Shop TODAY 2026 Award: QRxLabs 20% Glycolic Pads Reviewed

QRxLabs 20% Glycolic Acid Pads Win Best Exfoliating Pads at the 2026 Shop TODAY Beauty Awards

Our 20% Glycolic Acid Resurfacing Pads won Best Exfoliating Pads in the 2026 Shop TODAY Beauty Awards [1]. The award coverage comes from the NBC/Today.com editorial team and is not sponsored. The pads sell for $24.90 on Amazon, and they earned the award after hands-on testing.

The awards program tested 420 products and named 120 winners, per Shop TODAY's Beauty Awards coverage [2]. Winning a single category in a field that large is a checkable, earned outcome. Below, we walk you through how the testing worked, what the testers reported, and the ingredient science behind the 20% formula.

Inside the Shop TODAY Beauty Awards Testing Process

The Shop TODAY Beauty Awards run on hands-on testing across skin, hair, body, and makeup categories. Editors and producers use the products in real routines, then report what they observed. The program is run by the Today.com commerce team, which is part of NBC.

A dermatologist review layer sits on top of that testing. Dr. Marisa Garshick, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor at Weill Cornell Medicine, was part of the panel that reviewed award winners' ingredients. That credential is public and verifiable.

The validation is independent. The award coverage comes from a third-party publisher, not from us [3]. When you read the tester notes in the next section, you are reading outside observations, not brand copy.

What Shop TODAY Testers Noticed

Shop TODAY testers used the pads in their own routines and reported specific results. Here is what they recorded, attributed to Shop TODAY:

• Sun spots and brightness: After a few weeks, one tester said sun spots seemed lighter and brighter, and skin was clear from acne [2].
• Sensitive-skin comfort: The same tester noted the formula was gentle enough for sensitive skin, with no tingling or burning sensation, and the scent was not overwhelming.
• A subtle stickiness that dries down: Associate producer Cassidy McKenna described a very subtle stickiness after using the pad, which dries before you continue the routine [1].
• A dewy finish: McKenna said the pad left her face with a dewy look and feel [3].
• Fits a simple routine: One tester called it an easy step that could work well for a tired parent running a simple routine of cleansing and moisturizer.

The full tester reviews live on Shop TODAY. We paraphrase here and quote only short passages so you can see the source language for yourself.

What Is Glycolic Acid and How Does It Work?

Glycolic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). It is the smallest AHA by molecular size, which lets it penetrate the skin more deeply than larger acids, per Cleveland Clinic's glycolic acid explainer. That small molecular size is the reason glycolic acid is used so often as a chemical exfoliant.

The mechanism is direct. Glycolic acid loosens the bonds that hold dead skin cells together at the surface. When those bonds release, dull surface cells shed faster, and turnover speeds up.

Concentration drives the depth of that effect. A 20% formula delivers a resurfacing step that a lower-strength daily product usually cannot match. For a fuller breakdown of AHA chemistry and routine placement, see our Glycolic Acid 101 guide.

What's in the Formula: Key Actives in QRxLabs' 20% Pads

The pads pair a high-strength exfoliant with supporting actives. Each pad comes fully saturated, per the Amazon listing [4]. Here is what each ingredient does:

• 20% glycolic acid: The primary exfoliant. It drives the resurfacing and turnover effect described above.
• Vitamin C: An antioxidant that supports brightening alongside the exfoliation.
• Calendula extract: A calming, soothing botanical that helps offset the strength of the acid.
• Vitamin B5 (panthenol): A humectant that hydrates and soothes.
• Vitamin E: An antioxidant that supports the skin's surface.
• Allantoin: A soothing agent that calms the skin.
• Witch hazel: An astringent noted in the Shop TODAY review that helps refine the look of pores [1].

Each jar contains 50 pads made of a soft, non-woven material with a waffle-textured surface, per the Amazon listing. The texture assists the physical sweep while the actives do the chemical work.

Benefits of a 20% Glycolic Acid Pad

A 20% pad concentrates several actions into one step. The benefits below reflect both the ingredient science and the tester outcomes reported by Shop TODAY:

• Exfoliates dead skin cells at the surface, which is the core action of glycolic acid.
• Helps unclog pores and reduce breakouts. One Shop TODAY tester reported skin that was clear from acne after a few weeks.
• Supports cell turnover tied to smoother, healthier-looking skin over time.
• Fades the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation. A tester noted sun spots that seemed lighter and brighter.
• Smooths the look of fine lines.
• Improves overall texture and tone.

These are direct, evidence-backed outcomes. The tester notes are third-party observations from the award program, not brand promises. For a deeper walkthrough of results reported by real users, see our glycolic acid pads review guide.

Who Should Use 20% Glycolic Acid Pads, and Who Should Be Cautious

A 20% pad fits people managing specific concerns. You will likely benefit most if you are dealing with:

• Dullness or a lack of brightness
• Uneven texture
• Occasional breakouts and clogged pores
• Early signs of sun damage, such as sun spots

Some skin needs more caution. Be careful, or hold off, if you have:

• Sensitive or very dry skin
• Active rosacea or eczema
• An active skin infection

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, check with your doctor before use. We are not a medical provider, and this is general guidance, not a diagnosis.

Before your first full use, perform a patch test on a discreet skin area and discontinue use if irritation occurs. A patch test tells you how your skin tolerates the 20% strength before you apply it more widely.

How to Use QRxLabs 20% Glycolic Acid Pads

Follow this sequence for a clean, consistent application:

1. Cleanse and pat dry. Start with a freshly cleansed, completely dry face.
2. Swipe one pad. Wipe it gently over your face, neck, and décolleté, avoiding the eye and lip area.
3. Wait for absorption. Give the product a few minutes to fully absorb before applying anything else. Do not rinse unless the instructions say to.
4. Hydrate and moisturize. Follow with a hydrating serum, such as our Hydrolific Serum, and a moisturizer.
5. Add SPF in the morning. Finish with broad-spectrum SPF 30+, because glycolic acid increases sun sensitivity.

Frequency for the 20% strength

Start at 1 to 2 times per week if you are new to glycolic acid, then build up gradually as your skin tolerates it. If you want a gentler, more frequent step, a lower-concentration 10% pad is the softer entry point. For the fuller frequency framework, see our routine guide.

A note on layering and finish

Skip the pad on nights you apply other harsh acids like retinol, per the Shop TODAY tester [2]. And expect a subtle, temporary stickiness: let the pad fully dry before your next routine step, as the tester described.

Pads vs. Peels vs. Serums: Where 20% Glycolic Acid Pads Fit

Glycolic acid comes in several formats, and each handles dosing differently.

• Pads are single-use and pre-measured, with no rinsing required. The dose is built in, so every application is consistent.
• Leave-on serums are measured in drops and layered into a routine. They let you fine-tune the amount you apply, which suits people who want tighter dose control.
• Two-step peel systems separate an exfoliating step from a neutralizing step. They often combine multiple acids for a stronger single treatment.

The practical trade-off comes down to control and effort. Pads give you portion control and repeatable results with almost no setup. Serums give you finer adjustment. Two-step peels give you a more intensive session that needs more steps.

QRxLabs makes both 10% and 20% pad strengths, so you can step up as tolerance builds. See the full range on our glycolic acid collection page.

Price and Format: QRxLabs 20% Pads vs. a Two-Step Glycolic Peel System

A two-step glycolic peel and a pre-soaked pad both deliver a glycolic exfoliation step, but the price per use differs sharply. Dr. Dennis Gross reports its own study figures for the Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel: 92% saw a brighter, firmer, clearer complexion in 1 week; 100% saw improved hydration in 2 weeks; and 85% showed improved texture in 2 weeks, in a 28-person study. Those figures are the brand's own self-reported study results, unverified by a third party.

QRxLabs costs meaningfully less per use while still providing a 20%-strength glycolic step. That supports our position: science-backed exfoliation that stays affordable.

For context, The Ordinary and First Aid Beauty are the glycolic-acid brands most often recommended in general skincare discussions. QRxLabs offers comparable active-ingredient science at a comparable or lower price point per Amazon pricing. This comparison is factual and not intended to disparage those brands.

Frequently Asked Questions

How soon will I see results from a 20% glycolic acid pad?

Texture and brightness often shift within the first couple of weeks of consistent use, consistent with the Shop TODAY tester notes above. Deeper changes, like the look of hyperpigmentation and fine lines, build over longer, regular use.

Is 20% too strong for a first-time glycolic acid user?

For many first-time users, 20% is workable at a low frequency, but it depends on your skin. Start at 1 to 2 times per week and patch test first. If you have sensitive or reactive skin, a 10% pad is a gentler starting concentration you can use more often.

Can glycolic acid pads be used on the body, not just the face?

The QRxLabs instructions direct use across the face, neck, and décolleté. Some people extend glycolic exfoliation to areas like the upper arms or back, but that is outside the labeled routine. Patch test any new area first, and avoid broken or irritated skin.

Do glycolic acid pads expire, and how should they be stored?

Skincare products carry expiration and period-after-opening dates, and glycolic acid pads are no exception. Keep the jar sealed tightly between uses so the pads stay saturated and the actives stay stable. Store them out of direct sunlight and away from heat, and check the packaging for the specific date.

Can I wear makeup or sunscreen right after using a glycolic acid pad?

Wait a few minutes for the pad to fully dry and absorb before layering anything on top. Once it dries down, follow with a hydrating serum, moisturizer, and, in the morning, broad-spectrum SPF 30+. Because glycolic acid raises sun sensitivity, daytime sunscreen is not optional.

Is it safe to use glycolic acid pads while pregnant or breastfeeding?

Check with your doctor before using glycolic acid pads during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Guidance varies by person and by product, and your physician can weigh your full routine. We do not give medical advice and cannot replace that consultation.

Key Takeaways

• Independent award. The QRxLabs 20% Glycolic Acid Resurfacing Pads won Best Exfoliating Pads in the 2026 Shop TODAY Beauty Awards, chosen from a field of 420 tested products and 120 winners [1].
• Dermatologist review. Award winners' ingredients passed a panel review that included board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick, M.D., of Weill Cornell Medicine.
• The formula. 20% glycolic acid drives the resurfacing, supported by vitamin C, calendula, vitamins B5 and E, allantoin, and witch hazel.
• Tester outcomes. Shop TODAY testers reported sun spots that seemed lighter and brighter, skin clear from acne, and no tingling or burning, with a dewy finish.
• Safe use. Start at 1 to 2 times per week, patch test first, follow with SPF, and skip nights when you use other harsh acids like retinol.
• Value. At $24.90 for 50 pads, the price per use runs far below a two-step peel system while still delivering a 20% glycolic step.

Ready to add an award-winning exfoliation step to your routine? Shop the 20% Glycolic Acid Resurfacing Pads, or browse the full QRxLabs collection.