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Welcome to Skincarma.

These are the musings of Carmine Montalto, NYC-based writer, skincare junkie and brand guru. The former copywriter at Kiehl’s, Carmine has more than 25 years of experience in beauty. Through the Skincarma Blog, he puts all of his product wisdom to work demystifying the ever-evolving world of skin care. 

You can change your skin’s destiny.™

PRODUCT REVIEW: PAULA’S CHOICE 25% AHA + 2% BHA EXFOLIANT PEEL – BEST AHA EXFOLIATING TREATMENT, BEST FACE PEEL WITH GLYCOLIC ACID

PRODUCT REVIEW: PAULA’S CHOICE 25% AHA + 2% BHA EXFOLIANT PEEL – BEST AHA EXFOLIATING TREATMENT, BEST FACE PEEL WITH GLYCOLIC ACID

PAULA’S CHOICE | 25% AHA + 2% BHA EXFOLIANT PEEL

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One word: Oh em gee. If you didn’t catch my YouTube video for #selfcaresunday yesterday, be sure you do. I took the leap and finally tried the new Paula’s Choice 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel!

To be honest, I’d been holding off until I knew my skin was in the right mood to handle it. It’s powered by a 25% concentration of literally every AHA under the sun. Okay, not every AHA, but still it seems like enough to take the tar off the driveway. It’s no joke.

Like so many of you, the most potent AHA treatment I’ve experienced is The Ordinary’s super potent, kinda scary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution. That one kind of set the bar for me — in terms of its potency, its results, and its ability to peel the siding off a house. When I use it, my skin is red for hours and it glows for days.

If you haven’t experienced The Ordinary’s acid peel, you’re really missing an opportunity to experience a professional dermatologist-level treatment at home. It’s serious stuff.

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With a pH in the 3.5-3.9 range, the Paula’s Choice formula contains 2% BHA Salicylic Acid in addition to its potent AHA blend of 8.4% Glycolic Acid, 7.1% Lactic Acid, 5% Mandelic Acid, 2.5% Malic Acid And 2% Tartaric Acid.

What are alpha hydroxy acids and how do they work to exfoliate the skin? For the answers, I sought out the insights of the experts on the Paula’s Choice Research Team. In an article titled, Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) for Skin: What They Are, How They Work, they explain it this way:


WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW OF

A SELFCARE SUNDAY NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART – WITH THE PAULA’S CHOICE 25% AHA PEEL!!

ON MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE


How do alpha hydroxy acids exfoliate the skin

If you’re on a quest for younger-looking, smoother, and more even-toned skin, you may have heard of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). But what is an AHA? Given there’s more than one AHA, which alpha hydroxy acid product should you use? Consider this your cheat sheet on all things AHA—you’ll finally know how AHAs work and the differences between them.

What Are Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)?

Alpha hydroxy acids are a group of natural and synthetic ingredients that, when properly formulated, can exfoliate the uppermost layers of skin. Doing so reveals fresher, refined skin that appears much smoother, is more hydrated, and, over time, becomes visibly firmer. Anyone concerned with looking younger, longer should consider adding an alpha hydroxy product to their skin care routine.


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Even so, I gotta say the Paula’s Choice 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel is not as harsh as I was expecting.

I think the brand did a really good job of ameliorating the inflammatory effects of acids at such high concentrations. That is, it won’t burn your face off. The formula contains a botanical complex of Bisabolol, Glycyrrhetinic Acid and Allantoin to soothe irritated skin. Plus, there’s an unusual, naturally-derived extract from “butterfly pea flower” that helps calm the skin. It also happens to give the sticky gooey peel its vibrant lilac color!

Be sure to catch me using it on my YouTube channel here.

SHOP THE BLOG: Purchase the Paula’s Choice 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel for $39 here.


The Ingredient List of the Paula’s Choice 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel:

Hover the mouse over an ingredient for short explanation. Read more on INCIDecoder.

The Ingredient List of The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution:

Hover the mouse over an ingredient for short explanation. Read more on INCIDecoder.

MY WINTER SKIN SAVIOR: SKINFIX BARRIER+ LIPID REPLENISHING SKINCARE - BEST ANTI-AGING CREAM, BEST FACE CREAM FOR DRY SKIN

MY WINTER SKIN SAVIOR: SKINFIX BARRIER+ LIPID REPLENISHING SKINCARE - BEST ANTI-AGING CREAM, BEST FACE CREAM FOR DRY SKIN

PRODUCT REVIEW: THE INKEY LIST SNOW MUSHROOM CREAM - BEST HUMECTANT SERUM, BEST HYDRATING SERUM

PRODUCT REVIEW: THE INKEY LIST SNOW MUSHROOM CREAM - BEST HUMECTANT SERUM, BEST HYDRATING SERUM