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The results are in and the winner is...........Retinol!....BUT wait 
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👀" title="Eyes" aria-label="Emoji: Eyes">, its a trick question https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🥴" title="Woozy face" aria-label="Emoji: Woozy face">. The real answer is all of the above! https://twitter.com/skincare4theppl/status/1232786368364978176">https://twitter.com/skincare4...
AHA’s like Glycolic Acid, Lactid Acid, & Mandelic Acid are water-soluble & work to exfoliate the skin by loosening the bond between the cells in the epidermis. They help diminish hyperpigmentation & peel away the surface level to reveal more even skin tone & smoother skin texture
I would suggest starting off with a lower concentration Like the Nip+Fab glycolic fix pads 5%. The Ordinary’s Glycolic Acid 7% Solution contains Aloe so it really feels hydrating & not at all drying or irritating.
Lactid acid is great for exfoliating dry skin. @IxoraBB has one and the key ingredients are LA (10%), Prickly Pear & Wild Orchid Extract and Sodium Hyaluronate. The LA serum (10%) from @EpanouieSkin is also a personal favorite and I always see a difference in texture.
Mandelic acid is less irritation prone than the other AHAs because of its larger molecular size so it doesn’t penetrate the skin as fast. Wishtrend Mandelic acid 5% exfoliating water smooths rough/dull skin. The Ordinary has 10% Mandelic acid + HA https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👈🏾" title="Left pointing backhand index (medium dark skin tone)" aria-label="Emoji: Left pointing backhand index (medium dark skin tone)"> (Hyaluronic Acid)
(Hyaluronic Acid)" title="Mandelic acid is less irritation prone than the other AHAs because of its larger molecular size so it doesn’t penetrate the skin as fast. Wishtrend Mandelic acid 5% exfoliating water smooths rough/dull skin. The Ordinary has 10% Mandelic acid + HA https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👈🏾" title="Left pointing backhand index (medium dark skin tone)" aria-label="Emoji: Left pointing backhand index (medium dark skin tone)"> (Hyaluronic Acid)">
(Hyaluronic Acid)" title="Mandelic acid is less irritation prone than the other AHAs because of its larger molecular size so it doesn’t penetrate the skin as fast. Wishtrend Mandelic acid 5% exfoliating water smooths rough/dull skin. The Ordinary has 10% Mandelic acid + HA https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👈🏾" title="Left pointing backhand index (medium dark skin tone)" aria-label="Emoji: Left pointing backhand index (medium dark skin tone)"> (Hyaluronic Acid)">
Now let’s talk about Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) and products that contribute to relieving the skin of hyperpigmentation. The Ordinary has 8% Ascorbic Acid & 2% Alpha Arbutin which inhibits tyrosinase. @Theinkeylist Vit. C is 15% and @PaulasChoice also has a 15% Vit. C booster.
*Aht, aht, aht!* Don’t touch that [Vitamin C] if it’s in a clear bottlehttps://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🚫" title="No entry sign" aria-label="Emoji: No entry sign">. Vit. C is very unstable and easily oxidizes when exposed to light https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🤯" title="Exploding head" aria-label="Emoji: Exploding head">.
Last but not least the winner: Retinolhttps://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✨" title="Sparkles" aria-label="Emoji: Sparkles">. Retinol (Vitamin A) is an antioxidant & has exfoliating properties related to stimulating cell repair, evening skin tone & reducing hyperpigmentation. @PaulasChoice intensive repair cream contains 0.01% retinol and is great for beginners
. Retinol (Vitamin A) is an antioxidant & has exfoliating properties related to stimulating cell repair, evening skin tone & reducing hyperpigmentation. @PaulasChoice intensive repair cream contains 0.01% retinol and is great for beginners" title="Last but not least the winner: Retinolhttps://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✨" title="Sparkles" aria-label="Emoji: Sparkles">. Retinol (Vitamin A) is an antioxidant & has exfoliating properties related to stimulating cell repair, evening skin tone & reducing hyperpigmentation. @PaulasChoice intensive repair cream contains 0.01% retinol and is great for beginners" class="img-responsive" style="max-width:100%;"/>
While we’re on the topic of exfoliation let’s talk about the extra steps that go with it. We all know exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells on the epidermis. Chemical & Physical (AHAs/BHAs & Scrubs). But let’s talk about frequency and usage.
How often should you exfoliate though https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🤔" title="Thinking face" aria-label="Emoji: Thinking face">??
You should exfoliate 2-3x/week MAX. WHY https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👀" title="Eyes" aria-label="Emoji: Eyes">? Because exfoliation removes dead skin cells on the surface of the skin but if you start doing too much then you will start to remove that protective layer of the skin aka your moisture barrierhttps://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="💧" title="Droplet" aria-label="Emoji: Droplet">.
This is the layer of skin that when kept healthy it helps retain moisture and it’s the reason why when you over exfoliate your skin is screaming for help in the form of dehydration, redness, inflammation, and breakouts.
Exfoliants can come in many different forms (cleansers, toners, serums, & creams) but no matter what 3 times is the max.
Also percentages matter y’all! If you are a newbie to the skin care game then start off with lower percentages (5%) of AHAs like Glycolic Acid & Lactic Acid (mentioned earlier in this thread).
