Alpha Hydrox • face lotion • Treatments

fatkittykitty on 8/21/2010 7:09:00 PM more reviews by fatkittykitty

Age: 19-24   Skin: Dry, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

I use this in conjunction with Retinol Rescue, which I apply a few times a week.
I purchased this product with major hopes that it would alleviate my acne, which is not too bad, but still a source of annoyance and frustration for me, as I am 22 and enjoyed an acne-free existence for a while before it came back for reasons I haven't yet been able to determine. It seems to help, as long as I do not touch the pimples which do pop up and just let them ride out their cycle, they hardly call attention to themselves AND do not last nearly as long. Unfortunately it has done nothing for the stubborn blackheads on my nose that I have had for years and for which I have tried everything to get rid of.
Overall, though, since a month ago when I started using this lotion, I have seen a skin improvement. My face looks soft and glowy most of the time, which is more often than it used to. I love that I only need a thin layer once a day and my quite dry skin is happy. I also love the amazing price ($12 for a huge bottle) and the fact that it is unscented, partly because perfumes can carry chemicals and partly because I live with someone with fragrance allergies. It does make my skin flaky which is annoying but I also know that it is doing its job. I enjoy being able to exfoliate and moisturize in one step.
It may not have done wonders for my acne, but the tiny fine lines I had before using this product? Great results! I used to have pretty pronounced parenthetical expression lines around my mouth, and some very fine lines around my eyes, but since using this product they have all but disappeared. And I was using an organic oatmeal moisturizer before! So, I am pleased with this product, it gets 4 stars because it hasn't cleared my skin as much as I wanted it to, but it has made it better!

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

karamelsutra on 4/9/2010 8:22:00 AM more reviews by karamelsutra

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily, Olive   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

i have been using this for a long time now. i love using this when my pimples leave dark spots. maybe with everyday use.. they fade within a month. i also use them on cystic acne.. and then put a mask on top. it really shrinks those suckers. good stuff!

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

meowsers2 on 3/14/2010 10:19:00 PM more reviews by meowsers2

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

I had always heard great things about this product, especially from others with acne-prone skin. About 6 months ago I decided to give it a whirl. I bought it on drugstore.com for around$11, which I though was pretty reasonable for 6oz.
Within a couple of days, I definitely noticed a difference in my skin's softness and clarity. I felt like my complexion was glowing. It only got better and better over the weeks that followed. I have not had nearly as many breakouts since using this product. The best thing is that it fades red acne scars very quickly. I actually have been going out to run errands and even to work or school w/o foundation...which is something that would have been impossible a year ago, or even 6 months ago. My face looks much smoother and clearer than it has in a long time.
A lot of people give this product a bad review because it dried the skin out, which I think is just ridiculous. This is not intended to be a primary moisturizer. It is more of a treatment to go under moisturizer. I use it under Burt's Bees Radiance day creme and my face is supple and smooth...not dry at all, and not oily-looking.
It does sting sometimes, but not badly and not for long. It stinks a bit, but I did not buy it for it's pleasing aroma. I also use this product on my thighs and butt during swimsuit season and it works at smoothing those areas, as well. lol

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* loverofmineralmakeup on 9/14/2009 10:55:00 PM more reviews by loverofmineralmakeup

Age: 36-43   Skin: Normal, Warm   Hair: Black, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

I used this product over a decade ago and I didn't work for me. It neither toned, moisturized nor smoothed my skin and actually dried out my skin. I am not sure if this product is still in the stores but if it is, please don't buy it.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* Paulygirl21 on 10/28/2007 12:09:00 AM more reviews by Paulygirl21

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I ordered this and the foot cream online and anxiously awaited it's arrival. From a person who has suffered black-heads all of her teenage and adult life, I was amazed to find them almost entirely diminished. My face was so smooth, and my hands were nearly flawless. This really is an amazing product! Keep in mind, I used this once! I will definitely repurchase and look forward to more results.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

sess42 on 2/13/2007 8:22:00 PM more reviews by sess42

Age: Unknown   Skin: Normal   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

My mother uses this lotion and she gets compliments about face all the time and my mother has never worn make-up in her life. I decided to try it since I need a new lotion and my face has been dry lately.
I don't have sensitive skin & I'm not the one to have skin problems either, but this lotion didn't work for me it caused my skin to severly dry, so I started using more and my face became worse, it looked like a white powder came over my face. As soon as I stopped using the lotion my face cleared up.
I know it works for a lot of people but it didn't work for me.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

luckyduck1 on 1/20/2007 11:43:00 PM more reviews by luckyduck1

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

might seem weird, but I tried this on a suggestion that it helps with bikini irritation...it worked great! no redness, bumps, etc.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

errerak on 6/6/2006 1:33:00 PM more reviews by errerak

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

I started using this with the Clear Skin Regimen and it has made a ton of difference! I think it works in conjunction with the rest of the process but my skin has never been clearer or smoother. I have suffered from acne since I was 12 (I am now 35) and I have the best skin of my life!

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* rossjen on 3/1/2006 3:04:00 PM more reviews by rossjen

Age: 25-29   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I am reviewing the Walgreens knockoff of this lotion, which is just as good. I think Alpha Hydrox are great value for the money and exceptional products. The reason I did not give it a five-star rating is because I have very sensitive skin which cannot handle AHAs. If you have sensitive skin, be careful with this, the AHA concentration is high. For those that can use this without irritation, it is very effective.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

sase on 1/29/2006 6:36:00 PM more reviews by sase

Age: 19-24   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

I am currently using Wal-Greens knock off brand of this stuff but find it works just as great. I was reaching for the 'real stuff" when I noticed this bottle next to it priced at 5.99. Not to shabby so I decided to take a chance on this stuff. It has worked wonders for my skin. My skin is completely clear, smooth and as my boyfriend says radiant( then again he was just probably buttering me up! =) I use this at night and have found my hormonal breakouts have stopped completely, I haven't have a breakout in weeks. I haven't had to wear any kind of cover up makeup and somedays I don't even bother wearing powder. For the size of the bottle, price and result, I will be buying this over and over again!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Brunch on 1/28/2006 4:38:00 PM more reviews by Brunch

Age: 30-35   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

I've been using this for years. At my recent 15 year high school reunion I heard "you look younger than you did in H.S.!" (well, they actually said "high school"). This may be my genetics - oily, large pored skin. But when I started using this in my early 20's I received a sudden barrage of "your skin looks GREAT!", which I had never heard before (see oily, large-pored). So now that I'm in the next decade, I switch between Avage & this.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* flairgirl8 on 12/9/2005 12:33:00 PM more reviews by flairgirl8

Age: 30-35   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

I have used Alpha Hydrox off and on for years. You just can't beat the value of this 10% alpha hydroxy at the proper pH. A 6oz bottle is under $15. I use this all over my body to keep the barnacles of age at bay. I would say that for oily and combination skin this might be enough but dry to normal skin will probably want to apply a moisturizer on top of this. I apply the Alpha Hydrox on my body let it soak in and then apply Dove Intensive firming cream on top and my skin looks and feels soft and smooth. Fragrance free and a pH of 4.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Lesly2 on 9/16/2005 7:34:00 PM more reviews by Lesly2

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Blue    

I know its supposed to work, but it just isnt doing anything on my face. I cant really tell I have used it at all.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* Amandafly on 7/21/2005 4:40:00 AM more reviews by Amandafly

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

It stings some, but for the discomfort it is worth the price. I was using the Long's Alpha Hydroxy Acid Lotion but this brand works far better. I like how there's Vitamin E in this lotion and when used in conjunction with Alpha Hydrox cleanser you have a top notch skin care regimen. It isn't expensive either, for the glowing, invisible pored look this is worth the $.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* fes_fsa on 5/14/2005 2:45:00 AM more reviews by fes_fsa

Age: 19-24   Skin: Very Dry, Olive, Neutral   Hair: Black, Straight, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

this stuff is great. it smooths your skin well. if you hadn't used an exfoliating cream prior to using this it hurts and irritates initially (what satisfactory exfoliant doesn't?), but you build up a tolerance and the payoff is well worth a few days of pain and acne (just my experience: the blackheads on my T-zone turned to zits, but it was just them coming to the surface--they didn't reappear and all the little ones cleared up after a week).this stuff, while it works well, it doesn't moisturize at all, so i have to put lotion/moisturizer over this or my skin will dry up badly. it's kind of a pain in the butt, because in order for me to see results, i've got to give this about 5 min to "sink in" before applying moisturizer and then i've got to give THAT 10 or so min before applying makeup. i'm using this right now, because i'm "expecting" and was told by my OB to abstain from using retinol products, but if i had my choice, i'd be using SCA 5 Essentials Creme. this product is good when used in combination with a moisturizer, but i don't like taking an extra 15 minutes of time to get the most out of my money. that time is better spent trying makeup. :)

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Kayli on 3/28/2005 10:06:00 AM more reviews by Kayli

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

OMG! when i first tried this, i hated it. my skin got worse before it got better. and boy did it sting! and tingle! bad! but be persistent, give it at least a month. after a while, the initial breakouts will be gone and smoother softer skin surfaced. i have struggled with acne for ten frickin' years and nothing has come close to this! it works faster that anything i've ever tried. i've been on the acne.org regime, the murad regime, the acne cure, the dermalogica, etc. and this is definitely the best. everyone's been praising my skin. i have a really big zit below my lip and it got bigger from my constant picking (my bad!) but two nights with this stuff and its already healing. BP or SA would have taken weeks. this is so my HG! (could be gentler though nut good for it's price.)

oh, but some warning though: because AHA removes the outer layer of your skin, its also taking away its protective layer. FDA reccommends a sunscreen 15 to 30 and protective clothing, otherwise AHA can cause more danage than good. also, because this is a fairly new drug (it's only been brought to the consumer market in 1993) there are no long term testing on the effects of AHAs.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

chanomee on 3/16/2005 10:54:00 PM more reviews by chanomee

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I really like this product. I can definitely see a difference in my skin when I use it regularly; it is smoother, clearer and more even-toned. It also dries up pimples in record time (they are usually smaller, drier, and less red by the next morning). I use it at night after washing, and it can sting a little at first, but that goes away once your skin gets used to it. The smell isn't the best, but the results are worth it.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

monsika on 8/17/2004 5:48:00 PM more reviews by monsika

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

This just did not work for my skin. (sensitive combo). Every time I've used it I was red and broken out the next day. I guess its one of those things you have to try to see if it will work for you.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

IrisLA on 7/6/2004 1:42:00 AM more reviews by IrisLA

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

This works great for smoothing out your skin. I've used Alpha Hydrox for years on my cheeks (I use Paula's Choice 1% BHA on my T-zone), and I haven't had any dryness or flakiness. I even dab it around my eyes before putting on eye cream because the AHA helps prepare your skin for absorbing other creams. Since it's cheap, I also use it on my heels, elbows and knees. No more rough skin! The only reason I didn't give this 5 lippies is because it lacks antioxidants. You can get other AHA creams with antioxidants, but you would have to pay at least 3X more. So I just use moisturizers with antioxidants over the Alpha Hydrox. You can't beat this product for effectiveness and price. Will re-purchase.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Griffin1104 on 7/2/2004 12:01:00 AM more reviews by Griffin1104

Age: Unknown   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

I want to like it, but I don't. I find the bottle clunky, the smell not that attractive, and the results are not there. In fact, it's too heavy for my skin. It actually aggravated my skin and caused additional breakouts. I'm going to hang on until winter, though, to see if it works better under harsher conditions. In the meantim, I'll stick with the replacement product...the oil-free gel.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No