Chemical Exfoliants

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Rowe says women need retinol in their routine - it's the best way to exfoliate without tearing up the skin with scrubs. "Retinol cleans the skin and takes the dead layer off up top," he says, "A low dose of Retinol every other day is recommended." It might make your skin a little red, and sun-sensitive, so always put on at night.

Since our skin doesn't know what to do with itself between seasons, we like to up the dose a bit before the warm weather hits - this is the driest time of the year and we need chemical exfoliation.  

Some of our favorites chemical exfoliants (meaning they use acids rather than beads to remove dirt and dead skin) include:

Care Tireless Retinoid Night Serum - put this on immediately after washing your face. You can follow it with a light moisturizer or oil, but it should really be left to do its job. 

Herbivore Prism 12% Glow Serum - yes, another Herbivore product. It's no wonder everyone's going crazy about this brand, they donate to LGBTQIA+ organizations year round and $1 from every sale of their Prism Glow Serum goes to The Trevor Project.  

Shani Darden Retinol Reform - This is a newer brand founded by Celebrity Esthetician Shani Darden and they have an incredible retinol serum that treats multiple concerns - dullness, blemishes, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone. The serum also hosts lactic acid, which brightens and smooths.  

Perricone MD Growth Factor Firming and Lifting Serum - This serum is always sold out, so we hope by time this story runs it's still in stock. It's a non-greasy lightweight serum that penetrates deep into the skin. One of the major ingredients is Eggshell Membrane, which supports the skin's moisture barrier and improves elasticity. 

Alpha-H Vitamin A Serum - Retinol is a form of Vitamin A and is responsible for the health of DNA in every cell of the body. This serum is a potent, antioxidant-infused retinol that will not only exfoliate but also hydrate. 

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