InstaNatural Glycolic Acid Facial Peel

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 cane Water Potassium Hydroxide (cleaning agent used in liquid soap) Vitamin C Sunflower Seed Oil Onion Bulb extracts Vitamin E Eucalyptus leaf extract Ginger Root Extract Wintergreen Leaf Extract Oat Kernel Extract Hyaluronic Acid Hydroxyethylcellulose – 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.