Glycolic pads and lotion

Left to right:
Lumavera Glycolic Night Cream
Peter Thomas Roth Un-Wrinkle Peel Pads
Skin + Pharmacy Glycolic Peel Pads
Nip & Fab Glycolic Fix  exfoliating facial pads
Nip & Fab Glycolic Fix Night Pads

Glycolic acid, AHA's and lactic acids are known for their ability to exfoliate and move the dead skin off your skin to show smoother and "new" skin. These are in lots of different products and can be subtle to outright heavy duty. I for one, love heavy duty! Read on for my picks and uses.

I have uneven texture, hyperpigmentation, and dry skin. The sun worshipping of my youth has caught up with me big time! After researching the acid family and finding that they were key to my skin, I incorporated them into my skincare regime asap. Several brands caught my eye and I went about purchasing them and testing them out. I didn't want any sissy products and these are the ones that I wanted.

Some of these are downright expensive and others are wallet friendly. Keep reading for my thoughts on each brand/product!

I am almost finished with my Peter Thomas Roth Un-wrinkle Peel pads and find that the 20% complex (the ingredient list only states retinol with no percentage) was a pretty hefty dose. This is the most expensive and can be found at Sephora and Ulta. I have used PTR products and trust this brand as the other cleansers are pretty jam packed with good ingredients. These pads are easy to use, say to use once a day am or pm your choice. I like using them at night while I sleep. They say to rinse off after 60 seconds. I don't do that and only spritz with a face spray to deactivate and leave it on overnight with no side effects. They do not sting when using unless I have a breakout. I have seen brighter skin, more even texture and the hyperpigmentation appears to be lessened.

I was blessed to have won some Lumavera products and the Glycolic Night Cream was included. This is the next expensive product. I use this on alternating nights. The cream is thin, has a chemical smell and definitely stings for a bit after applying. It does not state the strength on the ingredient list but has some incredible ingredients to go along with this cream. Including "stem cell" and some great herb additives.

Skin + Pharmacy can be found at CVS pharmacy. CVS has gotten game with their new skincare lines! This is another pad that doesn't give the percentage of acid but has some pretty incredible ingredients. Again it can be used at night and is gentler on my skin than the previous listed items. Again, (personal preference) I leave it on without rinsing off. It is in the $25 range but worth it in my opinion.

Nip & Fab products I have been using for several years and trust their items because I have seen that they work! The light blue label product has the added benefit of hyaluronic acid, blue daisy and witch hazel and is quite mild IMO. I use this when my skin is a bit cranky, it works well!

The other Glycolic Fix Night pads are a bit more heavy duty and when I run out of my PTR, these will be the ones I jump to next. It has salicylic acid and lactic acid in its ingredient list, both reat for breakouts and exfoliation. Both the Nip & Fab products can be found at Ulta and if you keep an eye out, they do buy one, get one half off often.

Because I have a mature face, glycolics and acids are a staple in my routine. Be sure to wear a good sunscreen as acids tend to make you more susceptible to sunburn!!!

Overall, acids work for my face and I don't think I will stop anytime soon as I see clearer, brighter, exfoliated skin. This is a great effect!

On a side note, Nuance by Salma Hyack has a tub of these at CVS and they are quite affordable!

Do you use acids in your daily routine? Have they worked for you? Do tell!

Blessings. Sherry

Glycolic and Hydroxy Acid Cleansers

Peter Thomas Roth Anti-Aging Cleansing Gel

Mario Badescu Glycolic Foaming Cleanser

Garnier Radiance Renewal Cleansing Gelee

I am a firm believer that the older I get that skincare is the absolute most necessary step in my routine, period. I use over the counter peel pads, retinol products and glycolic cleaners. These are 3 that are in my current routine. From expensive to drugstore!

From Wikipedia:

Glycolic acid is used to improve the skin's appearance and texture.

It may reduce wrinkles, acne scarring, hyperpigmentation and improve many other skin conditions, including actinic keratosis, hyperkeratosis, and seborrheic keratosis^{[citation needed]}. Once applied, glycolic acid reacts with the upper layer of the epidermis, weakening the binding properties of the lipids that hold the dead skin cells together. This allows the stratum corneum to be exfoliated, exposing live skin cells. Highly purified grades of glycolic acid are commercially available for personal care applications.

I first started using PTR when I purchased my Clarisonic Mia and it came with a small bottle and have since purchased the big bottle in a holiday kit. Love it! It lasts a long time because a little goes a long way and has very little fragrance and doesn't strip my face. It also has great skincare ingredients that add some great benefits. Available at Ulta and Sephora.

Mario Badescu Skin Care is well known and not as expensive as PTR. This little bottle has lasted me for over 6 months! Little fragrance, little goes a long way and doesn't strip my face. This products main ingredient is glycolic acid and because the packaging is basic the money for this product, I feel, goes into the product itself. Available at Ulta and Sephora.

Garnier has some great drugstore prices and although not entirely glycolic acid, has salicylic acid and other great skincare ingredients. This product has a great fragrance, and does strip my skin a bit. I am careful to moisturize really well. This product is great for acne prone and breakout skin. Can be found at your local pharmacies, Walmart and Ulta.

Because the older I get and the more hyperpigmentation and texture I notice, this is a must have for me. There are lots of glycolic toners in the market and night time treatments. I feel these last longer as with glycolic cleansers you wash a lot away!

Do you use any glycolic cleansers or toners? What is your favorite? Do tell!!!

Blessings, Sherry