Alpha Hydroxy Lotion

These are the top five glycolic acid skin care products available on Amazon.com, no prescription required! Be warned that if you do not have previous experience with glycolic or alpha hydroxy acids, consider starting with a low-strength formulation. Proceed carefully only after carefully reading the instructions and product reviews for tips.

1. Skin Laboratory Glycolic Acid 35% Gel Peel

This is a professional-strength product similar to peels used in spas and clinics. It helps stimulate collagen formation, clean impurities out of pores, slough the skin surface, and even out skin tone. Reviewers report redness immediately after application, but subsides with the application of moisturizer afterwards.

2. Skin Laboratory Glyco-Lac/60, Level 2 Gel Peel
This professional-strength peel has lactic acid as well as glycolic acid, so it is a more moisturizing option. It’s also less irritating than a straight glycolic peel. Reviews are good and it may be the right choice for you if you’ve got dry or sensitive skin.

3. Perfect Peel Solutions Glycolic Acid 70% Chemical Peel
This is another professional-strength glycolic acid peel, designed to reduce the appearance of scars and acne redness. It regenerates skin cells and sloughs off the top layers of skin, promoting smoother, glowing skin. At 70% glycolic acid, this is a VERY strong peel and you should not try this until you’ve worked your way up from milder solutions.

4. Jan Marini Bioglycolic Facial Cleanser
A glycolic cleanser is a gentle way to stimulate new skin and smoother texture. This is a good choice as the top-selling product of its type on Amazon. Caution: Do NOT use on eye area to remove makeup! Great for troubled skin.

5. Aqua Glycolic Face Cream
A face cream is another gentle way to get the benefits of glycolic acid. Aqua Glycolic is recommended by dermatologists to smooth skin, reduce sun damage, smooth fine lines, and restore moisture. This product should be used with a sunscreen. People with acne seem to have particularly good results.

There are many reasons why you might need to even out your skin tone. First, let us look at the cause of skin discolorations, and secondly, let us explore our options once the damage is done.

One of the biggest causes of uneven skin is leftover marks from acne. These are scars that usually start off red, and gradually deepen in color as they get older. People with darker skin are especially prone to getting post-acne spots. The skin fights back to heal a pimple, and in the process, produces more melanin (skin color). This phenomena is known as hyperpigmentation, and it can literally take months to fade away on its own.

Another reason that people get uneven skin is sun exposure. Over time, UVA rays cause damage under the skin, which shows up as flat brown spots. These are usually called age spots, but they are also known as liver spots or sun spots. Now this time, it is lighter complexions that are most at risk, particularly light-skinned Asians.

Now, there is only so much one can do to prevent acne and age spots. Genetics plays a large part in it. The best thing to reduce UVA exposure is to wear a good sunscreen every day, but even that is not a 100% prevention. Damage caused by UVA is gradual and cumulative, and just by going about your daily life will expose you.

The best line of defense after the fact is the use of glycolic acid skin products. These are products that literally resurface your skin, and fade the discolorations visible at the top layer. Glycolic acid is delivered in a variety of strengths depending on your need. At the gentle end is glycolic acid lotion (a type of alpha hydroxy acid lotion), which is good for gradual lightening without risking skin irritation. At the other end are professional strength glycolic acid peels. These are chemical peels performed in a dermatologist’s office. They can also be done at home once you have some experience with the process.

There is nothing stopping you from having beautiful, even skin with the products available today.

Further reading:

• What is the best product to even out skin tone? | SharingAnswer.com – Evening out skin tone is a challenge but an Alpha-Hydroxy lotion will help. I use a glycolic acid lotion on my face twice a week and it helps keep my skin tone even. Manual exfoliation will help as well, give it a good scrub. …

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Elle online has some good tips for clearer, brighter summer skin.

 

 

 

Perfect Skin for Summer – Elle

via glycolic acid – Google News on 4/27/10

Elle	Perfect Skin for Summer Elle Downie favors glycolic acid peels (also known as alpha hydroxy acid peels) and salicylic acid peels (beta hydroxy peels) “because they work with every skin … Peel Your Way To Better Skin!OfficialWire (press release) all 2 news articles »

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Technorati Tags: glycolic acid peels, glycolic acid skin

A glycolic acid peel is a type of chemical peel. It is used to instantly improve the appearance and texture of skin, smoothing out wrinkles, reducing acne scarring, and fading hyperpigmentation. Of all the available acid peels, the most gentle used is glycolic acid. It is derived from a natural source: sugar cane. Its popularity is due to the small size of its acid particles, which easily penetrate and affect the outer layers of the skin.

Typically, glycolic acid peels are performed under the supervision of a professional. A dermatologist’s or cosmetic surgeon’s office are the most common places to have a peel done. The concentration used is between 50% to 70% glycolic acid, applied directly to the face and left for several minutes. The effect is an instant exfoliation of the top layers of skin, plus stimulation of collagen production beneath. After treatment, the skin will likely be red and irritated. However, this subsides and you will be left with smoother skin. After several treatments you will begin to see a reduction in fine lines, scarring, and age spots. One should get treated between every two to four weeks in order to attain maximum results.

It is also possible to administer glycolic acid peels at home. It is always advisable to visit a professional first in order to assess how well your skin tolerates this type of chemical peel. You should also perform a patch test (such as in the inside of your elbow) before applying any home peel to your face. That said, home chemical peels are relatively safe and they are milder than what you find at the doctor’s clinic. Generally the strength is about 20% to 30%, so stronger than everyday AHA lotions, but milder than medical grade formulas.

For best results, glycolic acid peels should be administered in conjunction with a regular skincare regime. The combination of gentle everyday care, with more intensive chemical peels once or twice a month, is the key to achieving beautiful skin.