Tag: Alpha Hydroxy Acid

Alpha Skin Care Gentle Cleansing Refreshing Face Wash

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Note: This review was updated on February 17, 2020.

Product:  Alpha Skin Care Gentle Cleansing Refreshing Face Wash.  Good skin begins with clean skin.  This cleanser delivers exactly what a cleanser should with none of the harsh side effects.

Overall Rating  = 5 stars5 Stars – Exceptional, Blew Me Away

Cost: $7.99 for 6 oz. ($1.33 per fluid ounce)  Price Category: Inexpensive

Sold By:  NeotericCosmetics (Parent Company); Wal-mart; Ulta

Container:  Plastic bottle with flip cap, outer carton.

Description:  Alpha Skin Care Gentle Cleansing Refreshing Face Wash was formerly known as Alpha Hydrox Foaming Face Wash.  The parent company, Neoteric Cosmetics, changed the name of this line from Alpha Hydrox to Alpha Skin Care a few years ago.  The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Scott’s Liquid Gold.  (Yes, the floor care products.)

Formula:   Alpha Skin Care Gentle Cleansing Face Wash contains citric alpha hydroxy acid derived from fruit.  The concentration is not listed.  I suspect the concentration is mild, as this is a gentle cleanser.  Alpha hydroxy acids aid the skin with exfoliation and cell turnover even in limited amounts.  The cleanser is pH balanced to avoid stripping the acid mantle of the skin or causing the irritation and dryness associated with most cleansers.

The cleanser is a slightly milky liquid.  It has a very light clean citrus scent.  This would be a good cleanser to use with a sonic facial brush or similar type of cleansing device.  It foams a little, but not so much as to make a mess with a mechanical cleanser.

Sensitivity:  This is a fragrance-free and dye-free product.  (Yeah!)  It is also free from soap, alcohol and parabens.

Animal Friendly:  The company’s products are cruelty-free and are never tested on animals.

Company Claims:

“What it is –

This gentle soap-free formula uses Citric Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) to whisk away make-up, dirt and excess oil from your skin’s surface and pores. It is also free of alcohol and parabens.

What it does –

  • Gently cleanses without over-drying skin
  • Restores ideal pH for effective use with Alpha Skin Care products
  • Gently removes make-up & skin impurities
  • Leaves skin feeling soft, smooth & fresh

Who it’s for – All Skin Types”

“How To Use: With warm water, gently massage onto your face and neck. Rinse thoroughly. Follow with your favorite Alpha® Skin Care products. Use morning and evening.”

Discussion:  Alpha Skin Care Gentle Cleansing Face Wash is intended to be used twice a day, morning and evening.  A good cleanser gently cleanses the skin without stripping the skin of its natural oils or upsetting the naturally acidic pH nature of the skin.  Clean skin is essential prior to the application of other skin care products or makeup.

This cleanser is pH balanced, which is important because drastic changes in pH affect enzyme activity and interfere with the skin’s normal shedding and cell turnover process (desquamation).

Daily Review:  Alpha Skin Care Gentle Cleansing Face Wash is a medium weight liquid cleanser.  It is not clear, nor opaque.  It has a slight milky or even pearly quality.  It has a very light citrus scent from the ingredients, not fragrance.  The scent is pleasant and clean smelling.  The cleanser feels silky and foams very slightly.  A small amount about the size of a dime is enough for an entire face.  After my first use, I thought I was imagining how soft my face felt.  I could not imagine that a cleanser that doesn’t possess any exfoliating or scrubbing ingredients would leave my face feeling like silk.

I then put on a full face of makeup, washed my face with the cleanser, and used a makeup wipe to see how much makeup was left on my skin.  There was almost no residue on the wipe, so it was not my imagination, and the cleanser really is effective.

I have always had a love/hate relationship with cleansers.  I know they are important, but they usually leave my sensitive skin irritated, stripped, or not feeling clean.  This cleanser left my face clean, soft and not irritated at all.

I checked with my other testers to see if their results were as impressive, and to my amazement, they agreed and gave this cleanser our highest rating. (It is almost impossible to get everyone to give a product 5 stars.)

Overall Review:  Alpha Skin Care Gentle Cleansing Refreshing Face Wash is an excellent product and is less expensive than comparable high-end cleansers.   This is not just for women and is an excellent product for men, too.

Alpha Skin Care Gentle Cleansing Refreshing Face Wash is suitable for the following skin types:

  • All ethnicities;
  • All ages;
  • All sexes;
  • All skin types.

Please see the Help page to determine your skin type.

RATINGS REPORT:

Daily Rating = 5 stars5 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = 5 stars5 Stars;

Value Rating  = 5 stars5 Stars;

Overall Rating  =5 stars 5 Stars – Blew Me Away.

(Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

Ingredients:  Water, Decyl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, PEG-3 Distearate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Citric Acid, Propylene Glycol, Diazolidinyl Urea, Idopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Sodium Chloride.

Formulated Without:  Artificial Fragrance, Alcohol, Parabens, Artificial Colors.

Alpha Skin Care Clarifying Toner

Product:  Alpha Skin Care Clarifying Toner (formerly Alpha Hydrox Toner Astringent).  Will this glycolic acid infused toner help your pores to disappear?

Overall Rating = 3+ stars3.5 Stars – Very Good

Cost: $8.52 for 6 oz. ($1.42 per fluid ounce)  Price Category: Inexpensive

Sold By: NeotericCosmetics; Wal-mart

Container: Plastic bottle with nice flip cap, outer carton.

Discussion:  Before I get into the product review, this product is a toner, which contains SD alcohol.  There is so much controversy surrounding this ingredient in cosmetics.  I have researched this ingredient extensively.  SD alcohol is Specially Denatured Ethanol.  Ethanol is, quite simply, the alcohol that you drink.  SD alcohol has denatonium benzoate added to it to make it bitter so that no one will be tempted to drink the cosmetic products.  Alcohol can be drying to people with very dry skin and it can be irritating to someone with hypersensitive skin.  On the flip side, SD alcohol can actually aid in the absorption of other ingredients to the skin and just because it is in a product, is not a bad thing.  The alcohol can act as an effective delivery agent.  I say try it and listen to your body.  If your skin doesn’t like something, it will probably tell you.  (Just don’t try a new product before a big event.)

Alpha Skin Care Clarifying Toner is an astringent intended to be used once or twice a day, after cleansing, and prior to the application of any other products.  Always apply your products following cleansing in the order from the most watery consistency to the thickest consistency.  If you have never used an alpha hydroxy acid product before, you may want to start with every other day and eventually build up to twice a day.  Alpha hydroxy acids can cause irritation to sensitive or delicate skin.  Also, this product contains a small amount of menthol.  If you are sensitive to menthol, this is not the best product for you.

Description:  Alpha Skin Care Clarifying Toner was formerly known as Alpha Hydrox Toner Astringent.  Nothing has changed except the bottle and the name.  This product is intended for consistent, oily, or consistent/oily combination skin.  As you will see if you continue reading, I use this product on my dry sensitive skin, but I use it a different way.  This is not intended for use around the eye area.  Please don’t get this in or near your eyes as it will burn terribly.

Alpha Skin Care Clarifying Toner contains alpha hydroxy acid in the form of a glycolic acid derived from fruit.  This is a fragrance-free product.  This is also PH balanced.  Alpha hydroxy acids aid the skin with exfoliation and cell turnover.  This is a chemical exfoliant, as opposed to a physical exfoliant such as a scrub or microdermabrasion.  This toner is intended to be used following cleansing and leave it on.  Due to my skin being dry, I rinse it off.

Company Claims:

“Gently removes excess oil, remaining make-up and residue leaving skin feeling fresh, clean and clear.
– Refines and tightens pores
– Balances natural oils
– Improves texture”.

Morning Review:  Alpha Skin Care Clarifying Toner is a thin blue liquid as thin as water.  To me it has a strong alcohol scent.  My male tester described the scent as a combination of alcohol and plastic.  The scent is due to the ingredients, is not offensive, and dissipates quickly.  The toner feels refreshing and cooling to the skin.  The alcohol in it does make my eyes water for a few seconds until it evaporates.

I have very dry skin.  Even though this product is intended for consistent to oily skin, I use this.  I really like how well it cleans and I find that it is not too drying to my skin provided I rinse it off.  Alpha Skin Care Clarifying Toner leaves my face feeling very clean.  It does not make my skin feel itchy or irritated.  As this toner contains beneficial glycolic acid, please do not rinse it off unless you need to.  Because my pores are so small after using this, makeup goes on beautifully.

I do have a complaint about this product and that is the fact that it is blue.  I wish manufacturers would completely stop the practice of adding artificial color to skin care products.  I’m taking off one star due to the blue dye.

Please Note:  If you have Rosacea, please check with your dermatologist before using this or any AHA product.

Please Also Note:  Alpha hydroxy acids can make your skin more susceptible to burning when you are exposed to the sun.  Please wear a sunscreen with a high SPF on top of this product to avoid burning.

Evening Review:  Provided I rinse this off, my skin does not get dry or tight and stays hydrated and smooth all day.  If I don’t rinse it off, this toner is a little too drying for my skin.  Alpha Skin Care Clarifying Toner effectively removes all traces of makeup after cleansing and I do not need to use any wipes if I use this toner.  Once again, please don’t use this near your eyes.  You will need a separate eye makeup remover.

Overall Review:  Alpha Skin Care Clarifying Toner is an excellent toner in terms of removing all traces of makeup and closing the pores.  I don’t get the added benefit of the glycolic acid because I have to rinse it off.  I have to take a point off though because I also don’t want artificial dyes or colorants on my skin if they don’t need to be there.  I also prefer alcohol-free toners for my dry skin, but sadly, the alcohol-free products don’t clean nearly as well.  Also, it is controversial for a toner to contain menthol when so many people are sensitive it.  Even with my hypersensitive skin I am not sensitive to menthol and I find the cooling effect to be refreshing.  Only you can determine if this will work for you.

Alpha Skin Care Clarifying Toner is suitable for women and men with all skin types provided it does not have a drying effect on your skin and you aren’t sensitive to menthol.  My male tester who has dry skin said this toner did not make his skin feel dry at all like most toners do.  He thought his face felt very clean, soft, and hydrated after using this toner.

Alpha Skin Care Clarifying Toner is suitable for the following skin types:

  • All ethnicities;
  • All ages;
  • All sexes;
  • Oily;
  • Dry (only if you rinse it off);
  • Sensitive (not if sensitive to menthol);
  • Consistent.

Please see the Help page to determine your skin type.

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating = 3 stars4 Stars for Effectiveness – 1 Star for Blue Dye = 3 Stars;

Evening Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = 3 stars3 Stars (also due to blue dye);

Value Rating  = 4 stars4 Stars;

Overall Rating = 3+ stars3.5 Stars, Very Good.

Would Buy Again?  Yes (I have been using this for many years.)

(Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

Alpha Hydrox Toner Astringent Former Product

Alpha Hydrox Toner Astringent Former Product

Alpha Skin Care Clarifying Toner Current Product Front

Alpha Skin Care Clarifying Toner Current Product Front

Alpha Skin Care Clarifying Toner Current Product Back

Alpha Skin Care Clarifying Toner Current Product Back

Ingredients: Water, SD Alcohol 40, Witch Hazel Distillate, Propylene Glycol, Glycolic Acid, Chamomile Extract, Panthenol, Menthol, Ammonium Hydroxide, Imidazolidinyl Urea, FD&C Blue #1.

Formulated Without:  Artificial Fragrance, Parabens.

Alpha Skin Care Essential Renewal Lotion 10%

2 Comments

Product:  Alpha Skin Care Essential Renewal Lotion 10%.  Will this powerful Alpha Hydroxy Acid lotion leave your skin radiant and youthful?  Perhaps, perhaps…

Overall Rating  = 4.75 Stars – Excellent to Blew Me Away (Rating Revised)

Cost: $16.99 for 4 oz. ($4.25 per fluid ounce)  Price Category: Inexpensive

Sold By:  NeotericCosmetics (Parent Company); Wal-mart; Ulta

Container:  Plastic bottle with flip cap, outer carton.

Description:  Alpha Skin Care Essential Renewal Lotion 10% was formerly known as Alpha Hydrox 10% AHA Enhanced Lotion.  The parent company, Neoteric Cosmetics, changed the name of this line from Alpha Hydrox to Alpha Skin Care a couple of years ago.

Alpha Skin Care Essential Renewal Lotion 10% contains 10% alpha hydroxy acid in the form of a glycolic acid derived from fruit.  This is a fragrance-free product.  Alpha hydroxy acids aid the skin with exfoliation and cell turnover.  This is a chemical exfoliant, as opposed to a physical exfoliant such as a scrub or microdermabrasion.  This is a lotion that you put on your skin and leave on.

Company Claims:

“Real Results for Lines and Wrinkles” and

“Formulated with 10% Glycolic Alpha Hydrox Acid (AHA) to gently release dead skin cells revealing fresh, healthy, younger-looking skin.
– For Normal to Dry Skin
– Free of Parabens & Fragrances
– 10% Glycolic AHA/pH 4.0
– Reduces the appearance of lines & wrinkles
– Helps to support collagen production
– Evens skin tone & texture
– Leaves skin feeling soft & smooth”

Discussion:  Alpha Skin Care Essential Renewal Lotion 10% is a moisturizing exfoliant intended to be used once or twice a day, after cleansing, toning and the application of any other lighter products such as serums.  Always apply your products following cleansing in the order from the most watery consistency to the thickest consistency.  If you have never used an alpha hydroxy acid product before, you may want to start with every other day, and eventually build up to twice a day.  Alpha hydroxy acids can cause irritation to sensitive or delicate skin.

Alpha hydroxy acids exfoliate the skin by working low in the stratum corneum, loosening the bonds that hold dead cells on the skin.  This stimulates new cell growth, allowing fresh cells to surface without breaking down the small capillaries in the skin.

It is normal to experience a slight burning or tingling when applying this product at first.  If the burning does not subside within a few minutes, this is probably too strong for you and you will need to dilute it or discontinue use.

Morning Review:  Alpha Skin Care Essential Renewal Lotion 10% is a light weight light yellow lotion.  It has a very slight chemical scent from the ingredients, not fragrance.  The scent is not offensive.  The lotion feels silky and absorbs quickly into the skin.  This makes my hypersensitive skin burn and become irritated quite a bit when I use it full strength.  The company recommended that I mix it with a moisturizer and only use it at half strength until my skin got used to it for a few days and that is how I had to use it.  My testers with normal skin and dry skin used it full strength and they did not have any adverse reactions.  They said the burning and tingling went away within a couple of minutes.  Once fully absorbed, makeup goes on very well on top of this lotion.

Please Note:  If you have Rosacea, please check with your dermatologist before using this or any AHA product.  If you have never used a product with alpha hydroxy acids before, it would be advisable to perform a patch test before using this product.  A patch test means that you apply a small amount of product to your inner arm near your elbow and wait 24 hours to see if you have a negative reaction.

Please Also Note:  Alpha hydroxy acids can make your skin more susceptible to burning when you are exposed to the sun.  Please wear a sunscreen with a high SPF on top of this product to avoid burning.

Evening Review:  After several hours my skin felt nice and smooth.  Alpha Skin Care Essential Renewal Lotion 10% really kept my skin hydrated and I did not experience the dryness and tightness that I usually have.  With extended use, the tone and texture of my skin has continued to get smoother and softer.

Overall Review:  Alpha Skin Care Essential Renewal Lotion 10% is an excellent product and it is less expensive than most AHA products.  The benefits of AHA will be seen with long-term use.  It may take a couple to several weeks to see an improvement in the tone and texture of your skin.

Edit:  After using this product for 30 days I came back and edited my rating from 4 Stars to 5 Stars.  The difference in my skin was noticeable to me and to everyone else.   I am blessed with good genes and most people guess my age to be 10-15 years less than I actually am.  With continued use of Alpha Skin Care’s Essential Renewal AHA Lotion, I intend to keep it that way!

Alpha Skin Care also makes this product with a 12% concentration of AHA that you can build up to over time, and they make a gel formula that would be more appropriate for oily skin.  (I haven’t bumped up to the 12% yet, but I’ll write another review once I do.)

Alpha Skin Care Essential Renewal Lotion 10% is suitable for the following skin types: (Not for oily or hypersensitive)

  • All ethnicities;
  • All ages;
  • All sexes;
  • Dry;
  • Sensitive; (May have to build up to it by mixing it with moisturizer.)
  • Consistent.

Please see the Help page to determine your skin type.

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating = 5 stars5 Stars;

Evening Rating = 5 stars5 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = 5 stars5 Stars;

Value Rating  = 4 stars4 Stars;

Overall Rating  = 4.75 Stars – Excellent to Blew Me Away.

Editor’s Note:  I originally gave this product 4 Stars.  After using it for over 30 days, I am revising my review to 5 Stars and my Other Testers did the same.

(Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

Alpha Skin Care Essential Renewal Lotion 10%

Alpha Skin Care Essential Renewal Lotion 10%

Alpha Hydrox 10% AHA Enhanced Lotion

Former Product Alpha Hydrox 10% AHA Enhanced Lotion

Ingredients:  Water, Glycolic Acid, Ammonium Hydroxide, Glyceryl Stearate PEG-100 Stearate, Propylene Glycol, PEG-40 Stearate, Sorbitan Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Petrolatum, Dimethicone, Myristyl Myristate, Stearic Acid, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Cellulose Gum, Sorbic Acid, BHT, Imidazolidinyl Urea.

Formulated Without:  Artificial Fragrance, Parabens, Artificial Colors.