Case in point: Radical Skincare Age-Defying Exfoliating Pads, reviewed here. (If you're new to these parts or don't understand why I'm obsessed with exfoliating my skin, you can read this post from 2013. Nothing has changed; I'm still engaged in an ongoing battle with my skin's unfortunate tendency to pile up in various crusty and unappealing ways.) I tried the sample, liked it, and popped for the full-sized jar of 60 pads, which I'm still using.
But here's my latest, greatest (spoiler!) find!
While we were traveling around Lake Michigan, I knew I was going to be spending the bare minimum of time primping. Not only because the dress code was Early Summer Lumberjack.
But because when you're sharing a bathroom with three other people, it behooves you to get in and out quickly.
Also I was packing light. So I brought a three-packet sample of Cane&Austin Miracle Pad+ 30% pads. Which I used up in a week, using them on alternate nights.
The Claims
The package say this product
delivers the results of a 30% Glycolic clinical treatment to restore luminosity and vitality to skin
and will
even skin tone, reduce fine lines, wrinkles, enlarged pores & the appearance of age spots
This is the most potent exfoliating pad Cane&Austin sells. On their site, they show you the following:
The Dermstore site says that the Cane&Austin 20% pads are
Since I pretty much have all of the above except for oily skin and acne, the stronger product seemed ideally suited for me.
The directions said to swipe the pad over a clean face morning and night, avoiding the eye area. I only used the product at night, because I only had three pads, and anyway, overkill.
The Ingredients
Here's a screenshot of the ingredients from the website:
I think it's important to point out that these pads promise the equivalent of a 30 percent glycolic peel; they don't actually claim to contain a 30 percent glycolic acid solution. As you can see from the above, there are other acids in this product: lactic, phytic, and tartaric acid, as well as willow bark extract and salicylic acid phospholipids. In this respect, this product resembles Radical Skincare in being a virtual cornucopia of active ingredients.
The Results
I've mentioned that I'd been bothered by milia, and although I'd gotten rid of most of them, a couple of outliers still remained, including a closed comedone (GROSS) on the side of my nose.
A couple of days I brushed my finger over the area of my nose where this tiny, stubborn bump had been located, and it was gone. Just ... vanished. There was no sign left of it, but no signs of any trauma, either. No red mark, no hole, nothing. I was delighted, yet somehow disappointed that I hadn't noticed the moment when it fell off.
That's gross, right? Still, it would have been kind of gratifying.
The Verdict
Naturally, I'm thrilled, and I want more.
Where can I get this stuff?
Cane&Austin Miracle Pad+ can be found at the Cane&Austin website and Sephora. Unfortunately, the product is not stocked in every store that sells Cane&Austin products. A lot of stores only carry the lower percentage glycolic products, so be sure to check the numbers.
How much does it cost?
It's expensive. You get 60 pads for $88. There are many, many options for glycolic acid pads, though. Click here for the result of an Amazon search.
One word, though. If you have Roseacea or simply know that you have sensitive skin, proceed with caution. That holds if you simply haven't been beating up your face on a regular basis, as I have. For some reason, getting my brows waxed or my hair blown out reddens my skin like crazy, whereas I pile all kinds of products onto my face with no ill effects whatsoever.
Oh, and one more thing (she said, challenging Columbo.) When you are using products like this, which are pH sensitive, be sure to use them on a clean DRY face. Water will buffer the acid and the pads won't be as effective.
Thank you! I love this blog and your clear, unbiased recommendations. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm glad you enjoy me. :D
ReplyDeleteActually, I have had these on my list, too! I tried a sample from Sephora and thought they were great, which is hilarious, since a lot of other pads that are touted as "gentle" (e.g., First Aid Beauty's Radiance Pads) made me feel like my face was on fire, LOL. But these are like "FULL BLAST ALL THE THINGS" and I think they're lovely. Hysterical.
ReplyDeleteThat's the thing about skincare: in a world of YMMV, I'd say skincare tops the list. I take recommendations with mountains of salt, because you just never know.
DeleteSadly our Sephora does not sell this line ...... sounds great!
ReplyDelete