65.00)
One of the best retinol serums I’ve ever tried, Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion PM uses a whopping 1.5% retinol in a squalane base. Retinol fights wrinkles in 3 ways: it destroys free radicals, speeds up the skin’s exfoliating process to smooth them out and boosts collagen production to keep skin firm. At this concentration, it can easily irritate skin, dry it out ad make it flake, too. The moisturizing squalane base counteracts the drying effects to an extent. Still, I recommend this only to women who have built up tolerance to retinol over the years. Start with a smaller concentration and work your way up here.
Available: Beauty Bay, Blue Mercury, Cult Beauty, Look Fantastic, Peter Thomas Roth, Sephora, and Ulta
Active Ingredients: 1.5% Microencapsulated retinol and squalane.
Benefits: Fights wrinkles and brightens the complexion.
Cons: If your skin isn’t used to high concentrations of retinol, this can be drying and irritating.
Skin type: It’s best suitable for dry skin, but all skin types bar sensitive can use it.
Fragrance-free: Yes.
Related: What Strength Of Retinol Do You Need?
Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Power Serum ($105.00)
Tired of Vitamin C serums that go bad after one month? Blame it on L-Ascorbic Acid (LAA). It’s the most powerful form of Vitamin C… and the faster to deteriorate. Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Power Serum ditched it in favour of its derivative Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (TA). TA is oil-soluble, meaning it penetrates skin better and faster than LAA. Once there, it boosts collagen and fights free radicals to keep wrinkles at bay. The best part? The serum also has ferulic acid and Vitamin E. These antioxidants are Vitamin C’s best friends, making it even more powerful and strong.
Available at: Beauty Bay, Look Fantastic, Peter Thomas Roth, Sephora, and Ulta
Active Ingredients: 20% Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Vitamin E, and ferulic acid.
Benefits: Fights wrinkles and brightens the complexion.
Cons: Doesn’t use the more effective form of Vitamin C, L-Ascorbic Acid.
Skin type: All skin types can use it, but it’s best suitable for sensitive skin.
Fragrance-free: Yes.
Related: Is Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate The Best Form Of Vitamin C?
Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Makeup Removing Gel Cleanser ($32.00)
Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Makeup Removing Gel Cleanser cleanses skin while moisturizing with pure water vapor drawn from the clouds. Or so the brand says. In truth, it’s just a gentle foaming cleanser with hyaluronic acid to help skin retain enough moisture during the cleansing process. When you rinse it off, your skin is both clean and soft.
Available at: Beauty Bay, Look Fantastic, Peter Thomas Roth, Sephora, and Ulta
Active Ingredients: Cocamidopropyl Betaine and Hyaluronic Acid.
Benefits: Cleanses skin, removes makeup, and hydrates.
Cons: On the pricey side for a cleanser.
Skin type: Combination, oily, and acne-prone.
Fragrance-free: No.
Related: How To Choose The Right Cleanser For Your Skin Type
Peter Thomas Roth Goodbye Acne Max Complexion Correction Pads ($48.00)
These textured pads are infused with 2% Salicylic Acid + Glycolic Acid to exfoliate skin. Salicylic Acid prevents and treats acne by getting deep into your pores and removing clogs from within. Glycolic Acid brightens the complexion, fading away the dark spots pimples sometimes leave behind. Plus, soothing agents to reduce the risk of irritation that’s caused by over exfoliation (don’t use this more than any other night). And did I mention they’re so convenient on-the-go?
Available at: Cult Beauty, Nordstrom, Peter Thomas Roth, Revolve, Sephora, and Ulta
Active Ingredients: Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid, and soothing agents.
Benefits: Exfoliates, brightens, and treats acne.
Cons: Can irritate skin if used too often.
Skin type: Most suitable for oily and acne-prone skin, but dry skin can use it too.
Fragrance-free: No.
Peter Thomas Roth Therapeutic Sulfur Mask ($52.00)
If you’re serious about getting rid of pimples, you need sulphur in your life. This baby kills P.Acne, the bacteria that’s giving you those nasty zits, and shrinks them down quickly. A couple of days later, you’ll barely be able to see them – unless you have a lot of acne, then give it a bit more time to work. Still, it does the job faster than any other anti-acne active. Plus, it has natural clays to soak up excess oil. The catch? It’s not a face mask. Sulphur is very drying, so use it on pimples only.
Available at: Peter Thomas Roth, Revolve, Sephora, and Ulta
Active Ingredients: 10% sulfur and natural clays.
Benefits: Shrinks pimples and treats acne.
Cons: Sulfur is drying and irritating.
Skin type: Acne-prone skin.
Fragrance-free: No.
Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Liquid Gel Cloud Serum ($68.00)
Think of Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Liquid Gel Cloud Serum as an infusion of moisture. It’s loaded with Hyaluronic Acid and Urea, two humectants that attract and bind to the skin a truckload of moisture. All that extra moisture plumps up your skin, so your fine lines look smaller. Instant anti-ager right there. It also lit up your skin from within, so that it has that subtle glow Korean women are famous for. And it’s suitable for all skin type. Sensitive, dry, combo, or oily, moisture is the foundation of beautiful skin.
Available at: Beauty Bay, Cult Beauty, Dermstore, Peter Thomas Roth, Sephora, and Ulta
Active Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid and urea.
Benefits: Hydrates skin, plumps up wrinkles, and makes the complexion glow.
Cons: Anti-aging effect is only temporary.
Skin type: All skin types.
Fragrance-free: Yes.
Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Peel Pads ($52.00)
I usually recommend using Glycolic Acid and retinol on alternate nights. These two anti-aging powerhouses fight wrinkles, smoothen out imperfections, and brighten the complexion. But they can be irritating alone, let alone when used together. So why am I recommending Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Peel Pads? The brand formulated these actives so they work together to deliver results gently. To further reduce the risk of side effects, these pads are enriched with hydrating hyaluronic to counteract dryness and niacinamide to soothe irritations. Use them no more than every other night.
Available at: Beauty Bay, Nordstrom, Peter Thomas Roth, Sephora, and Ulta
Active Ingredients: Glycolic Acid, retinol, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid.
Benefits: Exfoliates, fights wrinkles, and brightens skin.
Cons: Can irritate skin if used too often.
Skin type: Dry skin.
Fragrance-free: Yes.
Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream Hydrating Moisturizer ($54.00)
One of my fave moisturiser for oily, combination, and acne-prone skin, Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream Hydrating Moisturizer has an oil-free, velvety texture that’s as light as a cloud. It’s infused with 3 forms of Hyaluronic Acid to add a waterfall of moisture into your skin and ceramides to seal it in without adding extra oil. Plus, a sprinkle of antioxidants to prevent premature wrinkles. It plumps up wrinkles, softens your skin’s texture and makes your complexion glow. All of this without aggravating or causing acne.
Available at: Beauty Bay, Cult Beauty, Dermstore, Look Fantastic, Peter Thomas Roth, Sephora, and Ulta
Active Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid and ceramides.
Benefits: Plumps up skin and hydrates it.
Cons: Jar packaging isn’t the most hygienic.
Skin type: Combination, oily, and acne-prone skin.
Fragrance-free: Yes.
Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Brightening Vitamin C Moisturizer ($72.00)
Wait, shouldn’t Vitamin C only be packaged in bottles? Why am I recommending a Vitamin C serum that comes in a jar? Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Brightening Vitamin C Moisturizer uses Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, a derivative of L-Ascorbic Acid (the pure form of Vitamin C) that does NOT go bad when exposed to light and air. Although less effective, it’s still does a good job at preventing wrinkles and brightening the complexion. If you can go for L-Ascorbic Acid, great. But if your skin is sensitive and doesn’t tolerate it well, this is a great anti-aging alternative. It’s also enriched with Vitamin E and Ferulic Acid, two antioxidants that supercharge Vitamin C. Hydrating and quick-absorbing, it also plump up your skin and makes it glow.
Available at: Dermstore, Peter Thomas Roth, Revolve, Sephora, and Ulta
Active Ingredients: Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Vitamin E, and Ferulic Acid.
Benefits: Hydrates skin and prevents wrinkles.
Cons: Not as effective as L-Ascorbic Acid, the pure form of Vitamin C.
Skin type: Sensitive skin that can’t tolerate L-Ascorbic Acid.
Fragrance-free: Yes.
What Are The Best Peter Thomas Roth Products For Wrinkles?
- Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion PM ($65.00): A whopping 1.5% retinol in a squalane base to fight wrinkles, firm skin, and fade away dark spots. Suitable only for people who’ve been using retinol for year and have built tolerance to high concentrations. Available Beauty Bay, Blue Mercury, Cult Beauty, Look Fantastic, Peter Thomas Roth, Sephora, and Ulta
- Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Peel Pads ($52.00): A powerful solution with exfoliating Glycolic Acid and collagen-boosting retinol to fight premature aging and get a younger-looking, brighter complexion. Available at Beauty Bay, Nordstrom, Peter Thomas Roth, Sephora, and Ulta
- Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Power Serum ($105.00): This serum uses 20% Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, a Vitamin C derivative that boosts collagen and fights free radicals to keep wrinkles at bay. It’s best for people who can’t tolerate L-Ascorbic Acid, the pure form of Vitamin C. Available at Beauty Bay, Look Fantastic, Peter Thomas Roth, Sephora, and Ulta
What Are The Best Peter Thomas Roth Products For Acne?
- Peter Thomas Roth Goodbye Acne Max Complexion Correction Pads ($48.00): These textured pads are infused with 2% Salicylic Acid + Glycolic Acid to exfoliate skin and unclog pores. Available at Cult Beauty, Nordstrom, Peter Thomas Roth, Revolve, Sephora, and Ulta
- Peter Thomas Roth Therapeutic Sulfur Mask ($52.00): A spot treatment with sulfur that gets rid of pimples faster than anything else I’ve tried. Available at Peter Thomas Roth, Revolve, Sephora, and Ulta
What Are The Best Peter Thomas Roth Products For Dark Spots?
- Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion PM ($65.00): A whopping 1.5% retinol in a squalane base to fight wrinkles, firm skin, and fade away dark spots. Suitable only for people who’ve been using retinol for year and have built tolerance to high concentrations. Available Beauty Bay, Blue Mercury, Cult Beauty, Look Fantastic, Peter Thomas Roth, Sephora, and Ulta
- Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Peel Pads ($52.00): A powerful solution with Glycolic Acid and retinol, two powerful actives that fight wrinkles and reduce dark spots. Available at Beauty Bay, Nordstrom, Peter Thomas Roth, Sephora, and Ulta
What Are The Best Peter Thomas Roth Products For Sensitive Skin?
- Peter Thomas Roth Max Mineral Tinted Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45 ($38.00): A tinted mineral sunscreen that provides gentle, broad-spectrum protection minus the white cast. Available at Blue Mercury, Dermstore, Peter Thomas Roth, Sephora, and Ulta
- Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Brightening Vitamin C Moisturizer ($72.00): A moisturiser with 10% Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, a form of Vitamin C that even sensitive skin can use to prevent wrinkles and brighten the complexion. Available at Dermstore, Peter Thomas Roth, Revolve, Sephora, and Ulta
What Are The Pros Of Peter Thomas Roth Skincare?
Peter Thomas Roth uses actives that work. Sunscreens use UV filters that protect you from both UVA and UVB rays. Serums have retinoids and Vitamin C to fight premature aging. Moisturises are loaded with natural butters and Hyaluronic Acid. It’s not just hype. These actives work.
What Are The Cons Of Peter Thomas Roth Skincare?
As much as I appreciate Peter Thomas Roth always been on the lookout for innovative and effective skincare ingredients, a lot of the newcomers like peptides haven’t really been proved to work yet. Maybe that’ll change in the future, but for now, some of the advertising actives are just marketing hype. Another con? A lot of the products contain fragrance and citrusy extracts that can irritate sensitive skin. If your skin gets easily irritated, make sure you avoid those.
Is Peter Thomas Roth Cruelty-Free?
Peter Thomas Roth is not cruelty-free. Although the company doesn’t test their finished products on animals, they outsource animal testing“where required by law”.
The Verdict
There you go, the best Peter Thomas Roth products for wrinkles, acne, dark spots, and sensitive skin. If you want something that truly works (and at this price point, it absolutely should!), get one of the gems here. You won’t be disappointed.
why pay the hefty price tag for his retinol when the ordinary comes in less expensive?
Jeff, good point. This has a slightly higher concentration than the 1% retinol from The Ordinary. If you want to use the highest dose on the market, it’s worth paying for. But 1% retinol is still very strong so The Ordinary is still a great option.
I’m surprised the 8% Glycolic toner didn’t make the list. That is one of my favorite products of his. I have since switched to The Ordinary as it’s only 1% lower in strength, but I still miss my PTR 8% Glycolic solutions.
Kristin, it didn’t make the cut because it has alcohol denat. Not everyone likes that. But if it doesn’t bother your skin, it’s a great product, very effective.
I loved the old 10% Glycolic Acid Moisturizer…it was a miracle product in my opinion. Had I known it would be axed, I would’ve purchased boxes of the stuff! Would you consider a return of the original product, with minimal ingredients, for the PTR purists out there?! Thanks!