Wrinkles Archives * Style Chicks

Home Light Therapy: the FDA Cleared Professional reVive dpl IIa for Wrinkles and Acne Reduction

March 6, 2018 · 23 Comments

As part of our Style Chicks 2018 Hair and Skin Care Series, we’re exploring the advantages of home light therapy for improving skin. LED light therapy builds collagen, reduces wrinkles, improves acne, fades discoloration and scars. A high-quality light therapy device is a worthwhile investment. We recently tried the reVive dpl® IIa – Professional Wrinkle Reduction and Acne Treatment Light Therapy, which is an FDA-cleared, OTC Class II medical device that’s a lightweight panel big enough to cover the entire face at once. It uses powerful LED diodes that emit safe light therapy that tackles acne and wrinkles while building collagen.

WHAT LIGHT THERAPY DOES FOR SKIN

Backed by numerous clinical studies, blue and red light therapy are both effective, pain-free, chemical-free, non-invasive way to improve the skin’s texture, tone, and firmness.

WHAT THE REVIVE dpl® IIa PANEL DOES

This device is for acne treatment and wrinkles. Today we focus primarily on the anti-wrinkle/anti-aging aspect of this device.

It reduces wrinkles by promoting collagen production. More collagen means stronger, more elastic skin with less sagging.

The device also improves skin tone, texture and reduces hyperpigmentation, which promotes the appearance of healthy, glowing, and youthful skin.

The reVive dpl® IIa is the only full-face professional light therapy devices with FDA clearance for in-home use.

THE REVIVE DPL® IIa SET INCLUDES:

Device
AC/DC power supply
Instruction manual
Goggles
One year warranty

HOW DOES THE REVIVE DPL® IIa RATE?

As beauty bloggers, we’ve tried many at-home light therapy products. The reVive DPL® IIa is in a class by itself. This light is powerful and consistently even, and feels much more like an in-office caliber treatment than other commercially available light therapy devices we’ve tried.

GOGGLES

The goggles say optional, but in my opinion, they are mandatory. The reason is that even with the goggles AND my eyes closed, I can still see the brightness of the light, just like a professional in-office IPL or light therapy treatment.

But I do like using these goggles, though, as they’re designed to fit just over the actual eye, exposing the maximum amount of orbital skin area for treatment. This allows dark circles, sagging upper lids and browbones, and the general orbital skin to get treatment, including crow’s feet.

The goggles are adjustable to be secure but comfortable.

FULL-FACE TREATMENT AT ONCE

This book-sized device covers your entire face (and much of throat) at once, making for faster and evener treatment.

DEEPLY SATURATED COLORED LIGHT

This device produces a powerful light! The whole wall behind you will be illuminated with color like a neon sign. Once you see that, other at-home light therapy devices pale in comparison. It’s not that other devices can’t deliver results, but if I’m going to spend the time and money do light therapy at home, I want a powerfully effective device.

The reVive dpl IIa bathes you in colored light

MULTIPLE LIGHT THERAPY MODES

Choose the red or blue light setting, or use both at once.

RED LIGHT WRINKLE SETTING

RED LIGHT jump-starts tissue rejuvenation by increasing blood flow and collagen stimulation. Red light therapy significantly improves skin complexion, tone, and texture. It also reduces roughness, wrinkles, and fine lines. In clinical studies, Ultrasonographic tests show red light therapy increases collagen.

BLUE LIGHT ACNE SETTING

BLUE LIGHT is used to treat acne because it eliminates bacteria, reduces inflammation and redness, stabilizes oil glands, fades old and new scars and discoloration. This is especially helpful for adult acne, as the harsh drying methods we may have used as a teen are too rough on adult skin, especially wrinkling skin.

COMBO MODE: BOTH RED AND BLUE AT ONCE SETTING

Treat wrinkles and acne simultaneously with both red and blue light. This mode uses all of the colored light diodes for a super powerful light therapy treatment. The combo of works very effectively for wrinkles and maximizes light therapy based collagen production while fading discoloration and redness.

Interested in the expanded details on how these specific colors of light therapy work from a clinical view? Read our upcoming post covering all the need to know science behind home light therapy.

Using the device for a dual red and blue light therapy treatment. The diodes are powerful enough to cover my face, neck, palms, and the wall behind me in intense colored light

EASE OF USE

It’s comfortable on the skin, there is no burning or any discomfort at all, it’s quite relaxing. The device opens like a book, and it’s easy to hold the device for treatment right on the face. It’s lightweight like a Kindle tablet and can be propped up if needed.

It beeps at every minute interval until the treatment is over and it shuts itself off.

TIP: Before a light therapy session, apply an SPF-free serum or moisturizer for maximum benefit.

This device is a collagen-building lifesaver for those with sensitive skin who cannot tolerate Vitamin C serums or Retinol because it works without any irritation, redness or dryness.

The device is lightweight like a Kindle tablet and opens like a book for a double paneled treatment display

RESULTS

The reduction of wrinkles, fine lines, and crows feet are the hallmark of this light therapy device. My eleven lines appeared less deep and long even after a few uses. I find both eleven and smile lines look much smoother the day after I use the reVive DPL® IIa and my skin appears brighter.

I’m particularly happy with the ability to treat the eye area including crows feet, my undereye area gets a nice treatment of wrinkle reduction and lightening discoloration. The long-term ability to build collagen along the upper eyelid and browbone turns back time in a way that a topical eye cream alone cannot.

When I use the device at night before bed, my skin also has a lovely glow to it in the morning, I look more vibrant and awake, my skin tone seems more rosy and even.

Since using the device, I tend to use less foundation and concealer so the glow of my skin can shine through.

CONCLUSION

An outstanding addition to your at-home anti-aging arsenal, the reVive dpl® IIa – Professional Wrinkle Reduction and Acne Treatment Light Therapy provides powerful, professional quality results in an easy-to-use device that takes just minutes to use. This highly worthwhile investment treats face, throat, decolletage, and hands whenever you want.

This FDA-cleared, OTC Class II medical device is lightweight and covers the entire face at once for fast, even treatment. The three light mode settings deliver precious collagen building therapeutic light, which over the course of a few months, makes a meaningful difference in the strength, firmness, texture, and appearance of skin.

Treating adult acne and wrinkles at the same time is tricky business. Up next is all the details on using reVive dpl® IIa – Professional Wrinkle Reduction and Acne Treatment Light Therapy for acne treatment.

WHERE TO BUY IT

Find the reVive dpl® IIa – Professional Wrinkle Reduction and Acne Treatment Light Therapy at https://revivelighttherapy.com/product/dpl-iia-wrinkle-reduction-acne-treatment/

Style Chicks received the reVive dpl® IIa – Professional Wrinkle Reduction and Acne Treatment Light Therapy Panel for review purposes. However, our experience with the product and the opinions expressed in this review are 100% ours.

Senior skincare: Retinol and Vitamin C Results For The Over 65 Crowd

February 12, 2018 · 21 Comments

Age Spots.

Have you ever actually thought about how offensive that phrase is? As if I forget my AARP status, and need to be reminded by hyperpigmentation.

And let’s not even get into the patronizing terms like “laugh lines”. I’m not trying to deny my age, but there is nothing wrong with wanting to look good for your age. That’s why I love Lordsbury Retinol+C Moisturizer for signs of aging like wrinkles, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation.

There are special considerations when it comes to skincare for mature skin. The younger women here at Style Chicks use Lordsbury Retinol+C Moisturizer as a preventative measure, or to nip a problem in the bud. For me, I’m trying to not only prevent further aging, but to reverse the damage that has been done over time by both intrinsic and extrinsic dermal aging. In other words, we’re not just fighting what time has done to us, we’re fighting what UV exposure, pollution, and a host of other factors have done to our skin over the years.

Let’s consider some of the signs of aging that Lordsbury Retinol+C Moisturizer works for:

Lordsbury Retinol+C Cream Moisturizer: the all-in-one anti-aging weapon

WRINKLES

Wrinkles occur due to thinning of the skin, loss of facial muscle mass, damage to collagen and the reduction of collagen production after age 30, and dehydration of the outer layer of the skin. While the loss of facial muscle mass is best left to the facial exercises that suddenly seem to be popular (and a good diet), Lordsbury Retinol+C Moisturizer is highly effective for the rest of the causes of wrinkles.

Thinning of skin can be caused by a number of factors and leads to the dreaded “crepey skin” appearance. If the skin is thinner and the skin is dryer on the outer layers, then you have a perfect environment for wrinkles and lines to form. Add to that the intrinsic rapid loss of collagen starting at age 30 and rapidly decreasing in production each year, and wrinkles form.

Lordsbury Retinol+C Moisturizer treats the causes of wrinkles by using a high-grade Retinol to increase cell turnover and increase collagen production. This softens wrinkles and effectively treats fine lines. This increased cell turnover and increased collagen production lead to thicker, smoother skin that acts younger than your true “skin age”. Which means it looks better. Vitamin C protects your “new skin” from pollution, free radicals, and other extrinsic aging factors.

Lordsbury contains pure Retinol, Vitamin C Serum, Hyaluronic and a host of natural moisturizers all in one cream

Lordsbury’s formula also contains Hyaluronic Acid, which helps with the appearance of crepey skin by boosting moisture content in the outer layers of skin, so skin looks plump and glowy. In addition to everyone’s favorite ingredient Hyaluronic Acid, the moisturizer also contains natural and organic Wildcrafted Green Tea, Organic Aloe Vera, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Sunflower Oil, Shea Butter, and Vitamins B5 and E. That is quite the humectant combo to keep your skin in top hydrated form! These ingredients also buffer the Retinol so you won’t experience the usual side effects of Retinol products: redness, flaking, and dry skin.

HYPERPIGMENTATION

Maybe you tanned in your 20s. Maybe you weren’t diligent with sunscreen. Maybe you have dark spots due to acne scars. Or you just have bad genetics. Years of any of these factors can lead to hyperpigmentation. Anytime you pick up a beauty magazine, you read about the latest K-Beauty trend – Glass Skin, Cloudless Skin, etc. What is the goal of any of these trends? To get skin that is free of hyperpigmentation, which is a hallmark of young skin.

Both Retinol and Vitamin C work to decrease hyperpigmentation and improve the clarity of skin. When you start a Retinol program, you might notice a slight darkening and tightening of spots on your face. Don’t give up! That means that the deeper levels of hyperpigmentation are rising to the surface and will soon exfoliate off. In fact, seeing that initial but brief darkening if how I know that any Retinol product is working!

Lordsbury Retinol+C Moisturizer is gentle enough to use around the eyes, so you don’t need a separate eye cream. It is amazing for getting rid of fine lines and smoothing the delicate orbital skin.

Don’t forget about the other “tell-tale” areas of skin that show aging, as well. Use Lordsbury Retinol+C Moisturizer on your throat and décolletage. At a generous 2.8 oz, Lordsbury Retinol+C Moisturizer can treat all these areas gently and effectively.

Lordbury Retinol+C Cream Moisturizer comes in a generous 2.8 ounce size pump bottle, and only one pump is needed for face and throat

Of course, just because we’re old enough to have seen two serial versions of Poldark AND two versions of Dynasty doesn’t mean that we can slack off on the basics: SPF is a daily prerequisite for everyone regardless of age or skincare routine. However, using it on mature skin is especially needed to prevent further extrinsic aging and protect the skin on the whole. SPF is also necessary for anyone on a Retinol program.

Aging isn’t a bad thing. Aging gracefully is a worthy goal. But that doesn’t negate taking care of your skin and looking like the best version of yourself. Lordsbury Retinol+C Moisturizer is a great way to make your mature skin look optimal!

WHERE TO BUY IT

Find Lordsbury Retinol+C Moisturizer on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M3PSEQX/

Lordsbury Retinol+C Cream Moisturizer contains both 2.5% pure Retinol and 20% Vitamin C Serum

Style Chicks received compensation for our time and effort as Brand Ambassadors of Lordsbury. However, our experience with the product and the opinions expressed in this review are 100% ours.

(Editor’s Note: We haven’t seen the reboot of Dynasty. Everyone at Style Chicks does, however, obsess during every episode of Poldark over how perfect Demelza’s and Caroline’s skin is, even without the benefit of Lordsbury Retinol+C Moisturizer. Even Aunt Agatha has fantastic skin considering her age. That pop-culture disclosure isn’t required by the FCC, but we still think you should know.)

Multi-Tasking Uses of Retinol Series: Retinol for Stretch Marks, Acne, Wrinkles, and Discoloration

September 25, 2017 · Leave a Comment

If you were stranded on a desert island with only one skincare treatment product, what would it be? If your answer is Retinol, you made an excellent choice: Retinol treats so many skin care problems that it is a true-multitasker. Retinol treats a host of skin care issues regardless of your age. This week in a two-part series we cover five primary Retinol skin care uses that are game-changers for your skin. Today we cover how to use Retinol for stretch marks, wrinkles, and discoloration.

Lordsbury Retinol+C Moisturizer tackles a host of skin care problems including Acne, Stretch Marks, Wrinkles, Discoloration, and Dark Circles. It contains all-natural retinol-buffering moisturizers built right in like Aloe Vera, Green Tea, Sunflower Oil, Jojoba and Vitamin E as well as 20% Vitamin C.

RETINOL FOR STRETCH MARKS

As mentioned in our recent article “Skin Care for Busy Moms“, Stretch marks are often associated with pregnancy but also happen during weight loss or gain and even if a teen grows quickly, small stretch marks can appear. Stretch marks can also occur as a side effect of steroid use, and some medical conditions, such as diabetes cause stretch marks due to inflammation and thinning of the skin.

Regardless of their source, Retinol is amazing at tackling stretchmarks whether they are currently forming, new or several years old.

HOW IT WORKS
Retinol encourages the formation of collagen, which helps the skin to heal, and it redistributes excess or abnormal pigmentation, meaning skin takes on a more even tone. Few products can address a stretch mark once they appear lighter than the rest of the surrounding skin like Retinol can.

Attacking stretch marks while they are still dark (sometimes red or even purple) is the best plan of attack, combining Retinol directly all over the skin, focusing in on the line-like marks, with a moisturizer like Cocoa Butter or Shea Butter and preferably a skin nourisher like Aloe Vera. We like Lordsbury Retinol+C Cream Moisturizer for stretch marks for several reasons. It combines 2.5% pure retinol with 20% Vitamin C (also important for collagen formation) plus skin nourishers including Aloe Vera and Shea Butter that keep skin supple and pliable to help pre-empt stretch marks before they form.

We also like Lordsbury Retinol+C Cream Moisturizer because Retinol Stretchmark treatments are surprisingly expensive, often costing more than similar treatments intended for the face. A quick Google search gave results in the $60-$90 range for Retinol products intended for stretchmarks, whereas Lordsbury Retinol+C costs a fraction of that, contains natural and superior ingredients and comes in a huge 2.8-ounce bottle. For treating stretch marks, it is tough to beat this combination at this price point. Another good feature of Lordsbury is that it contains Shea Butter, a traditional stretch mark remedy that heals and softens skin, but it is not sticky or greasy when used within the Lordsbury formulation, which dries down clean and can be worn under clothing to treat stretch marks.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?
Reports of Dermatological studies indicate women with severe cases of post-pregnancy stretch marks obtained meaningful results within six months, many seeing results sooner. While this may feel like a long time, even if it takes the full six months, if you start now, your stretch marks will be fixed by beach weather next summer!

Lordsbury Retinol+C Moisturizer comes in a huge 2.8 ounce size bottle for far less than the price of many Stretch Mark creams that contain only a fraction of the active ingredients contained in Lordsbury

RETINOL FOR WRINKLES

Wrinkles are caused by repetitive facial movements and skin sagging. Delicate skin areas wrinkle first because they have less support when sagging starts to occur. The best defense is 1) to keep the formation of the skin as strong as possible to bear the weight of said sagging, and 2) to mitigate the appearance of existing wrinkles by smoothing their surface and lightening them.

Collagen is the scaffolding of the skin, if there is not enough collagen, it is like pulling bricks out of a wall, eventually, it starts to sag under the weight. Skin loses collagen as we age, and we don’t replace it fast enough to avoid sagging. Fortunately, Retinol promotes the collagen production process regardless of our age, and in tandem with topical Vitamin C, can reduce the sagging surrounding the wrinkle, alleviating the weight of unsupported skin. This over time reduces the wrinkle.

WRINKLE DISCOLORATION: Wrinkled skin also tends to gain discoloration, especially in the receded valley of the wrinkle, effectively creating a shadow. With consistent retinol use, discoloration fades, and the valley of the wrinkle visually appears less dark and thereby less deep.

SMOOTHER WRINKLE SURFACE: Retinol also improves the appearance of the wrinkle by refining the texture of the skin, making existing wrinkles look smoother. If your wrinkles look better after a peel or exfoliation, then Retinol is likely to make your wrinkles appear finer and less noticeable.

DISCOLORATION & UNEVEN SKIN TONE

Whether from acne marks, scarring, or sun damage most of us experience some form of discoloration on our faces. As mentioned before, Retinol breaks up excess pigmentation and disperses it to make the skin tone appear even. But some discoloration is in the deeper layers of the skin, making many topical lightening products incapable of effecting meaningful change. If your discoloration is from sunbathing from years ago, or from very old, darkened acne marks that won’t fade, then they are likely discoloration found deeper in the skin and require a combination of Retinol and Hyaluronic Acid to affect results.

Hyaluronic Acid has the unique capability to absorb moisture to plump the skin, it also is a smaller enough molecule that it can slip into deeper skin layers. This means any active ingredient paired with Hyaluronic Acid can slip into these deep skin layers like it has a guest VIP pass, meaning Retinol paired with Hyaluronic Acid can tackle even very deep, old scars and sun-damaged layers of skin. You can purchase Hyaluronic Acid and Retinol separately and apply them both at the same time, or you can use a Retinol that already contains Hyaluronic, such as Lordsbury Retinol+C Cream Moisturizer.

Lordsbury Retinol+C Cream Moisturizer contains Retinol to accelerate cell regeneration to fade old discoloration, and Vitamin C to prevent future discoloration, and Hyaluronic Acid to aid in deep absorption. It also contains several natural moisturizers to soothe and nourish skin for a more youthful look.

CONCLUSION

Lordsbury Retinol+ C Cream Moisturizer contains natural organic ingredients to soothe and nourish skin while treating common stubborn skin problems such as stretch marks, discoloration, and wrinkles. In our next article, find out how Lordsbury Retinol+C Cream Moisturizer can also be a powerhouse beauty secret for also treating acne and dark circles. Stay tuned!

WHERE TO BUY IT

Find Lordsbury Retinol+C Cream Moisturizer at Amazon here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M3PSEQX/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=lordsbury-20&linkId=80ce0c85b497e19a5480f6b096cc3147

Style Chicks received compensation for our time and effort as Brand Ambassadors of Lordsbury. However, our experience with the product and the opinions expressed in this review are 100% ours.

Favorite Skincare Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid

February 24, 2017 · Leave a Comment

Like an Instagram Filter for real life, Hyaluronic Acid plumps wrinkles & pores with intense hydration, making skin appear instantly youthful & dewy.

Hyaluronic Acid is by far one of our favorite skincare ingredients; we always look for it in serums and moisturizers because it makes skin look fantastic as it plumps out wrinkles and crinkles and makes skin glow. But Hyaluronic Acid won “beauty secret weapon” status in our StyleChicks Favorite Skincare Ingredients Series because it helps any anti-aging active ingredient work more efficiently. Learn about the short term and long term benefits of Hyaluronic Acid.

WHAT HYALURONIC ACID DOES

Hyaluronic Acid gets “beauty secret weapon” status due to its’ ability to hold enormous amounts of moisture; it can draw moisture from the air, sucking it into the skin. This moisture drawing ability has a dual benefit. Not only does it make skin as plump and dewy as possible, creating an environment where the skin contains as much hydration as it can hold, but it uses this water drawing ability to pull active ingredients deeper into the skin.

BENEFITS OF HOLDING MOISTURE

Wrinkles, fine lines, and pores temporarily “plump out” from all the moisture until they are barely visible, yet it does not make the skin seem puffy or bloated. Hyaluronic Acid works wonders on crows feet, eleven lines, wrinkles on and around the mouth, forehead lines, and smile lines.
Hyaluronic Acid causes an optical blur effect, smoothing tiny imperfections in skin including on the throat, chest, and decolletage

IT SERVES AS AN ACTIVE INGREDIENT BOOSTER

Many active ingredients that are amazing for the skin such as MSM, Vitamin C, Retinol, Peptides, B3, and Buckthorn Oil all do their best work in the deeper layers of the skin. But their molecules are typically too large to absorb deeply. Hyaluronic Acid is like a friend with VIP access; it uses its’ moisture pulling ability to draw these active ingredients into deeper skin layers. The deeper active ingredients can work, the better the collagen production.

This means deep discoloration, sun damage, and acne scars are all fade for a much clearer look to the skin. And when collagen production happens at a deeper level, it better supports for skin, resulting in less sagging.

WHAT IS HYALURONIC ACID?

Hyaluronic Acid occurs naturally in the skin, but it depletes as we age, and the body does not make more. Topical Hyaluronic Acid application in the form of a cream, gel or serum replaces levels in the skin, giving a youthful glow.

HYALURONIC ACID USE TIPS

It is imperative to use a moisturizer over your Hyaluronic Acid, as it draws as much moisture as possible into the skin. If Hyaluronic Acid can’t get enough moisture, the surface of the skin can appear DRY, because the Hyaluronic is still “thirsty.” I like to apply Hyaluronic Acid over damp skin; sometimes I mix a Hyaluronic cream or serum with some water before applying it to my face and eye area.
A small amount of serum or cream will cover your face. Apply more if needed, focusing on wrinkles, pores on the cheeks, and the wrinkles on the forehead and throat.
Apply Hyaluronic Acid over a Vitamin C serum or Peptide Serum to maximize your results
Do you use an at-home device such Handheld Light Therapy or the NuFace? Instead of the conductive cream, apply your intensive treatment serum first then apply a Hyaluronic Acid cream over that and Aloe Vera on top for better results. The Hyaluronic Acid drives the serum in deeper.
If you live in an area with higher environmental pollution, consider only using Hyaluronic Acid at night so that it does not pull the pollutants into your skin from the air.

Some Hyaluronic Acid creams and serums we like:

Aurora Cure Ultimate 100% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum: Professional Strength: a clear serum, not sticky, very potent, as it is 100% Hyaluronic, no fillers. I like to apply this during the daytime after I wash my face and it is still moist, I lightly apply the Hyaluronic, then pat on two light coats of moisturizer (Clinique Dramatically Different for example) and spritz my face with water in between layers to lock in hydration. Also very useful paired with a Vitamin C serum, but make sure to add a moisturizer on top!
SERUM CEUTICALS ALBUMIN & HYALURONIC ACID SERUM This is not a straight Hyaluronic, but the Albumin and Hyaluronic pairing together work wonders at reviving tired, older looking skin, and this has no chemicals or preservatives. Cool feature: this can be used ON EYELIDS (!!) without causing irritation.
Hyaluronic Acid Beauty Cream from Puritan’s Pride: They could charge a fortune for this cream, but instead, they sell a tub of 4 ounces for under $10, and it is frequently on the Puritan’s Pride Buy 2 Get 3 Free Sale, making it an absolute steal. It is amazing when applied to the throat, the face, jowls, on the shoulders, hands, and decolletage, use sparingly around the eyes. When it is applied, enlarged pores disappear, forehead wrinkles appear practically non-existent.

Know a Hyaluronic Acid that should be on this list? Contact us or tell us about it in the comment section below!

Favorite Skincare Ingredients: Glycolic Acid (AHA): The No-Peeling Anti-Aging Skin Peel

February 23, 2017 · Leave a Comment

Glycolic Acid (AHA) is the covert operator of the StyleChicks Favorite Skincare Ingredients series because it gives suspiciously good, younger-than-expected skin results with virtually no downtime, skin flaking or peeling. Regular AHA peels reveal softer, younger skin with a refined texture, all while reducing pores, fine lines, discoloration, brown spots & acne.

ABOUT GLYCOLIC ACID (AHA)

AHA (also known as Glycolic Acid) works in an unusual way: it loosens the “glue” that adheres dry, dead skin to healthy skin, and just dissolves away the dead skin. That means skin is left with little to no peeling or sloughing sections, and if done correctly; there is little in the way of dryness, redness or irritation after use. Skin is brighter, younger, softer, with few lines and wrinkles, and it glows like younger skin.

WHY WE LIKE IT

We prefer Glycolic Acid to other types of exfoliants because there is no rough, abrasive scrubbing involved. Scrubbing with or without harsh grains can tear and damage healthy skin. AHA gets the job done with no pulling, tugging, or tearing of the skin, which makes AHA particularly useful to those over 35 or for those with skin conditions such as acne or eczema.

With an AHA peel, there is almost never the uneven peeling that often comes with many chemical peels or scrubs, so there is less post-peel downtime with AHA. Skin is just soft and dewy looking, not red and irritated. While skin can get red and irritated from AHA, as long as it is done properly, irritation will be short-lived, so it makes for an excellent anti-aging product.

GLYCOLIC ACID IS ACNE’S DOWNFALL

As a side benefit, AHA banishes blackheads like nobody’s business. Those oil and sebum pockets just wither in the face of an AHA treatment. While a product like Avon’s Clinical ANEW is geared towards anti-aging measures, a side benefit of AHA use is how quickly stubborn nose blackheads purge from the skin.

WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROM AHA?

Delicate and aging skin that benefits from not being pulled and scrubbed by abrasive exfoliants or dermabrasion treatments.
Acne prone skin and skin with stubborn blackheads.
Those who are on Vitamin C Serum and Retinol programs. These products cause newer, younger skin cells to be generated rapidly and require sloughing off the dead skin to be most effective.
Many with eczema report that they can use Glycolic Acid. Talk to your dermatologist about precautions based on your personal skincare profile.

HOW TO USE GLYCOLIC ACID AT HOME

Super effective as an in-office treatment, AHA peels it can be safely done at home with serums under 30%. A 35% AHA is acceptable to use if it contains a deactivating or buffering agent, or it is diluted before application.

New to AHA? Stick with 10% and work your way up to higher concentrations. AHA concentration levels greater than 35% are readily available online, but only professionals should only use these strengths undiluted. Since such excellent results are obtainable with the regular use of lower concentration AHA, don’t be tempted into one “big” peel at a high concentration, it is more risk than benefit.

BEST USE TIPS:

ALWAYS use sunscreen in the days after an AHA peel.
Moisturize well, especially that evening before going to bed.
Do an at-home peel serum at least monthly.
Use only gentle facial cleansers for 24 hours after using AHA.
Some light stinging is to be expected, but if your skin feels a burning sensation or hurts, wash the AHA off immediately.
Apply evenly in a thin coat.

RECOMMENDED AHA GLYCOLIC PRODUCTS

Finding a reputable manufacturer is the primary concern when selecting Glycolic Acids. Choose an AHA designed for consumers, not professionals such as those marketed to a salon. Some Glycolic Acid products we have had success with include:

Serum Ceuticals AHA Pro Grade Glycolic: effective, all natural. We like this line because AHA doesn’t alter newer skin unless it irritates it with chemical additives, and this product has NO chemicals, just natural preservatives.
- One of our fave go-to peels, it can be safely used on even delicate skin areas such as on fine lines around the upper lip.
- Serum Ceuticals AHA comes in 10% and 35% concentrations.
- If you use the 35% AHA, we highly recommend mixing the AHA liquid into a dollop of Beta Glucan cream and applying the mixture to the skin, then applying a layer of Beta Glucan afterward as a moisturizer to soothe the skin and reduce redness and irritation.
InstaNatural Glycolic Facial Peel: skin is instantly brighter when dead skin is swept away in less than a minute, no downtime.
- Paired with Sunflower Oil, Vitamin C, and Hyaluronic Acid
- While it does sting delicate areas, once you build a tolerance to the product, it can be used for 10-15 minutes for a highly effective peel. I especially like the acne eliminating properties of this peel.
Avon ANEW Clinical Retexturizing Peel: a whopping 35% AHA soaked pad that comes with a built-in deactivator and soothing Aloe Vera, so it is safe to use at home.
- It stings a bit on sensitive areas at first, like a rubbing alcohol on a paper cut kind of sensation.
- Particular effective on forehead wrinkles and “eleven lines.”
- Use every other day for better texture and brighter skin.
- ANEW Clinical is especially effective at reducing enlarged pores and eliminating blackheads
- TIP: Try using the pads on tell-tale aged skin areas like hands and throat as well

Know of a Glycolic Peel AHA that should be included in this list? Contact us or comment below!