The word 'acid' is one that still has people gasping when it comes to skincare, non-beauty blogger friends of mine think that to put any form of acid on your skin is madness and I used to be one of them. Over the years, I've tried a whole series of different acids on my skin - Glycolic, Mandelic, Lactic, Salicylic, Ferulic and more besides, each one having its own success or not. When, Skinceuticals Glycolic 10 Renew Overnight was kindly sent to me, I was excited to give it a try.
Described as being a potent glycolic acid cream that works to improve the appearance of the skins texture and tone and is perfect for those with skin that is described as being Dry, Normal, Oily, Combination and for those who have concerns about discoloration and Ageing. It works by promoting a brighter complexion and improving overall skin flow by 36%. How the 36% is shared following an 8-week clinical study, Glycolic 10 Renew Overnight significantly improved the appearance of key markers of glowing skin:
- 36% average improvement in radiance
- 37% average improvement in skin texture
- 19% average improvement in skin tone
Suitable for nightly use, this cream is really lightweight on the skin, if you are not used to using an acid in your skincare, then it is worth giving your skin time to get used to it over a few weeks. The advice being to apply an even, pea-sized layer over the entire face and neck, then after one week, increase to every evening or as advised by a skincare professional. For my skin, I have used acids for a few years now, but I did start off using products a few times a week for a few weeks and then gradually increased the usage.
As you can imagine, this cream is packed with some amazing ingredients and they include:
- 10% Glycolic Free Acid Value - Derived from sugar cane, this fruit acid not only helps to stimulate skin’s natural exfoliation process but it also works to minimise the build-up of dead skin cells which results in the improvement to the appearance of skin texture, tone, and a brighter complexion.
- 2% Phytic acid - This is naturally present in legumes and seeds and it not only provides dual-action exfoliation but also skin brightening effects. It further helps to inhibit the impact of skin aggressors that can cause dullness, promoting skin clarity and glow.
- 1% Soothing complex - Featuring a combination of natural oils and botanicals, such as jojoba and sunflower seed, this wax forms a protective, breathable layer on skin to help lock in hydration and provide comfort.
On the skin, this cream is really lightweight and absorbs much quicker than I was expecting it to do and it isn't greasy, sticky or tacky either.
I absolutely love what I call lazy skincare, basically, you apply this after washing your face at night and let it work its magic whilst you sleep and then the following morning, wash your face as normal. Some overnight products do leave your skin feeling as though you have rubbed it with lard and that you immediately want to wash your face and everything on it, with the Skinceuticals Glycolic 10 Renew Overnight product, it is the exact opposite, instead you wake up with your skin feeling so soft, smooth and moisturised.
If you hadn't guessed, I cannot tell you how much I love this product, if I could bathe my whole body in this treatment, you can absolutely bet that I would. Now, the downside? it is pricey at £80 for 50ml, but it is worth every single penny.