We need to talk about exfoliation…
There was certainly a time when facial scrubs where the highest standard of exfoliation. The feeling that you’re getting rid of excess oil and dead skin as you scrub is certainly satisfying. And whilst they can still be effective, research has suggested that some scrubs (salt, walnut, etc.) can be too harsh and potentially cause micro-tears in the skin. Plastic micro-beads that are considered gentler have also been called out (and largely banned) due to their effect on their environment. It has therefore become far more popular to use chemical exfoliants.
There are two main groups of exfoliants, AHAs and BHAS. AHAs help to shed the top layer of the skin and boost collagen production making them great for treating fine lines, dullness, texture and hyperpigmentation. They come in the form of glycolic acid, lactic acid, mandeleic acid etc. BHAs are basically salicylic acid and tend to work by clearing out pores, reducing excess oil and fighting bacteria. They are much better if you are looking to treat acne, spots and congestion. There are also PHAs which work similarly to AHAs but are for more sensitive skin.
Due to their popularity, there are now so many acid treatments on the market which makes it difficult to choose. One of the super hyped ones at the moment is The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution. Despite being around for some time, the product’s crazy blood-like appearance became a trend on Tik Tok, with everyone and their mum trying it. It is now a cult favourite, and is sold out constantly. Not only does this product promise to fight blemishes, improve radiance and reduce fine lines and texture, but, as with all The Ordinary products, it is super affordable… £6.30!! I decided to put it to the test…
Due to this formula having high concentrations of acids you have to be careful when using it. Prior to application, do a patch test to check for any negative reactions. Make sure you apply it for no longer than 10 minutes at a time (less if it’s the first use or you have sensitive skin). Never touch the dropper to your skin as it can transfer bacteria back into the bottle causing the formula to destabilize. Use it once a week or less. And, most importantly, wear suncream every day for the week following use as it initially weakens the skins barrier.
I used this mask once a week for about 2 months and I think I really saw a difference. The texture of my skin felt smoother and brighter but the biggest change was that because of the consistent exfoliation, my skin was healing faster, meaning less spots. I did make sure that in between each use I really focused on nourishing and hydrating my skin so that it didn’t dry out. It’s also just great fun as you can trick your family/housemates into thinking you have blood everywhere :)
Overall, this product is great, I am already on my second bottle! I am also now a total convert from physical to chemical exfoliation. As always if you have any questions, or want to share your own experience, drop it in the comments!
Lots of love,
Lily
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