Renewal of skin top layer is its natural process. When your skin is young, it goes without problem, but more mature we are, harder it is for skin to renew itself and it needs some help with it. The reasons behind the slower renewal process is not only the age (decreasing level of hormones) but other factors such as sun related damage, smoking, unhealthy lifestyle.
To help your skin renew its top layer you can try peeling. Of course, first you can think of is classic manual peeling with small or bigger grains in it. The problem is that this kind of peeling is not the best for your skin. The grains cause small microscopic wounds which are not visible to the eye but they disrupt top skin layer that aims to protect it. I use manual scrubs only when the dry patches are extremely visible (only in January and February).
What should I use instead of scrub? BHA and AHA acids! First time I heard about these acids was in the book „The original beauty bible” by Pauly Begoun (chapter 9):
AHA (Alpha hydroxyl acids) peel off the very top skin layer, they are great for sun damaged skin or for dry skin. You can find them under these forms: glycolic acid, lactic acid (these two are the most effective), then malic acid, citric and tartaric acid.
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| AHA and BHA peeling from Paula's choice |
BHA (Beta hydroxy acids) are lipid (oil) soluble acids that penetrate deeper in the skin, in its pores. These are filled by sebum and if they get clogged up the bacteria that leave there feasts on it and multiplies. It causes then the inflammation or acne which can be avoided by using these beta hydroxy acids. You can find them only under salicylic acid form.
My experience: To find a product that has good amount of the acids is quite difficult, especially in Europe, so I ordered the products from
Paula’s Choice website.
First (well in 2010), I ordered AHA because I have dry skin. I used them, as recommended, every night on my clean skin, before applying night cream. After 1 month I noticed that my skin wasn’t extremely dry as it used to be, no severe skin patches and skin peeling, no tight skin after each shower. Yeah! Since then I haven’t stopped using the AHA, I only restrain myself from using it during summer months when I use self-tanner and when the sun is too aggressive to the skin. I still have dry skin but not extremely dry and most often it is dry only during the winter months, during the summer I have quite normal skin.
Last year I discovered BHA which I use when I suddenly get acne and I need to really clean my skin well. Also a friend of mine who has oily skin tried it as well and she is extremely happy with it.
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| Daily and weekly AHA set by Paula's choice |
Recently I bought Resist Weekly and daily resurfacing AHA duo. I especially love the weekly AHA, my skin looks like baby one following morning. The daily AHA from Resist edition is about the same as regular AHA peeling, just lower percentage, so I gave it to my mum for her name’s day.
Price: 28,90€, currently on sale for 23€. I know it’s a lot, but one bottle will last you all year and the result is really visible. You can order it from European Paula’s choice website and it comes home within 2 days. If you still prefer to look for different brand, search on
beautypedia.com to find other brands that offer good quality AHA or BHA.
