If you use a scrub or chemical exfoliator, apply the product gently using small, circular motions. Do this for about 30 seconds, and then rinse off with lukewarm — not hot — water. If you use a brush or sponge, use short light strokes. Never exfoliate if you have open cuts or wounds or if your skin is sunburned.
How to use BHA and AHA exfoliants. Apply your AHA or BHA exfoliant after the cleanser and toner steps in your routine. If it's a liquid, apply it with a cotton pad; if a lotion or gel, apply it with your fingers. Apply an occasional-use rinse-off exfoliant peel to cleansed skin, and rinse after several minutes.
Exfoliate for about 30 seconds and then rinse off with lukewarm — not hot — water. Avoid exfoliating if your skin has cuts, open wounds, or is sunburned. Apply moisturizer with SPF after exfoliating.
You do not need to wash off exfoliating serums or similar skincare products. Serums generally benefit the skin the most when they are remaining on the skin for the longest amount of time.
There are two things you need to remember post-exfoliation: moisturizer and sun protection. Chemical exfoliants do have the potential to leave skin feeling dry. To combat this, moisturize well immediately afterward. You'll also need to apply SPF, as AHAs and BHAs can make skin more sensitive to the sun.
Most experts advise that you exfoliate two to three times per week — as long as your skin can handle it. Chemical exfoliants tend to be fine to use more regularly. Physical methods, on the other hand, may be too abrasive to use multiple times a week.
In skin care, it's used — and raved about — for its humectant properties, which help to draw and hold moisture, resulting in firmer-looking, hydrated skin. It's not an exfoliating kind of acid, but it turns out you can still overdo it.
Wait times might matter. The reason I personally leave acids on for 15-20 minutes before moving to other steps is due to my preference for gentler formulations that contain weaker concentrations of acids.
Start by cleansing your face and patting it dry, ensuring there is as little residual moisture as possible. Do not apply on wet skin. Next, apply the product evenly like a mask across your face and neck using your fingertips, avoiding the eye area, and leave it on for no more than ten minutes.
Niacinamide should be used after your BHA exfoliant. From there, you can apply the rest of your products in order of thinnest to thickest texture.
You can test this yourself with a well formulated exfoliant: at night, apply your AHA or BHA as usual after cleansing and toning, and do a "split-test." Wait 20 minutes before applying your serum and/or moisturizer to one side, but the other side of your face, apply those next steps immediately.
When it comes to morning versus night exfoliation, you're going to reap the best benefits from exfoliating in the morning time. This is due to the oils your skin produces overnight. You'll be able to more smoothly remove all impurities, dead skin, and oils, when you exfoliate in the morning, rather than at night.
(Don't forget to finish with sunscreen during the day.) An occasional-use rinse-off BHA peel should be applied to cleansed skin and rinsed after several minutes. Pat skin dry and follow with the rest of your routine.
Short answer is: Yes! You certainly can. To make niacinamide and AHAs/BHA work together, layer them on your cleansed face—just 30 minutes apart. You can also use them at different times of day, use niacinamide in the morning and AHAs/BHA at night.
If the answer is yes, you need to stop relying on chemical exfoliation alone. Rouleau says the best time to use a scrub is in the morning. Overnight you've loosened up dead skin cells with your glycolic acid or retinol products, making the morning a perfect time to brush them off.
3 answers. Your face will get red burn marks - I left it on for slightly too long under my eyes (above the cheekbone - directly under the eyes is too sensitive for this peel) and I had red marks that night and the next day.. definitely not worth it.
How long does chemical exfoliation take to work? A. If you have chosen the right exfoliant for your skin type, chemical exfoliation can show results from the very first use. You can see visible changes in your skin from 3 weeks onwards, however, regular use is necessary to maintain the results for the long run.
"Moisturizing after applying AHA and BHA is extremely important so as to limit irritation. Look for ceramides, petrolatum, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin to hydrate and soothe skin," says Dr.
Following with a soothing serum, replenishing moisturizer, and SPF during the day will help to protect and strengthen the skin's moisture barrier. Either way, sunscreen is absolutely necessary when using AHAs or BHAs!
You'll want to use your BHA product first, not only because BHAs are lower in pH but also because they are oil soluble and AHAs are not.
Since chemical exfoliants do not involve rubbing the skin, they are generally safer than many physical exfoliants. Hydroxy acids, such as salicylic and glycolic acids, have the ability to penetrate the skin for deeper exfoliation.
Even though this is a powerful chemical exfoliator with 16% AHAs (including glycolic and lactic acid), it's actually very gentle on my sensitive, eczema-prone skin. The reason why it's so gentle is because it contains niacinamide, which helps refine the skin's texture without stripping it of its natural moisture.
“Hyaluronic acid plays well with most ingredients, while caution must be taken when using retinol in combination with alpha hydroxy and beta hydroxy acids, benzoyl peroxide, and some types of vitamin C.” Linkner echoes the tip about avoiding vitamin C.