Growing up, I’ve always had pretty good skin but after switching to new birth control a few years back, my skin rebelled, and I had one of the worst breakouts I'd ever had. I finally managed to tame the breakout with an elaborate skincare routine, but I was left with nasty post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). Anyone who struggles with dark spots and any sort of discoloration knows how difficult it can be to correct those skin concerns without going under a laser. But friends, I am here to tell you it’s not too late! Enter glycolic acid. I found a holy-grail product to help address those concerns. Read on to see why I’ve added SkinCeuticals Glycolic 10 Renew Overnight to my nightly routine and how to use it...
Okay, so to kick things off: It’s important to understand what glycolic acid does for your skin. It’s one type of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) derived from sugar cane. What separates it from other AHA like lactic and salicylic acids is the small molecular size that allows it to penetrate deeper into the skin.
Glycolic acid-based exfoliants slough off dead skin cells, but not in the way you might expect. Unlike harsh scrubs, it removes dead skin cells by loosening the ‘glue’ that holds the dead cells to the top layer of skin. Once these dead cells are removed, new youthful cells are revealed.
This can help our skin look younger and dewier and also help lighten discolorations such as sun and age spots. It can even help skin that's prone to blackheads, whiteheads, and acne by keeping pores clear of old skin that tends to clog them and cause problems.
It is best to use products that contain glycolic acid instead of using glycolic acid directly on your skin as it can cause irritation and burning. Always remember to follow up glycolic acid with sunscreen because the former makes your skin more vulnerable to sun damage. If you have sensitive skin, start off with a lower concentration of glycolic acid and slowly work your way up.
Yes, there are a ton of products available containing Glycolic Acid, but not all are created equal. So why did I choose SkinCeuticals Glycolic 10 Renew Overnight?
Aside from the fact that it’s from a dermatologist-recommended brand that I have been using for years... This night cream has a true 10% glycolic acid value. Anything higher might cause irritation and dryness, and anything lower will probably not give us the results we want!
This one offers a sweet spot of glycolic acid for my sensitive skin as nightly treatment without worrying about irritation. I love that I can #GlowToSleep and use it to refine my skin overnight as I sleep…
Thank you SkinCeuticals. You’ve outdone yourself again. Great product. In 3 weeks, it has definitely changed the clarity of my skin.
All glycolic acid should be introduced into your routine slowly, even with SkinCeuticals Glycolic 10 Renew Overnight cream.
Make sure you're applying sunscreen during the day. Not to sound like a broken record, but glycolic acid can increase the skin's sensitivity to the sun. Make sure you're harnessing all of its benefits without the added sun damage. I love this sunscreen.
One of the best things about glycolic acid is that everyone can use it, regardless of age, skin type (even sensitive complexions), and tone. Oh, and the exfoliating properties of SkinCeuticals Glycolic 10 Renew Overnight make it great for prepping the skin for other products!
What are some of your major skin concerns? Will you be trying this out?
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