Makeup Artist's Choice (MUAC) • Gly-Luronic Acid Serum • Treatments

ridemebigsheIdon on 4/1/2013 5:06:00 PM more reviews by ridemebigsheIdon

Age: 25-29   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

This product sounded as though it was too good to be true, so many shining reviews from those who now have radiant, clear skin. I did not find this to to be the case, however. I tried this a couple of times hoping that something else was causing me to break out, but this is the culprit. I feel as though the hyaluronic acid might be what caused my skin to react poorly, as it is basically a sugar water solution. This product brought on a small cluster of deep and red zits on my forehead which we all know are a little hard to conceal, and they take a while to subside. Too bad, because I really wanted to work this into my routine!

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Souicidoll on 2/10/2013 8:14:00 AM more reviews by Souicidoll

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Tan   Hair: Red, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I am 35 with oily skin, had a horrible cystic acne break out a little over a year ago. It started with a few on my cheeks/forehead. Fine, I was able to conceal it with my hair. But once it started, there was no stopping it and it just kept getting worse. My acne escalated at a fast rate. Having had smooth, clear skin, with the exception of occasional break out, my whole life...this was a very traumatic experience for me, as I'm sure it would be for anyone. I was depressed, became recluse, and avoided mirrors and taking pictures. I just didn't want to see or look at myself. It definitely affected me psychologically. I felt so helpless and did not know what to do with my face, nothing worked. It would take weeks/months for a cystic pimple to go away. Imagine having that all over your face. Most of it eventually cleared up, MOST, I still consistently had a few on my face. So, now that 80% of my face cleared up, I was left with a very damaged acne scarred face. Dark spots, 'ice pick scars', 'potholes'...you name it, I have it. I researched a lot about the type of acne I had but absolutely could not afford professional medical help for I have no health insurance.


Desperate, and in search of at home chemical peels and products, I came across Make Up Artist Choice website. I ordered 30% glycolic peel and gly-luronic acid. Both used in conjunction (and according to instructions) have worked miracles on my face! There was a lot of damage done to my face so I was not expecting overnight miracle but this stuff really works! It keeps the break outs at bay. I stopped using products for about a month so I broke out around my jawline, one being a really big cystic pimple. So, I did my glycolic peel and waited 2 days after the peel to use the gly-luronic serum. Let me tell you, and also consider this a warning...2 days after using the serum on my face I woke up one morning and looked at my pimple in the mirror because it was feeling really tender and sore. My cystic pimple which normally takes weeks/months to go away came to a head!! I know your not suppose to pop pimples and just let it do it's own thing but this was way too big for me to just leave alone. I popped and using 2 qtips to gently squeeze the stuff out. I didn't have to apply that much pressure to the pimple it just oozed and sprayed out. It was a really infected area because so much stuff came out of it. I know this sounds gross and it is, but I was pretty satisfied with all the stuff that leaked out. I cleaned it and then applied the serum directly on infected area. I only use product a few times a week, more if I'm breaking out and this serum just speeds up the healing process of pimples. I would try to avoid using it around the corners of the nose, as that's a very sensitive area (for me at least). I put a couple to a few drops on my fingertips and concentrate on areas where there's the most damage (cheeks for me), then with the remaining that's still on my fingertips, I pat my forehead, nose, chin area with what's left over on my fingers because these areas don't need that much product.


With that being said, I will definitely repurchase the product. I purchased the 1 oz bottle for $25.50, packaging is very basic and minimal which, I do not mind at all. As long as a product works and does what it says it will do, I don't need the fancy packaging. It seems expensive for a small 1 oz bottle but considering how well this stuff works, it's a very small price to pay!! On nights when I use the serum, I wake up to soft, bright, and smoother looking skin. I can't even begin to imagine how well this stuff will work for someone with already good skin but just wants to maintain brightness and smoothness of skin. Sorry this review was long but I hope that it was helpful and informative :)

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MojoWorkin on 9/25/2012 11:08:00 AM more reviews by MojoWorkin

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

Got a sample of this and have used it to lighten scars from acne, I think it's working.

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xlitlbitx on 9/6/2012 2:55:00 AM more reviews by xlitlbitx

Age: 36-43   Skin: Acne-prone, Medium   Hair: Black, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

I was torn about this product after reading all the mixed reviews. I have acne/oily skin and also have melasma on parts of my face. So I decided to purchase a sample and hoped that it would help my skin. After a few days of using it I saw a diffence with my acne and spots on my face. I was so pleased and decided to purchase a full size bottle and then saw the price "Ouch" so since I only use it at night I decided to purchase a sample again as I don't use alot of it, just at night and just use my finger tips to apply it.

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*TOP REVIEWER* heathermrm on 4/26/2012 12:41:00 PM more reviews by heathermrm

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

I have fine-tuned my skincare regime to include the following MUAC products (see separate reviews):

1. 25% mandelic acid peel

2. fade peel

3. vitamin C


Background - I have melasma spots on my forehead (x3) and 1 on each cheek (back towards my ears). I have subtype 1 (blushing) rosacea on the apples of my cheeks w/ some broken caps along the sides of my nose and what are probably sebaceous filaments (vs blackheads) along the sides of my nose (not horribly visible, but bothersome to me) I have basically normal/combo skin w/ slightly drier cheeks and slightly oilier t-zone. I'm 46 so have the start of some fine lines. Whew - if you made it thru all that, I'm impressed :)


About 6 months back and at the advice of MUAC, I started using this product in the a.m. (followed by hi spf/hi ppd SS) and relegated the Vitamin C to nights. That routine definitely was a bonus for my skin and having not used it for the past few months, I just re-ordered today as I miss the extra fabulous results I was getting.


Truly, those pesky black spots along the side of my nose were less noticeable (even more so than when just using other MUAC products alone) and my skin seemed even more even toned. This doesn't upset my rosacea at all; my skin seems more balanced and not irritated. I do feel it assists in fading my melasma and I get NO TTOM pimples when using.


I'm convinced that the Gly-Luronic Acid Serum is a crucial part to my skincare regime (which is why I just ordered more today.)


PS - forgot to add - this product, in conjunction w/ the 25% mandelic acid peel, seems to diminish some flesh colored raised bumps (as in less raised, becoming smaller) I have along the very tops of the apples of my cheeks (no idea what the official name is) = WHOOT!! :)

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jaeselle on 1/28/2012 1:53:00 PM more reviews by jaeselle

Age: 36-43   Skin: Dry, Medium, Cool   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Green    

I had oily acne-prone skin and used the this product for 6 years. My skin responds well to AHA & BHA acids.

What makes this product rank above the PTR BHA/AHA serum and Paula's Choice AHA 8% liquid is that the MUAC is combined with hyluronic acid and is more gentle on my skin.

BHAs clear our your pores and AHAs are GREAT for exfoliating deep skin cells. This serum is light enough but super effective at doing that.

While the glycolic acid is doing it's job it's also allowing the hyluronic acid to seep in and moisturize at the same time which is great for those that have flaky/peeling skin after using glycolic acid products.

I only used this product at night (after applying Paula's Choice BHA 2% liquid).

I will say i could not use this every night b/c my face would get a little red from the glycolic acid-- but used maybe 2-3/x week it's great for brightening your skin overnight.

DO NOT use this in conjunction with Retin A or any hefty VitC serums b/c you might see greater redness. I am a cult follower or MUAC choice products, they have ben a staple of mine for 8+ years. Great formulations!

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didibabez on 11/27/2011 2:31:00 PM more reviews by didibabez

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

After having the worst breakout ever (I mean I think it was worst then anyone elses out there, cysts, acne, blackheads, inflamation...)..a friend recommended MUAC so since I was trying everythin else already, I bought this out of curiosity. It saved my skin for a year but then I guess my skin got so used to it that I felt it wasn't workin anymore. The first time I tried this, it melted my acne but now since my skin is so used to it, I don't think it works anymore. I still have hopes for this since I fell in love with this product at first. I broke out again after a year and this hasn't helped me much.

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*TOP REVIEWER* MaryEllen on 10/6/2011 3:01:00 AM more reviews by MaryEllen

Age: 44-55   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

I'm really liking this simple, light serum. I don't have acne, but I do have melasma, a few clumps of chin hair (ugh) that make me look like I'm breaking out when they're under the skin and untweezable, and dull-ish skin. This almost watery serum is easy to spot-apply (with a Q-Tip) and really does the trick for my skin problems. It's lightened my melasma, gives that extra boost of exfoliation to my chin so those hairs can be tweezed more readily (eliminating the broken-out look), and brightened my complexion overall. I use it twice daily and have had no problems of any kind with it. BTW, I use PSF's Vitamin C serum during the day (with this product spot-applied first) and have had no breakouts, but my primary problem is not acne, but discoloration and age-related issues. I've already bought a full size. Love it!


Ingredients: Deionized Water, Glycolic Acid Ultrapure (buffered w/ Ammonium Hydroxide), Aloe Vera Gel, Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid), Ethoxydiglycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Benzyl Alcohol (Preservative), Methylisothiazolinone (Preservative).

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Gaeia on 5/22/2011 1:27:00 AM more reviews by Gaeia

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Blue    

I really like this product but I wanted to give a heads up to those of you who have experienced breakouts from this glyluronic serum (or for that matter anything with glycolic or lactic acid.) Avoid using within 72 hrs of having used anything with vitamin C in the ingredient list, this also applies to any oil of olay product- I can't begin to describe my nightmare experiences using both this and the others listed w/in a short time period. Also- no PICKING, plucking eyebrows or waxing- SERIOUSLY. If you stick to these rules- no breakouts unless you're purging.

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*TOP REVIEWER* MsLove on 4/9/2011 10:38:00 AM more reviews by MsLove

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Olive, Warm   Hair: Other, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I have used the gly-luronic serum for the past year, off and on. It works very well for my skin, which is changing as I enter my 30s. Sometimes its dry, sometimes combo, I think the oil production levels and environmental stress introduces new needs. I have tried a number of MUAC products, and the quality is very high. However, this serum, the 40% Lactic Acid peel, and the Tea Tree Oil wash are my three favorites for my skin type. I believe the combination of all three have helped consistently keep acne at bay, moisturize skin, improve tone, reduce lines and attempts of wrinkles, and helped to fade acne scars. My skin looks fresh, bright, and it is because it is NEW skin cells that havent been damaged.


I have used the GLS under makeup, in the evening before a moisturizer, and it does what it says it will do. No irritation, no smell, no stickiness, it soaks in and I dont worry about it. Usually I use this in between periods where I am not getting a weekly chemical peel or using any other type of product. One very small vial lasted me for about 3 months using it this way.


I think that the best thing to do is listen to your skin. If you are using the treatment and it works well, give it some time to rest and heal. Then, maybe refresh with it. I never used this serum every single day, for every single week, for multiple months in a row. Just like our diets need balance with different nutrients, sometimes I think our skin does too. So when I get get results from this, I will just use a good face wash and moisturizer and I coast on that performance for awhile. Then if I notice my skin changing again, I may reintroduce it.


UPDATED 03/11/2013 - I still use this serum at 31 years of age, and I still very much like the way it has performed consistently over the years, regardless of hormal changes (pregnancy, age), weather, or skin. MUAC is a fantastic line and I hope that they never change their method to providing high quality products at a reasonable cost. I also use AHA/BHA Tea Tree Oil face wash, or the 25% mandelic acid on occasion and that is also great and performs well every time.

8 out of 8 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

ineffable on 3/2/2011 7:34:00 PM more reviews by ineffable

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Warm   Hair: Red, Straight, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

I bought this along with my MUAC peels and I really wanted it to work, but my face is breaking out so bad in places that I never have problems with. (On my cheeks, the only problem areas I have are my chin and forehead.) I don't think it's purging, I had no clogs where the new breakouts were, and don't think I can stick it out to see if they clear because there's four or five new spots every morning. Too bad since it seems to work so well for everybody else.

EDIT: It's been over two months and the breakout that this caused has pretty much engulfed my entire cheek and left some of the worst scarring I've ever had in it's wake. I'll be lucky if I don't get icepick scars from this. I regret every day having tried this stuff, I can't even smile without it hurting. :C

10 out of 15 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

mshuynh on 2/17/2011 8:22:00 PM more reviews by mshuynh

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

I have oily acne/blackhead prone skin. I brought this as I was looking for something to use at night and that contains an AHA as my acne prefers it to a BHA. I use this every evening after I wash my face, It does not cause extra breakouts for me like others report. If I forget to use this my skin let's me know!! In the morning after I've used this, I wash my face and it is smooth and soft. What's good about MUAC is that you can buy sample sizes to try the product. My sample bottle has lasted me at least 3 months of daily use. The reason I don't give it 5 lippies is that It lacks those extra ingredients to make it special. It is a basic glycolic treatment and I don't think it's a particularly strong percent. After my sample I brought the full size, but after this is finished I will be either try Paula's choice or go back to PTR gel.

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jenwest on 1/27/2011 4:01:00 AM more reviews by jenwest

Age: 36-43   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

I had been using various products to lighten sun spots on my face for months with limited, slow results and was skeptical about this product, but when I added in gly-luronic acid serum to the regimen of alternating mandelic and lactic acid peels (both MUAC and low %) the spots started to fade VERY quickly and noticeably. I have not had problems that others report with breakouts or sticky consistency

I use it almost daily around the outer part of my eyes and top of cheeks and then apply cream over it once it has dried. Packaging is cheap like all MUAC products but sufficient.

Will continue to buy as long as they make this!

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

KimberlyDoll10 on 1/23/2011 4:25:00 PM more reviews by KimberlyDoll10

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I am on my 2nd bottle of this. This is a good step up from Alpha Hydrox's Souffle. It has a slightly higher percentage of Glycolic Acid. (From 12 percent to 15 percent)

Glycolic Acid is my key to getting rid of hyperpigmentation and keeping acne away. I use this at night after washing my face. I am too young to worry about wrinkles but I am sure this is good for that too. This serum is good because a little goes a long way and it also somewhat moisturizes my skin. Dont overdo it though because you will become more peely and possibly burn yourself.

Also, the price is good for the amount you get. I have been very pleased with everything I order from MUAC.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

cherryredtarts on 12/28/2010 4:31:00 PM more reviews by cherryredtarts

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Very Oily, Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

It's been half a year since I used it. The biggest complaint I have is that it's sticky upon application and when you try to put moisturizer over it, your face becomes a bit oily and I actually ended up oilier by the middle of the day. I was really hyped about this product since it had high ratings for it but I have not seen any evident changes on my acne scars. The good thing is that this serum doesn't contribute to more acne but I feel like it did nothing for my skin. It's probably because my complexion is an oil slick but you try try a sample to see how it reacts to your skin.

There is 50% Hyaluronic Acid in this so drier skins should give it a try.

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mooky on 12/21/2010 11:51:00 AM more reviews by mooky

Age: 30-35   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Hazel    

I also wanted to like this so badly, but it seems like EVERY type of product with glycolic acid gives me huge cysts on my face that take days to heal.

I like MUAC for some other products but this one is going on the swap list.... :( if you are acne prone, be careful and test it on part of your skin (like your forehead--it made me breakout there and I rarely breakout in this area) before you put it all over your face.

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emmalou29 on 12/12/2010 9:50:00 AM more reviews by emmalou29

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I have just started using the gly-luronic acid serum for just over 5 days alongside MUAC's Rose Hibicus Scar Cream. My skin beforehand was quite red and I had a couple of breakouts. The product is easy to use...just massage into the skin, however it does smell a bit. The product has so far cleared up my skin quite a bit but is now starting to bring out the blackheads in my skin, which I suppose is a good thing, however my this is causing the texture of my skin not to be so great will go on to use an exfoliator and see the results at a later date. The product also makes your skin fairly oily / glowy as I have been using it under my make up in the day and at night, so if your skin is oily like mine I would recommend just using it before bed time. So far so good will update and edit soon.

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jcaritas on 12/11/2010 11:22:00 PM more reviews by jcaritas

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

I really wanted to like this -- in fact, when it didn't work for me the first time, I still came back to it about 6 months later (after rereading all the great reviews). Both times, it caused me a week or so of mild peeling (just enough to flake off my makeup -- annoying) followed by HORRIBLE breakouts, for week after week. I didn't remember how long I'd stuck with it the first time, so I attempted to wait it out this time, hoping it was just purging. No go. After about a month, I just couldn't take it anymore -- I'm 40, so I rarely get a pimple anymore, let alone 5 big ones at the same time, and it's just embarrassing at my age. I'll have to toss my bottle so I'm not tempted again!

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

mrclark2 on 12/10/2010 1:16:00 PM more reviews by mrclark2

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Hazel    

When I read the reviews, I became so excited. When I received the product, I was ecstatic. Now, after two weeks of using this product religiously, my skin is worse than it has ever been in my life. The only thing this product did was shrink my pores, but in return I got huge cystic pimples, small, red, puss filled bumps all over my cheeks. It also made my forehead break out, which is the only place I never have problems. I'm sure this product helps a lot of people, but it was the worse money I've ever spent.

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

Chloe20 on 10/21/2010 10:30:00 PM more reviews by Chloe20

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

I just recevied this a few days ago along with some other things I ordered. I ordere a full size of this, and a sample of the Mandelic Acid 25% peel. I did the peel last night and put some of there roship scar cream on afterwards, and then today my face is already like ten times better! It is slightly dry but not too bad. So before I put on my makeup today I put on some of this serum..it didnt sting or burn at all and it felt very refreshing! I know its early but all these products seem like total winners! I am definetley going to keep up with the mandelic acid peel, the instructions for that say to do it up to four times a week. Eventually I want to do a TCA peel to even everything out, but for the time being this serum is the best thing for my skin!
UPDATE- this stuff made me majorly break out after a whlie. I was using it every night, so maybe that had something to do with it. not sure, but I switched to the 8% aha, and I leave that on over night and its amazing! That combined with proactive is truly amazing.

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