STEP 4 OF 9 IN THE GLOW RITUAL

The Surface : AHA Peeling Concentrate

AHA peeling exfoliating concentrate

A leave-on lactic acid concentrate that resurfaces overnight, softens visible texture, and helps the complexion look smoother and more luminous by morning without dryness or stripping.

4.8 (5 reflections)
€45
  • Vegan and cruelty-free
  • Made fresh once you order
  • Dispatched within 2 working days
  • Free EU shipping over 90 €

Made fresh for you once you order · dispatched within 2 working days.

On the skin

What this bottle brings

  • 01

    Smooths visible surface texture overnight

  • 02

    Hydrates while lactic acid exfoliates

  • 03

    Leaves skin looking clearer and luminous

The Surface : AHA Peeling Concentrate

Why this exists

Chemical exfoliation can be highly effective, but many AHA formulas fall into one of two unhelpful camps: either too mild to make a visible difference, or so aggressive that they leave skin feeling overworked. This concentrate is built to sit in the practical middle. At 10% lactic acid, it provides meaningful resurfacing support at a level that can be used as part of a considered ritual, while the pH is adjusted to keep the acid working in its effective range. Hyaluronic Acid, glycerin, butylene glycol, and pentylene glycol are included to keep the skin conditioned as it exfoliates, rather than trading smoothness for dehydration. Antioxidant-rich sage leaf and white tea leaf extracts add a quiet supporting role, helping the formula feel more balanced on skin overnight.

Inside the bottle

The key actives

01

Lactic Acid

Lactic Acid

The primary exfoliating acid, helping loosen dead surface cells so skin looks smoother and more even by morning.

02

Hyaluronic Acid

Sodium Hyaluronate

Supports hydration while the formula works, so resurfacing feels less drying and the skin stays more comfortable.

03

Glycerin

Glycerin

A humectant that draws in moisture and helps keep the skin conditioned during overnight exfoliation.

04

Sage Leaf Extract

Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract

Adds antioxidant and calming support to help balance the feel of an acid-led formula.

05

White Tea Leaf Extract

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Provides antioxidant support while the concentrate works through the night.

On the skin

Clear and low-viscosity, it spreads easily across the skin. There is a mild, clean acid note on first application that fades quickly. It absorbs fast and leaves no heavy film.
The Surface€45

Where this sits

Your place in The Glow Ritual

From first cleanse to final seal, this is step 4 of 9 in the full Glow Ritual : the leave-on exfoliant that smooths and clarifies before the next layer.

  1. Step 1The Reveal Radiant Glow Face Wash
  2. Step 2The Sweep Glycolic Exfoliating Toner
  3. Step 3The Polish Resurfacing Kojic Exfoliator
  4. Step 4The Surface AHA Peeling ConcentrateYou are here
  5. Step 5The Light Vitamin C Glow Serum
  6. Step 6The Even Niacinamide Gel Moisturiser
  7. Step 7The Glow Marine Active Day Cream
  8. Step 8The Lift Peptide Firming Serum
  9. Step 9The Sheen Omega-Rich Body Oil

Build it as a ritual

Build yourGlow Ritual

Add the steps you don't already use. Your bag updates in real time. Rewards apply at checkout, automatically.

The Reveal Radiant Glow Face Wash

€40

The Sweep Glycolic Exfoliating Toner

€45

The Polish Resurfacing Kojic Exfoliator

€40

The Surface AHA Peeling Concentrate

€45

The Light Vitamin C Glow Serum

€40

The Even Niacinamide Gel Moisturiser

€40

The Glow Marine Active Day Cream

€40

The Lift Peptide Firming Serum

€40

The Sheen Omega-Rich Body Oil

€55

Complete the ritual. Qualifying orders enjoy Complimentary Shipping, a Complimentary Candle and 10% OVESSI Reward.

Selected ritual subtotal €0
Estimated checkout total Includes The Glow. €0

Rewards apply automatically at checkout. Complimentary Shipping over €90. Final price calculated by Shopify at checkout.

The application

How to layer this

  1. 1

    Apply after cleansing

    Use in the evening on clean, dry skin as the treatment step in your ritual. Apply a thin, even layer and allow it to settle before the next step, if you choose to layer one.

  2. 2

    Use sparingly

    Begin with one to two evenings per week. Increase only if your skin is comfortable and your ritual already includes daily SPF in the morning.

  3. 3

    Leave on overnight

    Do not rinse after application. The formula is designed to work while you sleep, when skin naturally renews itself.

  4. 4

    Follow with care

    On exfoliation nights, keep the rest of your ritual simple and avoid pairing with other strong actives unless you already know your skin tolerates them well.

What to expect

On the skin, over time

  1. Day 1

    You may notice a faint warmth on application that settles within a minute. By morning, skin often feels smoother and looks a little more luminous.

  2. Week 1

    Surface texture can begin to look more even, especially where congestion or roughness is most visible. Post-blemish marks may appear a little softer in tone.

  3. Week 4

    With consistent weekly use, the complexion can look more refined and clearer in appearance. Skin may feel less rough between exfoliation evenings.

The deeper detail

The formulation, the provenance, the standard

Formulation

Lactic Acid at 10% is the primary exfoliating active. As an alpha-hydroxy acid derived from fermentation, it loosens the corneodesmosomes that hold dead skin cells together, allowing them to shed more readily and revealing the fresher, more even-looking surface beneath. Lactic Acid is also a humectant in its own right, which partly explains why well-formulated lactic acid products tend to leave skin feeling hydrated rather than stripped. It is the gentlest of the AHA family and is particularly well-tolerated by sensitive and darker skin types, where glycolic acid at equivalent concentrations can more frequently cause irritation.

The formula is pH-adjusted with Potassium Hydroxide to land at approximately pH 3.5 to 4, the range at which Lactic Acid exfoliates effectively while remaining within the tolerance threshold of normal to moderately sensitive skin. Sodium Hyaluronate and Butylene Glycol maintain hydration throughout the exfoliation process. Organic Sage Leaf Extract and organic White Tea Leaf Extract provide antioxidant and calming support, mitigating any surface reactivity the acid action may generate. Pentylene Glycol and Glycerin complete the conditioning layer.

The formula is clear, low-viscosity, and absorbs quickly on the skin. There is a mild, clean acid note on first application that dissipates within seconds. No rinse is required; the formula continues working overnight.

Provenance

A small-batch boutique skincare house, made to order. Every bottle is formulated and filled within two working days of your order, then dispatched from the fulfilment centre closest to you : our European facility for United Kingdom and European Union customers, our United States facility for North American customers. Because every bottle is bottled to order, what arrives at your door is at the peak of its actives : nothing has been sitting against light, heat, or oxygen for months. Two-day production is the price of formulation freshness, and the boutique standard we hold ourselves to.

Cruelty-free. Vegan. Gluten free. Allergen Label Free. Natural certified (Ecocert COSMOS Natural).

From our community

Reviews and reflections

4.8
Based on 5 reflections
  • 4
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • Verified

    decent strength for me

    I've got fairly sensitive skin and the 10% lactic acid works without wrecking me like stronger ones have. No scratchy aftermath. Goes on quick, I leave it overnight by itself and it does the job. My skin's calmer and texture's improved a bit over a few weeks. Good middle ground tbh.

    Sophia H. Bristol · Mature · 25-34 · 28 Jan 2026
  • yes

    Skin looks more glowy by morning.

    Soren W. Chicago IL · Combination · 25-34 · 17 Jul 2025
  • Verified

    works for me

    Use it twice a week. Job done.

    Ella K. Oxford · Mature · 45-54 · 3 Mar 2025
  • Verified

    does what it says

    Post-blemish marks look softer after a week which is what I wanted. Doesn't feel tight overnight either.

    Arlo G. Glasgow · Oily · 25-34 · 16 Feb 2025
  • tidy little product

    One layer twice a week, no fuss. Wake up and my forehead looks cleaner and more even. Does what it should.

    Olivia N. Stockholm · Oily · 35-44 · 30 Jan 2025
The Surface€45

Every OVESSI order is prepared once you place it. Your order is filled, sealed and labelled for you, then dispatched within 2 working days. Nothing waits on a warehouse shelf.

  • Made fresh
  • 2-day dispatch
  • UK 3 to 7 / EU 5 to 10 / US 2 to 5 days

In case you wondered

Frequently asked

How often should I use it?
Start with one to two evenings per week. If your skin is comfortable, you can maintain that cadence rather than using it daily.
Do I rinse it off?
No. This is a leave-on concentrate designed to work overnight after application.
Where does it fit in my ritual?
Use it at the treatment step after cleansing and before heavier leave-on products. Keep the rest of the evening ritual calm on exfoliation nights.
Can I use it with retinoids?
It is best not to layer strong acids and retinoids in the same evening unless you already know your skin tolerates that combination well.
Is it suitable for sensitive skin?
Lactic acid is generally gentler than many other AHAs, and the formula includes hydrating support. That said, start slowly and monitor how your skin responds.
Will it help with dark spots?
Regular exfoliation can help skin look more even over time, which may make post-blemish marks appear softer in tone.
When will my order arrive?
We start preparing your bottle once your order is placed and dispatch within 2 business days. From dispatch, delivery is UK 3 to 7 business days, EU 5 to 10 business days, US 2 to 5 business days.
The Surface€45

Small batch. Filled for you. Made in EU and US.

Vegan · Cruelty-free · Full INCI on every product · hello@ovessi.com