DESPERATE FOR HELP!!! Best AHA, BHA and Retinol Product!!!
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Tue Mar 06, 2007 3:51 am

Hi guys

I can't seem to find much info on the Best AHA, BHA and Retinol Products.

I have been advised to use a BHA (Salicylic Acid) Peel once weekly, an AHA Treatment and a weak Retinol product to reverse first signs of aging.

I am 27 years old and am experiencing fine lines around eyes, lost elasticity and some minor pigmentation. Sad

Please help with your favourite brands... Oh preferably purchasable from EDS.

Many thanks, Bubbilator

Tue Mar 06, 2007 4:19 am

I don't use retinol so can't suggest anything there but I use Jan Marini Bioglycolic Bioclear lotion which, if I remember correctly, is 10% AHA and 2% BHA. I have to say that I use this mostly to keep my skin even toned and bump-free (i.e. congestion free) and I find that it does a very good job.

I am curious as to why BHA was actually suggested to you for helping with lines, loss of elasticity or pigmentation. In my understanding AHA and retinol would help with these but not salicylic acid. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

Tue Mar 06, 2007 4:23 am

Umm yeah... the BHA Salicylic acid is to help clean out my pores and control minor breakouts Smile

free skin care · Tue Mar 06, 2007 4:25 am

Professional solutions do a 10% lactic acid peel which is pretty gentle. Is LA and aha or bha? bha I think. much more gentle than glycolic. You can build up times til you can use it every day if you want.

If you do want SA they do various strengths. Do you want bosth as a biphasic peel maybe?

Green cream 6 is an ok retinol, but I prefer ystheal by avene. I want to try psf retinol though, cos it has had some fab reviews!

with all of the above you need to start using them very slowly or you will get really horrible looking skin!

Tue Mar 06, 2007 4:26 am

Thanks Mabsy for your advice

How often would I use the Jan Marini BioClear lotion?

free skin care · Tue Mar 06, 2007 6:42 am

Pter Thomas Roth's Acne clearing gel combines both AHA and BHA - might be too harsh for a beginner to acids, also it has alcohol. Best retinoid would be the Avene retinaldehydes.

free skin care · Tue Mar 06, 2007 7:10 am

Hi bubbilator

I don't really believe in buying everything in one place but here are some suggestions:

1) Retinol
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream
I used to use this and it was great. Also, Allure awarded this "Best of Beauty Hall of Fame". If you check Makeupalley.com, you will see lots of great reviews.
Green Cream was way too harsh for my skin and for some reason it was more irritating to me than retin-A. Way too strong.

2) AHA
I have tried lots of different brands. I know many people hate drugstore products but a lot of them have come a long way. Alpha Hydrox makes great AHA products. For normal to dry skin, Alpha Hydroxy 12% Souffle. For oily, Alpha Hydrox 10% AHA. The 10% has green tea for antiox benefits.

3) BHA
I have only used Oily of Olay cleansing cloths and Neutrogena soap for BHA (salicylic acid) benefits. However, raves are all over the place for Paula's Choice BHA 1% or 2% bottles.

Hope that helped!

Tue Mar 06, 2007 7:25 am

Thanks guys for all your help!!

I have refined my list again Embarassed

Here goes..
Cleanser: JB Organic Cleanser

Toner: Caudalie Beauty Elixer

Serum: Cellular Skin Rx C+ Firming Serum

Day Moist: Jan Marini Spf 30 Lotion

AHA/BHA:
1) ASAP Clearskin Gel (AHA 15.5% buffered to 3.7 pH/ Sal 2%) FOR BREAKOUTS and blackheads
2) PSF Pumpkin Peel (once weekly)

Retinol: Going to leave this one off the list until I can find the Neutrogena Wrinkle Cream (not out yet in OZ)!!

Hylauronic Tx: Which one?? Do I need a mask or a serum? When do I use this???

Cheers guys!!!

free skin care · Tue Mar 06, 2007 3:50 pm

How about the PSF retinol? And their HA come to think of it.

I'm giving my skin a break from glycolics at the moment and the PSF O2 spray seems to control any breakouts.

free skin care · Tue Mar 06, 2007 4:05 pm

bubbilator wrote:

Thanks Mabsy for your advice

How often would I use the Jan Marini BioClear lotion?

I've used the Jan Marini Bioclear lotion...it is very potent for me. I could only use it 2x a week.

Thu Mar 08, 2007 7:41 am

bubbilator wrote:

Thanks Mabsy for your advice

How often would I use the Jan Marini BioClear lotion?

Well, I use it daily actually. At the moment in a larger quantity to get rid of some bumps, but even normally it's still daily as maintenance. I have normal skin though, not sensitive and not prone to dryness. A few times a week might be good if you're worried about it being drying. If you have very sensitive skin then you probably shouldn't use this. HTH

free skin care · Sat Mar 10, 2007 11:27 am

I've also used Jan Marnie BioClear lotion. It was way too harsh for me and did nothing for my skin..expensive for what the ingredients are too!

The drugstore AlphaHydrox is praised by meany people on meany boards. It's cheap and effective...stings too Laughing

free skin care · Sat Mar 10, 2007 12:00 pm

Hi bubbilator - I think you're wise to hold off on introducing a retinoid at this point. Letting your skin get used to the other acids seems prudent. I love the Pumpkin Enzyme Peel and never use it more frequently than once a week -- sometimes only every ten days to two weeks! It really depends on how dry my skin is at any given time.

Some members are bigger fans of HA than I am -- it can be drying for me under certain conditions.

I also like Avene retinaldehyde products and I'm so happy to see you've included sunscreen on your list!

Hi donnababe -- It's true about AlphaHydrox! It's a good line for the money for people in the market for glycolics.

free skin care · Sat Mar 10, 2007 12:07 pm

HANDS DOWN:

I Feel Pretty BHA/AHA exfoliant. She's has two strengths...I'm just about through the 2%BHA/4%AHA.
I just purchased her 5% BHA as I'm working my way UP to the 5%BHA/10%AHA.

Her products are amazing...my skin has never been better since introducing her exfoliant and healing serum.

And they are handmade...and are less expensive that other products.
I'll never be without her products, as long as IFP is around I'll be ordering!!!!

http://www.ifeelprettyproducts.com/exfoliants.htm

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