Ingredients Review: NEW Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant

[[copyrightcover:paulaschoice.com]]

Paula's Choice 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant

WHERE TO BUY: 

$37.00/88ml; Paula's Choice (up to 7% cashback from Extrabux)

$37.00/88ml; Sephora (up to 4% cashback from Extrabux)

Liquid exfoliants have become the skin-changing go-to for those who are truly in-the-know. A well formulated leave-on exfoliant smooths rough texture like scrubs do, but can also help unclog pores, reduce redness, dissolve blackheads and deflate flesh-toned bumps, reduce lines and wrinkles, improve oil flow out of the pore, help fade discolorations, support skin’s barrier and even improve the health of skin's microbiome. That's a long list of benefits for skin that no scrub can match.

The new Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant is a resurfacing solution powered by Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs). Safe to use for all skin types and tones, this toner-slash-essence micro exfoliates the upper most layer of skin, which helps with issues such as uneven tone, rough texture, hyperpigmentation, or fine lines. In short, it smoothes and brightens the skin. It is also extremely gentle and will slot into your existing routine quite easily. 

Money Saving Tip: If you like online shopping, don't forget to sign up at Extrabux！(What is Extrabux) , then you can enjoy up to 7% cashback on your purchase from Extrabux! Sign-Up Bonus: Free to join it & get $20 welcome bonus! Student Benefits: As long as you are a student at school, you can get a free whole year long VIP Card worth $199.

Key Ingredients & Benefits

6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant is a complex of gentle alpha hydroxy acids that resurface & shed built-up layers of dead skin. This unique formula visibly rejuvenates skin's ability to renew and disrupts discoloration without causing post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation on deeper skin tones. This exfoliant has an optimal pH range of 3.0–4.0.

Exfoliates skin's surface, smooths texture, softens fine lines & brightens. Renewing ingredients like yarrow extract & a fermented antioxidant blend of cherry blossom, chocolate vine & bayberry support the skin's microbiome & barrier while working beneath skin's surface for healthier cell turnover and younger-looking skin over time.

Key Ingredients:

- 6% Mandelic Acid

Mandelic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that’s derived from bitter almonds and works to exfoliate the skin. Compared to other chemical exfoliants and AHAs, it has a larger molecule size, which works in your favor: Essentially, this means it’s more gentle and has slower, shallower penetration. These traits make mandelic acid more tolerable for those with sensitive skin or skin cannot tolerate glycolic acid. It's even suitable for skin prone to rosacea.

As an exfoliant, it offers a slew of skin-boosting benefits. First, it helps to eliminate dead skin cells, which results in an improved overall texture and tone of the skin. Mandelic acid also helps to brighten the skin, reduce hyperpigmentation, improve dullness, and leaves the skin feeling smoother and looking more radiant.

On top of all these perks, it can smooth and plump your complexion. Mandelic acid has been shown to have collagen-boosting effects, improving fine lines and skin suppleness.

Like other AHAs, mandelic acid is most effective in leave-on products when used in concentrations of 5% or greater.

- 2% Lactic Acid

Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) extracted from milk. Despite such natural origins, most forms used in cosmetics are synthetic because that form is easier to stabilize and formulate with, plus it's vegan.

Within the AHA category, though, lactic acid sets itself apart. Lactic acid is a humectant which means it draws moisture into the skin — meaning it aids in hydration. Besides that, it tends to be more sensitive skin-friendly, since lactic acid has a larger molecular structure than other AHAs which makes it easier for complexions to tolerate.

Lactic acid exfoliates on the surface of skin. It does this by breaking down the material that holds dead skin together, allowing it to shed naturally as it once did. Lactic acid also has hydrating properties (as sodium lactate, it is part of skin's natural moisturizing factor, or NMF).

In addition to these benefits, lactic acid strengthens skin's barrier by encouraging it to make more ceramides, a key component of healthy skin. It also strongly influences skin's microbiome, helping to keep its first line of defense strong by positively interacting with a neuropeptide in skin's surface known as Substance P, resulting in quick diffusion of signs skin is stressed.

- Yarrow Root Extract

Yarrow root extract, is the extract from the whole yarrow plant, a type of flowering herb native to North America and parts of Europe and Asia. It's a rich source of antioxidant flavonoids, phenolics, and various fatty acids that contribute to healthier-looking skin.

Studies show this extract has antioxidant properties that can rejuvenate skin's surface, leading to a more youthful appearance. Of particular interest is research showing that Yarrow root extract can fight factors that lead to visible skin irritation – essentially, that it is a calming ingredient.

- Cherry Blossom Extract

Cherry blossom extract is derived from the ornamental cherry blossom tree that's native to east Asia. It's benefit for skin is due to antioxidant compounds, including anthocyanins, flavonoids, caffeic acid, and quercertin derivatives, which help mop up skin-damaging free radicals. Left to do their job, these free radicals are one of the prime causes of premature aging. 

These pretty petals are a storehouse of essential fatty acids that help repair the skin's natural barriers and promote a smooth, supple complexion.

Cherry blossom extract counters the effects of glycation. Glycation is a process wherein excess sugars bind to the body's proteins and destroy collagen and elastin (skin's building blocks), thereby leading to wrinkles and sagging.

It also can lighten hyperpigmentation and clarify uneven skin by inhibiting the production of melanin.

Benefits:

• Improves sun damage, dullness & fine lines

• Reverses a compromised skin barrier 

• Renews skin below the surface for healthier cell turnover & radiance

• Gentle & effective for all skin types

How To Apply:

Apply with your hands or a cotton pad, gently pat on face & neck.

When To Apply:

At first, apply once every other day and note skin’s response. Then, use up to twice daily. For the AM, always finish with SPF 30+.

Review

This lightweight exfoliant is clear but slightly cloudy, with a faint, fresh scent that dissipates right away. It's only slightly heavier than water, spreads easily, and dries quickly, so it doesn't hold up the rest of your routine. It is gentle and feels refreshing, no stinging feeling at all. 

You can apply liquid steps (toner or essence), by swiping a saturated cotton pad or by splashing some product into the palm of your hand and pressing it directly into the skin. A cotton round wastes a lot of product (but if you must, opt for a thin, disposable one vs. washable cotton which is highly absorbent). 

If you're new to leave-on liquid exfoliants, start out slowly. Build up your tolerance from 2-3 nights a week to everyday use. Eventually, if you're not using other acids, you can use this Paula's Choice formula twice a day.

The Comparison with 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

For those who are total Skin Perfecting BHA loyalists, you don't have to choose — there is room for both liquid exfoliants in your routine.

The Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant relies on salicylic acid in a special penetration-enhancing base laced with potent antioxidant green tea.

While the new Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant works on the upper layers of the skin, the BHA works below the surface. It's ideal for combination to oily skin or any skin type experiencing clogged pores and blemishes.

While most people do just fine by picking one or the other, there's nothing wrong with using both or experimenting to see which one works best for you. Just monitor how your skin responds and adjust usage if needed.

Using AHA and BHA together can provide advanced results if you're experiencing multiple skin concerns (such as signs of sun damage, deep wrinkles, stubborn clogged pores, bumps, dull, flaky skin). In fact, many people find that alternating AHA and BHA exfoliants is the perfect solution to address their unique concerns.

Extrabux.com cooperates with many merchants, such as: Walmart (Up to 4% cashback), Sephora（4% -5% cash back), Moosejaw (5% -6% cash back), LOOKFANTASTIC (Up to 10% cash back), Sam's Club (Up to 15% cashback), Norton(Up to 20% cashback), Microsoft (Up to 7% cash back) and so on. You can save on buying daily necessities, fashion, beauty, electronic products, broadband installation, mobile communication, air tickets, hotels and other aspects of life! 

Extrabux is an international cashback shopping site, offering up to 30% cashback from 10,000+ Stores!

LOOKFANTASTIC, SkinStore, SkinCareRx, Feelunique, Cult Beauty, Sephora, Belk, Estee Lauder, Lancome, La Mer, Kiehl's, Clinique, Elizabeth Arden, Adore Beauty, Sol de Janeiro, Hourglass, Lancer, Shiseido, FOREO, Macy's, etc.

Join to get $20 welcome bonus now! (How does Welcome Bonus work?)