Medicube KOJIC ACID TURMERIC PEEL SHOT 80ml

Values: 100% Genuine (Adilsons policy) · FA-Conditional* (Quaternium-60 present) · Fragrance-containing (multiple named essential oils) · Not certified Halal/Vegan/Cruelty-Free — see Section 26.

If your face still looks dull and rough despite exfoliating "regularly," it's often frequency and mechanism mismatch, not a lack of effort — a trace-dosed brightener like this one handles surface texture well but was never designed to erase real dark spots.

Pros: genuinely satisfying rolling-gommage texture; real BHA/LHA/PHA exfoliating action; fast-absorbing, doesn't strip; suits normal-to-resilient skin wanting a weekly polish. Caveats: Kojic Acid/Turmeric doses are marketing-level, not brightening-level; total acid strength undisclosed; carries multiple essential-oil fragrance sources that may not suit reactive skin.

Classification: YELLOW (14+, with guidance). This carries a real Salicylic Acid/Capryloyl Salicylic Acid/Gluconolactone acid trio at an undisclosed but genuine concentration — more than a basic hydrator, though the rinse-off, short-contact, once/twice-weekly format lowers the practical risk versus a leave-on facial acid.

A younger teen should start monthly with adult supervision for the first two uses, watching for stinging around the nose, jawline, or any active breakout.

Step 1 — When: AM or PM, 1-2x per week, after cleansing. Step 2 — How much: a pea-to-dime-sized amount for the whole face. Step 3 — How: massage on dry-to-lightly-damp skin until the product visibly rolls, then rinse fully.

Introduce this as the ONLY new product in your routine. Wait a full 14 days before adding anything else. This isolation window ensures you can identify whether any reaction is caused by this specific product.

1. Cleanse. 2. Peel Shot (peel days only) — massage on dry/damp skin, rinse. 3. Toner → serum → moisturizer → sunscreen as usual. Since this is an acid exfoliant, treated skin is more UV-sensitive for several days afterward, so a daily SPF50+ PA++++ is non-negotiable if using this product at all, AM or PM.

1. Double cleanse if wearing sunscreen/makeup. 2. Peel Shot (peel nights only) — massage, rinse. 3. Toner → treatment serum → moisturizer. In a 4-night skin-cycling framework, this occupies the Exfoliation lane: Night 1 Peel Shot → Night 2 Retinoid (if used) → Nights 3-4 Recovery only.

Massage in gentle circles on dry or lightly damp skin until small "rolls" of product form — this is the gommage mechanism working, not a sign of a dirty face. Avoid the eye area and any active, open blemishes. Rinse thoroughly for 30-60 seconds. Hands deliver 100% of product; use fingertips, not a cotton pad, for this step.

This is an encyclopedia map of all product types. You do not use all of these daily. You select modules based on your skin state.

Global rules: viscosity ladder runs thinnest to thickest, water-phase before oil-phase, treatments before seals. Wait-time defaults: watery layers 10-20s, serum layers 30-60s, before sunscreen 10-15 min. Amount defaults — watery toner/essence: 5-8 drops per layer; serum/ampoule: 2-3 drops or 1 pump; eye product: ½ rice-grain per eye; gel moisturizer: 1-1.5 peas; cream: 1-2 peas; occlusive seal: rice-grain to pea-size; sunscreen: 2-finger rule for face, +1 finger for neck. Hydrators do best on slightly damp skin; retinoids on fully dry skin; exfoliating acids on dry or lightly damp skin, one lane only. Hard cap rule: if the routine pills, stings, or feels heavy, reduce layers, not increase.

AM Maximum Stack: 1. Rinse/Gentle Cleanse (optional) 2. pH-Prep Toner (optional) 3. Hydrating Toner Layers (optional, 1-3) 4. Essence (optional) 5. Mist (optional) 6. Booster/Soothing Serum (optional) 7. Antioxidant Lane (choose one) 8. Pigment Support Lane (choose one) 9. Hydration Serum Lane (optional) 10. Oil-Control Lane (choose one) 11. Peptide/Repair Lane (optional) 12. Eye Serum/Cream (optional) 13. Moisturizer 14. Optional Sealing Layer (dry/AC only) 15. Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++ (non-negotiable) 16. Lip SPF (optional). In AM, prioritize comfort + SPF adherence over stacking. In high humidity, fewer layers often perform better.

PM Maximum Stack: 1. Micellar pre-cleanse (optional) 2. Oil Cleanser/Balm (if SPF/makeup) 3. Water Cleanser 4. pH-Prep Toner (optional) 5. Hydrating Toner Layers (optional) 6. Essence (optional) 7. Soothing/Barrier Serum (optional) 8. Anchor Product — this Peel Shot occupies the Exfoliation Lane here, before treatment serums and moisturizer, on peel nights only 9. Targeted Serum (optional, non-conflicting only) 10. Moisturizer 11. Sleeping Mask (optional) 12. Occlusive Seal (optional) 13. Spot Treatment (as needed) 14. Lip Sleeping Mask (optional). Do not layer retinoids with AHA/BHA in the same night; keep "one lane" per night.

Lane strictness: Retinoid OR Exfoliation OR Strong Vitamin C (LAA) OR Acne-control active per routine; barrier/hydration can always accompany. If unsure, default to the safest lane — barrier/hydration — and reduce layers.

A medium-viscosity gel, applied and rinsed off as its own standalone treatment step rather than layered under other leave-on products. As a water-phase formula, always cleanse before and moisturize after — never apply oil-based products before this step, since they'll block the gel's contact with skin.

Like its body-format sibling, this is a shear-thinning gel: thick in the tube, but designed to thin under massage friction as it "rolls" — that texture change is the mechanism working, not spoilage.

Start once weekly for the first month. Exceeding twice weekly does NOT produce faster results — it produces barrier damage, especially around the nose and cheeks where facial skin is thinner than body skin.

Purging vs. Reaction: purging (if it happens at all with this gentle a formula) occurs in your usual breakout areas and resolves within 4-6 weeks. A reaction — burning, swelling, hives, or breakouts in new areas that worsen rather than improve — means stop immediately.

Before starting this product, your routine should already include: a gentle daily cleanser, a basic moisturizer, and daily SPF. Without these foundations, adding an acid exfoliant causes more harm than benefit.

If your skin currently stings on moisturizer or feels tight within 30 minutes of cleansing, your barrier is below threshold — start with a gentle cleanser and moisturizer routine alone first.

On deeper skin tones (Fitzpatrick IV-VI), any acid exfoliant carries a small PIH-rebound risk if over-used — stick to the stated frequency and always follow with SPF the next day.

Rough texture and dead-skin buildup: the BHA/LHA/PHA acid trio loosens corneocyte bonds while the massage mechanically lifts them. Dullness: removing this buildup layer improves how light reflects off skin, which reads as "brighter" even without real pigment change — an important distinction from actual brightening.

What this product cannot do: it cannot meaningfully fade real dark spots or PIH — Kojic Acid at 0.03% and Turmeric at 0.05% sit well below levels shown to affect melanin production in published research. It cannot shrink pores (nothing topical can) and cannot replace a dedicated pigment-support serum for genuine dark-spot concerns.

1. Medicube Kojic Acid Turmeric Toning Cleanser 120g — same sub-line cleanser for peel days; AM or PM. 2. Medicube Kojic Acid Turmeric Resurfacing Toner 250ml — follow-up toner with a real, functional-strength Glycolic Acid; use on non-peel days to avoid stacking two exfoliation steps. 3. Medicube Kojic Acid Turmeric Vita Capsule Cream — same sub-line moisturizer to seal in hydration post-peel. 4. Medicube Zero Pore Moisture Sun Serum 50ml — daily SPF, mandatory given this product's UV-sensitizing exfoliation.

Pilling risk with this product specifically is low since it's rinsed off before any leave-on layers are applied — but avoid using it the same day as another leave-on acid serum.

This is a conflict-solver for ACTIVE ingredients. If you run multiple actives, use these rules to avoid irritation, deactivation, and barrier damage.

One Active Lane per routine: run only one primary active lane per AM or PM routine. If you break a rule, reduce frequency or alternate nights rather than pushing through. Barrier override: if moisturizer stings or skin feels tight within 30 minutes of cleansing, pause all actives for 3-7 days.

Exfoliation Lane (this product × other acids): don't use this the same day as the Resurfacing Toner's Glycolic Acid or any other leave-on facial acid — over-exfoliation risk. Instead: alternate days, or use this peel Monday and the toner's daily AHA the rest of the week (skipping the toner on peel day). × Retinoid: not the same night — skin-cycle instead (peel night → 2-3 recovery nights → retinoid night). × Physical scrubs/brushes: don't combine same day.

Do not layer retinoids with AHA/BHA in the same night; keep "one lane" per night.

MYTH: "This will fade my dark spots since it has Kojic Acid and Vitamin C." REALITY: at 0.03% Kojic Acid and trace Ascorbic Acid, these are marketing-level inclusions in a rinse-off format — real pigment fading needs a leave-on, higher-concentration product used daily.

MYTH: "If a little exfoliation helps, more must help faster." REALITY: exceeding twice weekly strips the barrier and can trigger the exact dullness and sensitivity you're trying to fix.

Mauritius tap water hardness varies by region; hard water can leave a mineral film after rinsing that reads as tightness — a follow-up toner helps counteract this residue.

*These marketed actives appear below the estimated 1% line in the INCI list, suggesting a trace/sub-efficacious concentration. Their inclusion may be primarily for marketing rather than clinical effect.

Full INCI (core list, cross-corroborated across multiple retailer listings): Water (Aqua), Dipropylene Glycol, Cellulose, Tripropylene Glycol, Steartrimonium Methosulfate, Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Quaternium-60, Propylene Glycol, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, [--- Estimated 1% Line ---] Butylene Glycol, Kojic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Coptis Japonica Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tocopherol, Salicylic Acid, Gluconolactone, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ascorbic Acid.

Some retailer marketing copy also lists Orange Blossom Oil, Reishi Fruit Oil, Cyanocobalamin, Grapefruit Peel Oil, Bergamot Oil, Peppermint Leaf Oil, Bacopa/Bachu Leaf Extract, Panthenol, Niacinamide, Ceramide NP, Allantoin, Tea Tree Leaf Water/Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Lipase, and Protease as additional ingredients — this longer list was not independently placed in a confirmed INCI order this round, so treat it as lower-confidence supplementary marketing copy rather than a verified full list.

Preservative system: 1,2-Hexanediol and Ethylhexylglycerin function as a preservative-booster pairing; no parabens identified in the core declared list.

Fragrance status: Essential Oils Only per the fuller retailer-sourced ingredient list (Orange Blossom, Bergamot, Grapefruit, Peppermint), though these were not independently confirmed in the core INCI order sourced this round. Intensity: likely moderate (matching the body-format sibling's citrus-mint profile); dissipates within a few minutes of rinsing.

*Based on aggregated retailer-declared INCI. Essential oil entries may contain undisclosed allergens such as Limonene, Linalool, or Citral. Patch test advised for sensitive individuals.

Alcohol disclosure: no Denatured Alcohol identified in the core sourced INCI (unlike the 280ml body format, which lists Alcohol/Ethanol) — treat this facial version as the gentler of the two on this specific point, though unconfirmed against a primary source.

Salicylate sensitivity: Salicylic Acid and Capryloyl Salicylic Acid can theoretically cross-react in anyone with a known aspirin/salicylate sensitivity — patch test first. If the supplementary ingredient list's Tea Tree and Centella are genuinely present, note dust-mite/pollen cross-reactivity is not established for either, but general botanical-sensitivity patch testing is still advisable for reactive skin.

Halal: *Self-assessed by Adilsons based on available INCI data. No porcine-derived ingredients and no haram animal-derived ingredients detected in the declared ingredient list. This is NOT a formal Halal certification. Muslims with stricter requirements should consult their own scholars.

Vegan: *Self-assessed by Adilsons based on available INCI data. No animal-derived ingredients detected in the core sourced list. This is NOT a formal vegan certification by The Vegan Society or equivalent body.

Cruelty-Free: *Brand-stated policy is uncertified — Medicube does not appear on PETA's Beauty Without Bunnies or Leaping Bunny databases, and confirms separate retail sale in Mainland China, where post-market animal testing may be legally required; cross-border e-commerce sales may be exempt.

Microplastic-Free: Yes — no polymer microbead ingredient identified in the declared INCI.

MFDS Classification: not confirmed as Functional Cosmetic — treat as General Cosmetic. Brand markets this as "exfoliating & brightening"; independent review corroborates the exfoliating claim but explicitly disputes meaningful brightening at these concentrations. *Brightening claim is Marketing-Only given the trace Kojic Acid/Vitamin C/Turmeric doses; no independently published clinical study located for this exact SKU.

Evidence confidence: Marketing-Only* for brightening; Moderate for texture-improvement (a genuine acid mechanism, even without a disclosed percentage).

This is the facial-format sibling of the 280ml body peel shot — same core acid/brightening chemistry, reformulated for facial-appropriate delivery. Do not confuse the two; the body version is not meant for face use and vice versa.

Fungal Acne Safety: FA-Conditional* — Quaternium-60 is a community-flagged conditioning agent; multiple essential oils add further FA-trigger risk for very sensitive skin. *Community FA-safety trackers, not a clinical classification.

Assessment: None — this is a rinsed-off treatment, not layered under other leave-on products.

Fresh color should be a light, slightly cloudy gel. Browning or a noticeably rancid smell signals oxidation of the plant extracts and Vitamin E; discard rather than use. Store away from direct bathroom heat/humidity extremes and keep the cap sealed. When in doubt, discard.

Patch test on the inner forearm for 24 hours, then behind the ear for 24 hours, before using on the full face. If adverse reaction occurs: STOP ALL ACTIVES. For 72 hours, use ONLY gentle cleanser + plain moisturizer + mineral SPF. NO acids, retinoids, Vitamin C, exfoliants, or essential oils. After 72h, reintroduce ONE product per 14 days.

Emergency stop signals: hives, swelling, blistering, persistent burning, or breathing difficulty — seek emergency care immediately.

1. Using more than twice weekly, chasing faster brightening this dose can't deliver. 2. Skipping sunscreen the day after — treated skin is more UV-sensitive. 3. Combining same-day with another facial acid or retinoid. 4. Expecting real dark-spot fading. 5. Applying too close to the eye area.

Phone-screen hygiene matters less here since this isn't an acne-treatment leave-on, but keep hands clean when massaging the product in.

At a pea-to-dime amount (roughly 2-3ml) per use, an 80ml bottle holds approximately 27-35 uses. At twice weekly, that's roughly 3.5-4 months; at once weekly, roughly 7-8 months. Reorder about 2 weeks before you expect to run out to avoid a gap in your weekly routine.

This is a weekly treatment step layered into an existing full routine, not a daily habit. AM: Cleanse → Peel Shot (peel days only) → toner → moisturizer → SPF50+ PA++++. PM: Cleanse → Peel Shot (peel nights only) → toner → moisturizer.

If your skin is barrier-compromised right now (tight, flaky, recently irritated), skip this week and moisturize only. If you're chasing dark spots specifically, this product alone won't get you there — pair with a genuine leave-on pigment serum. If you already use a leave-on facial AHA/BHA toner, alternate days rather than combining both.

Stock-true same-sub-line routine (Adilsons catalog, verified in stock at time of writing): Kojic Acid Turmeric Toning Cleanser 120g, Kojic Acid Turmeric Resurfacing Toner 250ml, and Kojic Acid Turmeric Vita Capsule Cream. A larger 5-piece version of this same routine also exists in-catalog: Medicube 5-Piece Kojic Acid Turmeric Brightening Set (currently in stock).

After purchasing, you will receive our skincare education email series covering this product in depth.

The recommendations above are based on formulation synergy with Kojic Acid Turmeric Peel Shot, not on margin or stock levels. If a pairing does not exist in our catalog, we say so. If you already own a product that fills the same role, use what you have first.

If you want a real daily-use exfoliant instead of a weekly treatment, Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0 is the in-catalog alternative — it brand-discloses 4.5% Lactic Acid and 0.45% Salicylic Acid on a toner pad, meaningfully more concentrated and used as a daily-to-every-other-day step rather than a weekly gommage.

Choose Peel Shot 80ml over Zero Pore Pad 2.0 if you need a lower-frequency, lower-cumulative-irritation-risk exfoliation ritual rather than a daily active habit.

IF you want daily-strength, disclosed-concentration exfoliation, THEN Zero Pore Pad 2.0's 4.5%/0.45% dual acid is the better fit. IF your skin is barrier-compromised right now, THEN do not upgrade to either — repair barrier first.

Don't upgrade if: you're new to facial acids (start here, weekly, not with a daily pad); you're already running a daily AHA/BHA elsewhere; your barrier is currently compromised.

If you match 2 or more upgrade triggers above, the daily-strength alternative is worth choosing. If not, this weekly product is sufficient and safer. Consistency beats complexity.

This product's PRIMARY function is: weekly mechanical + mild chemical exfoliation for facial texture and buildup. You do NOT need this if you already own a daily leave-on facial AHA/BHA you use consistently — that already covers this role, and running both risks over-exfoliation. Finish your current product before adding a duplicate exfoliation step.

Stacking assessment: Marginal Benefit if you already own another facial exfoliant with overlapping acids — pick one primary lane.

This product is sourced through authorized Korean distributors — primarily Craver Co., Ltd (South Korea), alongside other verified distribution partners. Craver is a major Korean beauty distributor and the parent company of SKIN1004, handling authorized distribution for multiple K-beauty brands. All products are shipped directly to Mauritius via verified channels.

For comprehensive information about how we verify authenticity, our layered verification system, and how to check your product at home, visit our dedicated Authenticity and Trust page.

Genuine units carry a QR code on the inner box resolving to medicubeverify.com with a green checkmark, plus a short embossed batch code near the bottom seam.

Medicube is the flagship skincare/beauty-device brand of APR Corporation (KRX: 278470), founded in Seoul in 2014 by Byunghoon (Victor) Kim; APR went public on the Korea Exchange in 2024. Medicube itself launched in 2016 and is headquartered in Seoul.

The brand positions itself as "medical beauty," pairing at-home devices (the AGE-R line) with companion topical actives sharing the same hero ingredient. This Kojic Acid Turmeric line — spanning cleanser, this peel shot, toner, cream, and more — is Medicube's brightening-and-texture family, distinct from its acne-focused "Red" line and its regenerative PDRN Pink Collagen flagship.

An independent editorial review from DermApproved describes this as a pleasant, effective gentle gommage with a sensible acid blend, best suited to normal, combination, or resilient skin that enjoys a tactile weekly exfoliating ritual and wants smoother texture and cleaner-feeling pores — treated as a gentle physical polish rather than a brightening treatment. Aggregated retailer/social feedback mentions dark spots "fading" and skin looking "more luminous," though these are anecdotal claims not independently corroborated against the product's actual 0.03%/0.05% brightening-active doses.

As of this writing, no dedicated Reddit thread was found for this exact product. It shares its launch window (around April 2026) with the body-format sibling, so its independent review base is similarly thin so far.

Recycle the bottle per local Mauritius plastics guidance once empty and fully rinsed.

Can I use the body peel shot on my face instead? No — use this facial-format 80ml version for the face; the 280ml body version is formulated differently (it contains Alcohol/Ethanol, which this facial formula does not appear to).

Will this fade my dark spots? Not meaningfully — the Kojic Acid (0.03%) and Vitamin C here are trace, marketing-level doses. It genuinely improves texture and dullness from buildup, not real pigmentation.

Is it safe during pregnancy? The disclosed actives are low-risk at these concentrations, but the total acid-trio percentage is undisclosed — get your doctor's sign-off first.

How often should I use it? Once weekly to start; twice weekly maximum once tolerance is confirmed.

Can I use it with my retinol? Not the same night — alternate nights or use a skin-cycling schedule (see the Conflict Solver above).

Gommage

A peel-and-roll style exfoliant that forms small beads of lifted dead skin during massage.

BHA / LHA / PHA

Three exfoliating acid families of differing gentleness — Salicylic Acid (BHA), Capryloyl Salicylic Acid (LHA, a gentler BHA derivative), and Gluconolactone (PHA, the gentlest of the three).

Fairy dusting

When a marketed ingredient is included at such a low concentration it functions mainly for the label, not the skin.

PIH

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation — dark marks left after skin injury or irritation.

Skin cycling

A 4-night rotation of exfoliant, retinoid, and two recovery nights, used to introduce actives without over-stressing the barrier.

Estimated 1% Line

Our best estimate, from INCI order and any disclosed ppm figures, of where a formula crosses below 1% concentration.

Every product sold by Adilsons Beauty is 100% genuine, sourced through authorized Korean distribution channels. Full details on our verification system: Authenticity and Trust.

Our team is available to help you build a routine, troubleshoot reactions, and answer ingredient questions. WhatsApp: +230 5 778 2336.

For in-depth skincare education, visit our blog at adilsons.mu/blogs/k-beauty or subscribe to our email to get our guided education series delivered to your inbox.

Coverage: Island-wide delivery (Mauritius).

Processing and Timing: Orders process in 1-2 business days; usually ready by Day 3 for pickup by our delivery partners/regional team. Partner collection can take up to 1 week. After pickup, delivery typically takes 1-5 business days (weekdays only).

Express: May be available by region; request on WhatsApp: +230 5 778 2336.

Liquids/Sensitive Items: Serums, toners, liquid makeup (and kits containing liquids) are pickup or door-to-door only; checkout enforces this.

Scheduling: Deliveries run by region on set schedules; we will contact you the evening before.

Pickup: Citadelle Mall pickup available.

Returns: No change-of-mind exchanges.

Refunds (Summary): For defective/damaged on receipt (report within 48h), wrong item, or manufacturing defect within 6 months. Refunds via bank transfer (7-10 business days); card refunds may incur a 5% processor fee (fee not charged for defects/order errors). Opened skincare/personal-care items are non-returnable (except if damaged on delivery).

Source of Truth: This is a quick snapshot. If anything differs, the policy pages are final.

Store Policies: For the most up-to-date information, please review our Shipping Policy and Refund Policy.

Best for: anyone with normal-to-resilient facial skin who wants a weekly-to-twice-weekly texture-refining ritual, and who understands the "brightening" name is aspirational marketing rather than a real pigment treatment at this dose.

Key benefits: a genuine BHA/LHA/PHA exfoliating complex with a satisfying rolling texture; fast, non-greasy rinse-off; slots cleanly into the rest of the same-sub-line routine.

Keep in mind: Kojic Acid, Turmeric, and Vitamin C are present at trace, marketing-level concentrations; total acid strength is undisclosed; sunscreen the following day is not optional given the UV-sensitizing exfoliation.