16 replies to this topic

[JakeD]

Here's my problem:

Blackheads on my nose that just won't die no matter how I exfoliate. I got them to go away for a short time by using an in-home microdermabrasion and 2% BHA (Salicylic) liquid from Paula's Choice, but somehow the plugs just reappeared over time. (Dammit!) I'm thinking it never actually completely cleared the pore inside, only the outer surface. I did this for a few months until it stopped working, then just went back to using just BHA. I really don't think it does anything for me anymore.

I want something STRONG that will actually do the job. My skin is able to handle 30% AHA and very strong retinol creams under the eyes. Why would I use this weak BHA liquid from Paula's Choice if there are stronger acids available? I heard of someone using 40% Glycolic Acid on their blackheads with success. That high number appealed to me.

I tried lemons and they seem to lighten the plug, but I didn't really notice much else.

I'm open to ideas here. I want something powerful that will show results in less than 30 years.


Thanks in advance.

[JakeD]

Btw- My skin is generally oily at the end of the day, but I suspect the main reason for my clogs on my nose is A LOT of dead skin hanging out on the surface.

[sadgeorgy]

It seems your problem is your skin eventually developing a resistance to the product in question? I can relate, I've been using Paula's Choice for close to a month now, and while the first couple of weeks I've seen rather dramatic results, it's slowing going back to the way things were. I think the solution is perhaps to tackle the problem for multiple areas, like diet etc.

[luvskin]

After moving to a more humid climate I was having the same problems. Had some peels and extractions done but blackheads still came back and the oiliness was unstoppable. I read about Vivant's Mandelic Acid Serum. Alcohol has been a concern for some people, but it didn't bother my skin, it actually helped with the oil. In about 2 weeks I saw a huge difference with the blackheads. lionqueen's posts (and subsequent replies) are also in agreeance. I bought it from betterhealthyskin.com since it was cheaper, but there are other places to get it.

The main reason why I replied to your post was to tell you about this mask that I use for oil. It's the Therapeutic Clay Mask also vivant. great at absorbing oil and getting rid of my "dreadful" afternoon shine. I only use it 2 times a week and have noticed a big difference.

Good luck!

[LionQueen]

Glycolic acid primarily exfoliates skin cells at the surface .... if you want to penetrate the pore, you need salicylic or mandelic acid.

Diana Yvonne (www.dianayvonne.com) may have an SA product stronger than 2% ... I'm not sure. I'm not using SA anymore.

The Vivant 15% mandelic serum is great stuff if your skin can tolerate it. Best for oily skin.

[JakeD]

Glycolic acid primarily exfoliates skin cells at the surface .... if you want to penetrate the pore, you need salicylic or mandelic acid.

Diana Yvonne (www.dianayvonne.com) may have an SA product stronger than 2% ... I'm not sure. I'm not using SA anymore.

The Vivant 15% mandelic serum is great stuff if your skin can tolerate it. Best for oily skin.

I'm currently using M.D. Forte Skin Rejuvenation III (30% Glycolic + Retinol). After the irritation ended after about a week, this stuff made a dramatic improvement on the dead skin on my nose. The skin is extremely smooth and has a youthful look. For about 1 week the pores appeared to be clear.

I'm considering using your 15% mandelic acid with the 30% clycolic acid. My skin doesn't become irritated at all from my current regimen. Is using these two together OK? I'm sure my skin can handle it.

[LionQueen]

Glycolic acid primarily exfoliates skin cells at the surface .... if you want to penetrate the pore, you need salicylic or mandelic acid.

Diana Yvonne (www.dianayvonne.com) may have an SA product stronger than 2% ... I'm not sure. I'm not using SA anymore.

The Vivant 15% mandelic serum is great stuff if your skin can tolerate it. Best for oily skin.

I'm currently using M.D. Forte Skin Rejuvenation III (30% Glycolic + Retinol). After the irritation ended after about a week, this stuff made a dramatic improvement on the dead skin on my nose. The skin is extremely smooth and has a youthful look. For about 1 week the pores appeared to be clear.

I'm considering using your 15% mandelic acid with the 30% clycolic acid. My skin doesn't become irritated at all from my current regimen. Are using these two together OK? I'm sure my skin can handle it.

I'd get a sample of the Vivant first and see how it goes. Maybe use it once every 2 or 3 days until you get a sense of how your skin reacts.

Personally I think it sounds like too much .... but I know I could never use 30% glycolic in the first place. Everyone's skin is different.

[Hawkeye Pierce08]

is it ok to use a mandelic acid toner in conjuction with a glycolic acid facial peel wipe????

[LionQueen]

If your skin is already fully accustomed to one of those products, you could try adding the other one in gradually.

Here's a general schedule for getting your skin used to a new active product:

First week: Once every 3 days
Second week: Once every 2 days
Third week: 2 out of 3 days
Fourth week: Daily

If at any time your skin becomes irritated -- red, sore, burned-feeling -- stop using all active products and wait until things go back to normal before trying again.

It's never a good idea to start using two new active products at once. You won't be able to determine how each one affects your skin. Best to start slowly with one product, use it for at least a month, and then, if you have no trouble with it, start slowly with the other.

[timmoore]

does 1-2 pwercent SA exfiolaite the surface as well as 8% aha?

does mandelic aicd cause more flaking compare to other aha's?

[LionQueen]

Tim, you definitely get some surface exfoliation with salicylic acid. I'm not sure how to make this comparison, though. It would depend on which AHA you were considering (lactic? glycolic? mandelic? malic? citric? mixture?) and what the pH values were for the two products.

Also, salicylic is a strong enough exfoliant (assuming an appropriately low pH) that 2% is significantly stronger than 1%.

I am not really an expert at this, merely a reasonably well-read amateur. So I'm just going to say this: personally, I would choose the 8% AHA for surface exfoliation, because in general I find AHAs to be more effective in that area. Also, most of them are less irritating to my skin, with the exception of glycolic, which is not my friend.

That's a personal preference, however, based on trial and a number of errors. You kind of have to be your own guinea pig when using this stuff!


Now, regarding mandelic acid and flakiness -- that is totally going to vary from person to person. My skin has become accustomed to mandelic; I now use it daily, plus Green Cream Level 9 at night, and I almost never have problems with flakiness. I also never had trouble with lactic acid, nor with the Paula's Choice salicylic acid products. But glycolic and all salicylic products from makers other than Paula's Choice have not agreed with me; I get red, irritated, and extremely flaky.

Again, you just have to be your own guinea pig. Proceed with caution.

[timmoore]

meditec lastic 8 percent cause no flakes.. sesderma 8 percent at ph of 4 dose cause flakiness.

i assume becaues mandelic is as stronger exfoliater.?

in regards to sa exfoltaing the skin, i have found that paulas choince one percent to not remove surface dead skin very well. i asume it has something using with it being oil soluble,?


one last thing. does the bacteris staph , which everybody has on there skin, unless you have a cut does it cause any problems besides gram negative?

[LionQueen]

4 is a pretty high pH, not ideal for exfoliation. I'm guessing the flakiness is due to other things.

Paula's Choice 1% is a pretty mild product. Definitely not ideal for surface exfoliation! The 2% is a far more effective product, and really is intended for exfoliating the pores .... although, as I said earlier, you do get some surface exfoliation with BHAs.

Can't comment on the staph ... I don't know a thing about it.

[pikapig]

can i ask a few questions?

Can both Glycolic acid and salicylic acid be use in a regimen?

Is Glycolic acid and salicylic acid also known as AHA and BHA?

im using Neutrogena AHA and BHA pore refining toner...

and i will be using glycolic acid peel from neutrogena...so far, my skin does not react irratating to both acids..as such...should i just use one of it...or use both in my regimen?

Was thinking of purchasing garnier pure day defence lotions which contains Zinc as well as SA

[LionQueen]

If your skin can tolerate both AHAs and BHAs, you can use both. There's no hard and fast rule there. The key for anyone just starting out is to fully and gradually acclimate your skin to one of these products before gradually introducing the second.

I'd be curious to know the pH of those two Neutrogena products, though. I have some doubts about their effectiveness as exfoliants. Most drugstore products aren't sold at an appropriately low pH for exfoliation.

[timmoore]

mandelic has a pka of 3.4.

which means a prodcyt that has a ph level of 3.4. 50% of the mandleic is active.
alot of aha products have a ph of 4.

lactic and gylocic have a pka of 3.8

does that mean that lactic acid serum at ph of 4 would exfoliate more than mandelic at ph of 4. sicne the lactic pka is closer to 4

[wispa_shy]

I have just finished a course of 6 glycolic peels with Isolaz i have noticed a difference in my acne and it has calmed down a lot. I cant afford to keep going to the clinic that i do so wanted to know the following if any one can help!

1. are all Glycolic peels the same (apart from the strength) I know some beauty places do the MD glycolic peel at half the price i pay for my peel which is used along side the Avene products.
2. is it wise to use Mama lotion alongside glycolic peel? once a week?
3. I have also just brought skin Glycolic lotion exfoliated but its only 7% i was told to use it twice a week but i don't think it will make a difference as the peels i was doing were at 10% and my skin was fine with that.

I have been looking into MD skin and MD Formulation treatments as any body used either of this? any recommendations?