Alpha Hydroxy Lotion

Alpha Hydrox AHA Enhanced Lotion is one of the most inexpensive and well-known alpha hydroxy lotions available on the market. It is marketed as an anti-wrinkle treatment, but it can also be used to treat acne, scarring, and dull skin.

This AHA lotion absorbs quickly and is fragrance free, so it has less risk of irritating your skin with  extra perfumes. The efective pH is 4, close to that of your natural skin.

Alpha Hydrox AHA Enhanced Lotion contains concentrated glycolic acid (10%), which is on of the most effective alpha hydroxy acids. It helps to firm and smooth skin, as well as moisturize with pure vitamin E in the ingredients. This lotion should be applied once a day to safely exfoliate dead skin cells, exposing the younger, fresher looking skin underneath.

You can use this alpha hydroxy cream on your face, but it’s also beneficial for the legs, arms, and body. Expect smoother, silkier skin on any area that you choose to use it on.

Reviews on acne.org, amazon.com, and drugstore.com are overwhelmingly positive. You can expect an increase in pimples over the first week or so, as you purge the impurities in your skin. It seems to make a big difference in many users’ skin. Alpha Hydrox Enhanced Lotion helps to promote even skin tone, reduce scars and red marks from acne, and keep breakouts to a minimum. It also helps to smooth skin and diminish blackheads.

Warning: Glycolic acid skin products at this concentration is not for use on delicate or sensitive skin. It is recommended for dry to normal skin types.

Alpha Hydrox AHA Enhanced Lotion retails for approximately $12.00 in US stores. It can also be found for even cheaper online (try amazon.com).

Ingredient list:
Water, Glycolic Acid, Ammonium Hydroxide, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG 100 Stearate, Propylene Glycol, PEG 40 Stearate, Sorbitan Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Laurate, Tocopherol Acetate (Vitamin E Acetate), Petrolatum, Dimethicone, Myristyl Myristate, Stearic Acid, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Cellulose Gum, Sorbic Acid (A Preservative), BHT, Imidazolidinyl Urea

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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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