There’s no doubt about it, chemical exfoliating acids – like Glycolic, Lactic, Kojic, Salicylic, Citric and Pyruvic Acids – are all the rage right now. And for good reason. These powerful ingredients are renowned for their ability to unglue dull, dead cells and other impurities that build up on skin’s surface. And without lingering debris, beneficial molecules can penetrate deeper to noticeably improve skin texture, repair past damage, boost collagen, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Ultimately, building the skin’s resilience.
That said, Acid use can be tricky to navigate.
Start a new acid treatment and you may experience some unfamiliar sensations.
For instance, when introducing a Glycolic Acid treatment into a routine, like our cult favourite Liquid Gold which has 5% Glycolic Acid, you’ll likely feel a mild, but perfectly safe tingle.
You can even experience such symptoms when levelling up to stronger potency acids – like our Beauty Sleep Power Peel with 15% Glycolic and 5% Lactic Acids.
This activity is actually a sign that the accelerating acids are getting to work, rebooting the skin from within, stimulating its self-correcting ability and pushing it to work harder to improve its health and resilience. The reaction is only temporary, and here’s where the importance of commitment comes in. Embrace the initial tingle and stick with the changes that occur, and our Accelerating Acids will totally transform your skin revealing a healthier, smoother, brighter, more glowing complexion.
For those new to Accelerating Acids, there are a few ways to soften the impact of that initial reaction. We recommend:
Introducing your skin to a new acid treatment gradually. For instance, use Liquid Gold every third or fourth evening vs. the suggested every other evening.
Whilst our Accelerating Acids perform optimally when unadulterated (used without other products), when introducing new Acids to your routine, you can ‘buffer’ them by applying a gentle moisturiser afterwards to begin with – this buffers the pH slightly, slowing the delivery into the skin.
Be sure to start your routine with a gentle, pH balanced cleanser to support your skin’s acid mantle and respect the skin’s naturally occurring pH balance.
Wear a sunscreen every day (this is a non-negotiable in skincare, and not only for new acid users, for everyone)