If you’ve been scouring the internet for the best Biologique Recherche P50 alternatives, you’ve come to the right place. In case you aren’t aware, the beloved exfoliating treatment—which was around for more than 50 years and a staple in facials everywhere—is now being discontinued in the United States due to the formula’s inclusion of phenols, an intensive exfoliator that the Food and Drug Administration has banned from use in cosmetic skin-care products.
The online beauty community is shook to its core over the news, and some people have turned to stockpiling the product. But board-certified dermatologists like Rachel Nazarian, MD, who’s based in New York City, recommend trying something entirely new. “You’re not going to find exactly the same thing available in any other product, likely because the ingredients they were using were very intense and not necessarily good for everyone,” she says.
Speaking of derms, we tapped a few of our favorites to learn about their favorite alternatives to the beloved French skin-care treatment.
SkinMedica AHA/BHA Cream
The SkinMedica AHA/BHA Cream is a winner for anyone who wants an intensive blemish- and dark spot-reducing treatment, according to Carmen Castilla, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist. “This cream has a blend of exfoliating acids alongside antioxidants that protect from free radical damage,” she says. Though it contains the works in terms of intensive exfoliators (glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids are just the beginning), Dr. Castilla says its creamy formulation has moisturizing properties that won’t dry your skin out. “It is a multipurpose product that can cut down steps in your skin-care routine,” she says.
Murad Daily Clarifying Peel
Used P50 to clear pores? Dr. Nazarian vouches for the intensive acne-reducing formulation of the Murad AHA/BHA Retinoid Daily Clarifying Peel. “I think this does a great job of breaking up the bonds between skin cells and improving texture and tone, without some of the super irritating and inflammatory ingredients that other products use,” she says. As its name suggests, this max-strength treatment contains exfoliating salicylic and glycolic acids paired with the skin-tightening benefits of retinol for a smoother, brighter appearance to your complexion.
Obagi Nu-Derm Exfoderm Forte
If you want similar results without the sting of using Biologique Recherche P50, Arash Akhavan, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, recommends Obagi Medical’s Medical Nu-Derm Exfoderm Forte. “This is a once daily lotion that gently exfoliates the skin, promoting new skin cell growth and improvement in hyperpigmentation,” he says. This lightweight cream contains both glycolic acid and lactic acid to remove dead skin cells while glycerin and kalaya oil neutralize irritation, moisturize, and calm inflammation.
Cosrx AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner
Both Dr. Nazarian and Y. Claire Chang, MD, a New York City-based dermatologist, give the Cosrx AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner their stamps of approval for its affordable price tag, high-powered exfoliating duo of willowbark extract and glycolic acid, and soothing addition of panthenol and allantoin, which soften the sometimes harsh feel of exfoliating acids. “It combines exfoliators with hydrating ingredients so that this formula can be tolerable by just about everyone,” says Dr. Nazarian. “I also think the ingredients that these two products use is a little bit safer than what the P50 was using.” Dr. Chang also loves that it can help prep skin for products later in your skin-care routine.
Prequel Multi-Acid Milk Peel
One of Dr. Castilla’s favorite at-home peels is the Prequel Multi-Acid Milk Peel. “This has a combination of acids that can gently exfoliate the skin but doesn’t disrupt the skin barrier,” she says. The exfoliating complex in question includes a 15% concentration of glycolic, phytic, malic, mandelic, and lactic acids with squalane thrown into the mix for moisture replenishment.
