InstaNatural 30% Glycolic Acid AHA BHA Chemical Peel, Glycolic Acid Peel with Vitamin C, Lactic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid and Salicylic Acid, BHA Chemical Exfoliant for Face

This is my own Full-Price personal purchase, without any contact from this company.I am an older woman, (mid-sixties) with mature skin, and I had never experienced a Glycolic Acid Peel either in a spa or in any ‘at-home’ use. I chose this product because it had 30% glycolic acid, more than the minimum offered in some products but less than the maximum of other glycolic peels. Therefore, although I did want to receive some results, I was not comfortable purchasing the strongest concentration amount of Glycolic Acid for my first initial trial.My reason for trying a Glycolic Peel was due to the dullness of my aging complexion. Unfortunately, our skin loses the capacity to regenerate and the rate at which it does renew, it gradually slows with age and takes up to three times longer to heal than a younger adult's skin. In addition, it seems that it takes much longer for my lower and healthier skin cells to surface to the top for healthier and younger looking skin than when I was much younger.Some personal background information:Since ‘sunscreen’ was not yet available or even invented until my late 20’s I had some UV damage on my face. I had a number of sun freckles, but even worse were some light brown color blotches on my face, which was common for a woman in my age bracket, who had spent some time in the sun.Three years ago, I had a facial CO2 procedure, which is a Fractural Laser skin resurface that burns off the top few skin layers from the skin’s surface. This was expensive and very painful, but the fastest way to receive results. For the next six months, my skin looked amazing, it eliminated all sunspots, freckles and fine lines, bringing forth the fresh, healthy and line-free skin. This does not remove deeper wrinkles, and any tightening of the skin is temporary, so this is NOT the same as a ‘face-lift’.However, as warned, this was only a temporary outcome as my fine lines returned, along with some ‘sun freckles’. However, the darker sun blotches remained permanently erased, and did not come back.Therefore, I hoped the ‘glycolic peel’ would be less intensive than a ‘facial laser resurface procedure, but stronger than the usual exfoliation scrubs and brush methods. I knew my results would not be, as positive and dramatic, but I was not willing to repeat the painful and excruciating, treatment of the laser skin resurface and burning CO2 treatment.Furthermore, I was familiar with all the ingredients.Ingredients:Glycolic Acid - sounds scary, but it is just a derivative of sugar caneWaterPotassium Hydroxide (cleaning agent used in liquid soap)Vitamin CSunflower Seed OilOnion Bulb extractsVitamin EEucalyptus leaf extractGinger Root ExtractWintergreen Leaf ExtractOat Kernel ExtractHyaluronic AcidHydroxyethylcellulose – thickening agent made from cellulose (a safe and non-toxic substance for use in medicines, skin-care products and cosmetics)Allantoin - a moisturizer to treat or prevent dry, rough, scaly, itchy skin and minor skin irritations softens and moisturize the skin, decreases itching and flaking.***************************My Procedure:The InstaNatural Glycolic Peel comes in a l fl. oz. pump applicator bottle, pre-mixed with all the ingredients and ready for an immediate application.The viscosity is a little thicker than water, and I did not detect any scent or odor.I washed my face to remove any traces of dirt and/or make-up, and gently patted dry.Then I filled my washbasin with cold water in order to rinse my face quickly if the solution was too strong for my skin.I set my digital timer for 1 minute.I pumped the glycolic acid onto a cotton ball and applied a very light layer of the glycolic acid on my face.There was no stinging, no burning, and no irritation, and after my minute was up, I reset it for another minute. I did NOT experience any discomfort and did not encounter any redness, or inflammation. I had a mixed reaction, although I was relieved that there was no tingling or pain, I did worry that I may not receive my desired results.After I rinsed the glycolic acid peel off my face, I continued with my usual nightly skin-care routine. However, I used a regular moisturizer instead of my normal retinol moisturizer before I went to bed.In the morning, the only thing I noticed was that my skin was super soft and however, there was not any peeling or any other change.Six nights later, I reapplied the glycolic acid, waited two minutes and rinsed it off. Once again, my skin was incredibly softer in the morning, only this time I noticed that my skin looked a bit brighter and some sun freckles seem to be fading.Again, six nights later I applied the third application, and left the glycolic mixture on for two minutes. Each morning after my application, I experience much softer skin and a brighter skin tone because the lighter sun freckles have vanished. In addition, some of the more prominent sunspots have diminished, and my skin texture is getting smoother.My Results:Currently, it has been a month and I’ve used the InstaNatural glycolic peel 5 times. My results have included softer skin, some lighter sunspots have disappeared and some more prominent ones are lighter. I have also noticed that my skin texture (fine lines) have improved, my forehead and the left side of my face looks amazing, and the right side, (my sleep side) is better too. (Although I know that sleeping on my side encourages skin wrinkles, I just can’t fall asleep while lying on my back.)In conclusion, although I never experienced any discomfort such as redness, inflammation, peeling, or flaking, this glycolic peel has given me some exceptional results. My facial skin is very soft, some of my lighter sunspots have disappeared, and others are fading. In addition, this glycolic acid peel has stimulated growth of new collagen fibers, which has reduced the effects of the fine surface wrinkles on my skin. Per the instructions of this peel, I have NOT used any retinol skin products, and so my positive effects are strictly from this glycolic acid peel. Although I did not immediately receive any dramatic results, I did continue this process on a regular basis. This has given me gradual improvements that have shown substantial visual results over the course of a single month.This Glycolic Acid Peel process is different from the ‘CO2 Laser Fractural Skin Resurfacing, the results take longer and are not as dramatic. However, a CO2 treatment costs thousands of dollars and there is a lot of burning pain involved, and my face was a bloody and scabby mess for several days after. The Glycolic Acid Peel is pain free for me, and I have not experienced any embarrassing skin peeling.However, I have realistic expectations and I am encouraged by my overall results. Therefore, I will continue to use this product to maintain my improvements.I have submitted some pictures taken throughout the month to show my progress. I took them first thing in the morning, before applying any skin-care and cosmetic products, and under the harsh lighting in my bathroom.WARNING: Early morning pictures of a 66-year-old woman are NOT pretty and NOT attractive.

Whenever a product has thousands of positive reviews there is a little part of me that wonders whether it's because it's really that great of a product or whether it's somewhat of a psychological phenomenon wherein the reviewer believes the hype of the previous reviews and sees results that aren't really there. Well, that's not the case with this product. The hype is legit. I am a big fan of AHA gel (I use Paula's choice). But I decided to try something a little stronger and, based on the massive amount of positive reviews, bought this peel. I decided to use it 3 times before I reviewed it, so I could give it time to produce any results. Well, it has done exactly what it says it will do. My facial skin is bright, discoloration and redness have been reduced, and my skin tone is more even then it has ever previously been. I can't attest to wrinkles as I haven't used it long enough to form an opinion on that. First off, this is NOT a peel. This doesn't go on like a mask of any kind that you then peel off. It is an almost water type substance that you smooth over your face (taking care not to get on lips or anywhere near eyes) and then rinse off with cold water 1-2 minutes later. The package states firmly not to use it more than once a week and I have followed that direction. I also have increased my time over the 3 weeks from 1 minute with the liquid sitting on my face up to 2 minutes on my third use. It tingles but by no means burns or stings. I have included a pic of my face the moment after I rinsed it following my third application of it. I am 38 years old with skin that tends to be quite dull, flaky and with red spots and the beginning of aging type spots. But this pic shows what 3 weeks of once a week use has done for my complexion. My skin looks and feels better than it ever has. I will come back and update this after 3 months of use if this product has diminished any fine lines and wrinkles by that point. But so far I am thrilled with the results!

I have melasma and have recently started doing research into products and treatments (in addition to good sun protection) that I can use at home to try to help lessen the pigmented patches on my cheeks and upper lip, or at least to keep what I already have from getting worse since I live in Florida and am constantly exposed to high UV conditions, which is one of the main things that can darken the pigmentation. While melasma is difficult to treat and what works for one person might not work for another, I have read many articles that suggest peels have demonstrated good results. I’ve never had a peel before so I wasn’t sure how my skin would react, but I use a few other Instanatural products and I liked that the strength of this glycolic peel was higher than some other products but less than the maximum you could buy OTC. I’ve only used it once so far last night before going to bed, so it’s too soon to tell whether it will help the pigmentation or not, but I’m pleased with the product so far. It did tingle and sting a little when I put it on so I could tell it was working, but it wasn’t so much so that I felt like it would irritate my skin and cause more harm than good (irritation is another trigger for worsening melasma pigmentation). I left it on for the suggested one minute and still felt like my skin was doing well, so I added another thin layer and waited a bit longer to wash it off. I had previously had some flaking on my forehead from a primer I’d used that was too drying, but the peel took care of that. Afterward my skin felt really smooth, but not dried out or irritated at all. I followed up after the peel with a hydrating peptide serum and my regular night cream. I did have a tiny bit of redness right after but it had faded by the time I woke up this morning. It’s too soon to tell whether this product will help my pigmentation or not but so far I’m happy with my first experience using it and I’m hoping that it will be a helpful addition to my melasma treatment routine.