With alpha-hydroxy acids in nearly every skin care product on the world stage, it is very hard to choose which one is suitable for your skin. What all AHA’s have in common is their ability to exfoliate the skin, but they all have different properties that make them very different products.

AHA cleansers are very useful for every day exfoliating at home. AHA’s are also available in much stronger percentages in the skin clinics in the form of a chemical peel.

For every day maintenance and the prevention of fine lines/wrinkles, open pores and pigmentation, AHA’s should be an essential part of your everyday skincare regime.

What is the best Alpha-hydroxy Acid cleanser for normal skin?

Our Glycolic Acid Foaming Cleanser is the best cleanser for normal skin. It exfoliates the dead skin cells at the surface, unclogs pores and smooths dull rough skin. It will eliminate the appearance of very fine wrinkles and should be used twice daily. It is also an excellent make-up remover at the end of the day if required.

What is the best AHA for dry/sensitive skin?

Mandelic or Lactic Acid cleansers are the best choice for patients with extremely sensitive skin. A patient with very sensitive skin will find it difficult to tolerate a Glycolic Acid cleanser and they may have to avoid this type of cleanser completely, use it sparingly or introducing it extremely slowly. These cleansers can be very irritating in patients with very sensitive skin so patients with severe rosacea, eczema or other sensitive skin condition have to be very careful. PHA( poly-hydroxy acid) cleansers are also a good alternative for patients with extremely sensitive skin.

However, patients with papulopustular rosacea who also get pimples along with redness and sensitivity need to also exfoliate their skin and patients with eczema also get acne vulgaris. These patients should also try our Glycolic Acid Foaming Cleanser but maybe only 3 nights per week to start and often they have to follow the cleanser with the application of something like aqueous cream afterwards which should stop the irritation. Our Repair & Renew Gel (a combination of Glycolic Acid and Mandelic Acid) is also a very efficacious AHA product, the Glycolic Acid being the workhorse with the mandelic acid being gentle enough to counteract the irritation of the Glycolic Acid.

The best Alpha-hydroxy Acid cleanser for pigmented skin?

Our Glycolic Acid Foaming Cleanser is also very useful as an every day cleanser for skin with hyperpigmentation. It exfoliates the dead damaged cells at the surface of the skin making way for new healthy skin cells to take over. For best depigmentation results It should be used in combination with our Vitamin C 20%, Anti-blemish Crème and a broad spectrum sunscreen.

What is the Best AHA for mature/post-menopausal skin?

Post-menopausal skin can be quite dry so sometimes an AHA cleanser like our Glycolic Acid Foaming Cleanser is too irritating/drying.  While it really brightens up skin it is best to use it at night only as a make-up remover and maybe use a gentler cleanser like Lactic Acid or Mandelic Acid in the morning. Alternatively our Glycolic Acid Foaming Cleanser can be used twice daily but the patient will need a rich moisturizer to counteract any dryness.

If the skin is drying out with the glycolic acid cleanser then you could try our Repair & Renew Gel which will give a more tolerated exfoliation and follow with our Retinol 1%.  This is an excellent combination product that will peel off the dead skin cells and visibly reduce fine lines and wrinkles making skin look fresh and address dyspigmentation.  While glycolic acid will penetrate the skin deeply, mandelic is a much more gentle product so will help counteract any possible irritation.

We at REFORM Skincare are delighted to bring you a new subscription service through our online store.

During the last few years or offering our products online we have noticed a trend with the purchasing of products and the frequency of products bought. With this information we have determined that most people use our product during a time-frame of 4 to 8 weeks.

Our new subscription service will allow you to purchase our products and sign up for a predetermined replenishment. There will be no need to reorder, just click the sign-up button on your chosen product, pick the delivery intervals and we will do the rest.

Your PayPal or credit cared will be automatically deducted at time of purchase and the products will be shipped to your chosen address.

Our subscription service has a minimum sign-up duration of 6 months.

Let us know if you require any further information and we would be glad to assist.

We asked Dr. Naomi of REFORM Skinare to write down some of her thoughts on Retinol. This is what she had to say.

How to choose your perfect retinoid.

Retinoids have stood the test of time. Considerable scientific research shows that it improves the histological signs of skin ageing and sun-damage. Clinically: results in smoother softer skin texture, tightens the skin, improves or eradicates pre-cancerous lesions on the skin (Actinic Keratosis) improves blotchy hyper- pigmentation, increases dermal volume and tightens the skin.

So what’s the problem?

The ability of retinoic acid to correct wrinkles was overplayed by the press and patients expected too much of an improvement, prompting a backlash. The results of a topical cream can never be compared to Botox, dermal fillers, chemical peels or lasers.  Retinoids are very difficult to tolerate resulting in continued sensitivity, peeling, redness that, even after months of use, still recurs.  Retinoic acid increases capillary blood flow to the skin which should cause a rosy healthy glow.  However, the same effect may worsen existing broken veins on the face giving the patient a red face.

So, is there a place for retinoic acid in the chemical treatment of sun-damaged skin?

Absolutely! The challenge for many of us is finding a retinoid that works for our unique skin.  Our goal should be to find a product that provides results with minimal side effects like sensitivity and irritation. Research has shown that there are specific retinoid receptors in the skin, leading to the belief that some of the effects of retinoic acid are specific to that agent alone.  However now that we have access to other chemicals ( glycolic acid, mandelic acid and other superficial chemical peeling agents) retinoic acid does not have to be the mainstay of a treatment programme.

What is retinol?

Retinol is the most common form of Vitamin A and used in many popular formulas.  Retinol 1% is a high strength formula that if mixed correctly with other ingredients is very unlikely to cause irritation to the skin.

The conversion goes like this RETINOL-RETINALDEHYDE-RETINOIC ACID.

Retinol 1% should be used at night, followed by a broad spectrum sunscreen SPF 30 the following day.  We tell our patients to combine the retinol 1% with a glycolic acid cleanser (exfoliates the skin) and a glycolic/mandelic lotion for optimal results. This regime is simple, non-irritative, and non-expensive and will give guaranteed results to improve complexion.

So what should I do?

If your skin can tolerate prescription-strength retinoids go for it! You will need a prescription from your Doctor or Dermatologist. However  in patients with sensitive skin or a ruddy/red complexion or just patients who won’t accepts peeling and dry skin, I would try the above recommended skin regime for optimal results.

We are delighted to launch our new SPF50+ Antioxidant Sunscreen onto the European Market.

The benefits of Sunscreen and SPF are undisputed but the quality of all of these products differ.  This is why REFORM Skincare has developed a product that stands up to testing and delivers all the necessary qualities of and exceptional product with that little bit more.

With our background in cosmeceutical skincare, this product has been introduced into our range to provide high protection, high efficacy and most of all been tested to be good to your skin.  

SPF50+ Antioxidant Sunscreen

*          UVB+ Protection

*          UVA Protection

*          Dermatologically Tested

*          For use on fair skin 

*          Chemical and physical filters

Indications:

Very high protection sunscreen indicated for use during very intense sun or when exposed to the sun for a long period.  This product is recommended for use on fair skin, children and those sensitive to solar radiation.  It is also indicated to prevent ageing caused by the sun.  

This product has both chemical and physical filters as well as antioxidant properties to ensure high protection. The products is also Dermatologically tested.

Following a complete sell out of our Glycolic Acid Cleansers over Christmas and New Year, we are glad to report that it is now back in stock.  Order yours at www.reformskincare.ie

#reformskincare #glycolicacid

We are delighted to be attending the SELECT USA conference in Washington DC. next week for the second year running.  SELECT USA is about bringing in foreign direct investment and this year REFORM Skincare registered their US business REFORM Skincare Inc. in the US with the assistance of Conor Kenny in the SELECT USA team from the US Embassy in Ireland and our accountancy partners MAGUIRE HEGARTY LLC. Norristown PA.  

REFORM Skincare are delighted to win the “Best Everyday Use” Award from Social & Personal Magazine with their Everyday Moisturiser.

They describe our Moisturiser as “This Gel based cream is hydrating without being greasy”.  We do agree !!

Find out more about our Everyday Moisturiser by clicking here 

Can Retinols really take away the signs of aging ?

The simple answer is yes, but the more complicated answer is that it really depends on your expectations and you overall skin condition to begin with.

At REFORM Skincare, we always recommend that you seek the advice from and expert – Dermatologist, Aesthetics Doctor, Aesthetician etc. They can recommend various different types of skincare, treatments, procedures that will get your skin into shape.

REFORM Skincare are delighted to have Anita Luneznik as their new distributor in Slovenia. This is a great opportunity for us to develop our cosmeceuticals brand further throughout the EU and partner with a company that has an in-depth knowledge of the cosmeceuticals / medispa industry. We wish them well and great success in their home market with REFORM Skincare. #reformskincare #distributor #slovenia #growth #skincare

REFORM Skincare are delighted to announce their registration in the USA with their US entity, REFORM Skincare Inc.

Based in Ireland, REFORM Skincare have their all of their products manufactured in facilities in the USA and due to our continued growth, it is now time that we offer our products to the US market, where they are manufactured, packaged and distributed.

REFORM Skincare director, Ivan Lawlor commented that “our registration in the US is in the most part attributed to the continued support of SELECT USA, and their team at the American Embassy in Ireland. We have received continued support and advice over the last year and through this, we have been able to take a significant step forward in offering our products for sale across the US”.

Our aim is to offer dermatologists, aestheticians, medispas a range of very high quality products that compliment most aesthetic skin concerns including anti-aging, pigmentation, antioxidant protection and make available to the public products for home use to improve the appearance of their skin on an ongoing basis.

Find our more at our website www.reformskincare.com. Also, please get it touch with us at info@reformskincare.com