For many of us, summer sun damage has reared its ugly head, leaving our skin more lackluster than radiant. Whether it’s a blotchiness that makes you feel blah or full-blown dark spots, exfoliation can help. Skinfix Resurface+ Glycol Lactic Brightening Boost features the right mix of ingredients to get the job done without damaging the skin barrier.
The Benefits of This Brightening Cream
When you think of exfoliators, things like peels, scrubs and serums typically come to mind. However, this formula is based in a cream, giving it some extra cushion to protect your skin barrier as the alphahydroxy acids go to work. The 10-percent mix of glycolic, lactic and fruit acids sloughs of dead skin cells so skin feels smoother and looks more even in tone. Another key ingredient is kakadu plum, a potent source of vitamin C for skin brightening. Turmeric extract also plays a big role, and the brand says it’s proven to be “as effective as 4-percent hydroquinone in reducing the look of dark spots.”
I also appreciate the addition of several nourishing oils, including jojoba, sweet almond, grape seed, macadamia and coconut. Together, they provide a host of hydrating, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits that promote skin barrier health. In a dermatologist-led clinical study, the cream was proven to improve skin radiance in just four weeks. It also proved the reduce the appearance of dark spots in 12 weeks. However, in the before-and-after image below, this woman experienced a pretty impressive result in less than half that time.
Though I wouldn’t classify myself as having sensitive skin, my skin can certainly be reactive to some glycolic formulas. This one didn’t irritate my skin, but I’ve seen some other reviewers say the contrary. With any AHA-centric product, I always recommend a patch test for anyone who considers their skin sensitive or reactive.
How to Use It
Apply it on clean, dry skin in the morning and at night after applying your serums. My skin gets drier in the winter, so I prefer an additional moisturizer on top. And, always remember to use sunscreen during the day. Glycolic acid can make skin more sensitive to UV damage. Also, there’s no synthetic fragrance in this product, but it does have a somewhat herbal scent from the natural ingredients.
