Drugstore Gem: Skin Effects Glycolic Day Cream SPF 30 @ CVS

Rarely do I ever give props to a moisturizer, but its happened like once. And never do I give props to an a moisturizer with a good amount of SPF. Its either I find a decent moisturizer without SPF or a decent sunscreen that doesn't really moisturize. I'm very cynical when it comes to these products because of the fact that everything I've tried has screwed me over in one way or another. Now, you've heard me speak highly of incorporating a Glycolic Acid product into your skin care regime if anti-aging is a concern for you. Skin Effects Glycolic Day Cream will take care of this for you as well as provide you the hydration and sun protection that we look for in our daily moisturizer. I will say that Glycolic Acid isn't some gentle, luxurious component in your skin care product. Unless your skin is already used to it or not sensitive in the slightest, you may need to use baby steps with this stuff. Try it every other day or less if you feel a mild burning sensation. This is normal, and its normal to experience some redness at first. I said, some redness though, not the kind of red you may experience if you walked into a burning building. So if your skin is screaming bloody murder and begging to be freed from the fire, go wash it off immediately and seek some other anti-aging alternatives through your Dermatologist. 

What it is:

-A daily moisturizer infused with Glycolic Acid and SPF 30, comes in a 1 ounce jar with a very unique pump dispenser that I'm sure you haven't seen before. The GA component helps to exfoliate your skin and remove old, dead, skin cells to reveal a fresh and youthful appearance. 

What's So Great About Glycolic Acid?

-Glycolic Acid is used most commonly for chemical peels but is available over the counter in much lower concentrations. GA has the ability to penetrate the skin deeply and work with the upper layer of the Epidermis to weaken the lipids that hold dead skin cells together. This process allows for exfoliation to take place and eventually expose the new live cells. Also useful in skin concerns like fine lines and wrinkles, hyper-pigmentation, and acne scarring. If your skin care regime can't do this, please consider switching to one that includes Glycolic Acid.

Who It's For:

-Someone with anti-aging concerns, late 20's on up

-Acne prone skin

-Most skin types, especially good for normal-oily and even those on the normal-dry side without being really dry and in need of a much thicker and more hydrating moisturizer.

Who It's Not For:

-Super sensitive skin, those that can't tolerate Glycolic Acid or Alpha Hydroxy products

-Dehydrated, really dry skin

-Someone who requires more than an SPF 30

-Someone who is currently dealing with sunburned skin. Please wait until the skin is healed before applying any GA product, for it will burn like hell if you don't.

Texture of Product:

-Very silky smooth, if you've ever tried Clinique Dramatically Different Gel formula, its similar to this but with more hydration.

-A little goes a long way, its a thin texture but this doesn't mean you need a ton of it to do the job. If you use more than a thin layer, you run the risk of it balling up and flaking off.

-Wears very well under make-up because the consistency feels like that of a primer in a way and gives you a smooth surface to begin your make-up application.

What You Should Know:

-Created by Dr. Jeffery Dover, I've seen the Skin Effects brand exclusively at CVS but I am not sure if that is the only place it can be found.

-Depending on your location, this can be found for around $16-$19 dollars, which isn't half bad for all that it does.

-It's recommended that you use this day cream after you've cleansed with the Skin Effects Glycolic Cream Cleanser. I haven't tried this. I am doing the fairly rigorous Obagi Nu-Derm system and do not want to push my luck with using back to back Glycolic Acid in combination with the ingredients in my daily skin care regime. 

-My skin is sensitive, fairly dry, prone to redness and break-outs around the chin area, and very picky about the ingredients in foundations and moisturizers for risk of breaking out in those little white bumps. And I have no problem tolerating the Skin Effects GA SPF 30 day cream. 

-If you are hesitant about using a Glycolic Acid moisturizer, I would suggest trying a GA cleanser first. Because this is a way to try it and wash it off rather than a moisturizer where you keep it on your skin all day. Same with the cleanser, start out every other day or even once a week and work your way up as you become more tolerant.

If you'd like to read more about Glycolic Acid and its benefits in a skin care routine, visit the link below for the  "8 Reasons To Use Glycolic Acid"

http://911skin.com/glycolic-acid-skin-care-benefits-are.html