Yep, you heard us right. Launching soon is a product that can solve almost any skincare problem you throw at it. Spots? Not any more. Dry patches? Gone. Fine lines? Watch them miraculously disappear.  So what is this magical ingredient? A remarkable substance called glycolic acid that science has proven is the most useful and gold standard of acids.

What makes it so good?

A derivative of sugarcane, glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), a group of naturally occurring “fruit acids” that can be found in foods. AHAs work by loosening the glue-like substance that holds dull and dead skin cells on the topmost layer of your skin, revealing newer, healthier skin. It also stimulates new cell generation, resulting in improved skin texture, tone and a brighter complexion. And because glycolic acid has the smallest molecular size of all the AHAs, it’s the most bioavailable and active, allowing it to penetrate the skin the most easily.

But that’s not all. Aside from providing instant rejuvenation, the “holy grail” glycolic acid has also been shown to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, which means that with continuous use, glycolic acid can actually accelerate skin healing and reduce signs of environmental damage. The powerhouse ingredient helps remove the “glue” that holds older skin cells on the surface that can cause dull looking skin, and yes, clogged pores. Glycolic acid allows a way for the new cells to show without making our skin red or peel off. The plant-derived active ingredient, glycolic acid can address a tide of skin issues from acne to pigmentation and aging. 

Some of the skin issues that Glycolic Acid can be used to help you treat are:

• Scarring
• Balancing the PH in your skin
• Dark spots
• Acne
• Signs of aging
• Wrinkles and fine lines
• Large pores
• Loss of collagen
• Psoriasis
• Keratosis Pilaris
• Hyperkeratosis and more!

So now get ready for the good part... Our new product combines 10% Glycolic acid (Alpha-Hydroxy-Acid, AHA) 1.5% with Salicylic Acid (Beta-hydroxy acid, BHA)! Yes it’s true. In the past your AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids) had to stay far away from your BHAs (beta-hydroxy acids) for fear of irritation, but not anymore! Skincare has come a long way since then. In fact, those chemical exfoliators that once upon a time did not play nice together actually work better together and are safe for sensitive skin. Salicylic acid (BHA), while an acne-treating all-star, is not simply for the breakout-prone, and glycolic acid (AHA), an ingredient traditionally praised for working anti-aging wonders, offers benefits for all skin types and concerns. Whether avoiding dullness, fine lines, and wrinkles or keeping skin clear is your top priority, with our latest multi-acid treatment, you don’t have to choose—you can get all the many benefits of chemical exfoliation in one product, but without side effects.

Another reason to love it!

Our new Glycolic + Salicylic Acid product is made with ceramides to make the delivery to the skin easier and deeper! Ceramides make up 50% of the skin barrier, but you may be wondering what are ceramides and what is the purpose of ceramides in skincare? Let’s start by talking about what they are...

What are Ceramides?

In short, ceramides are a family of lipids that play a vital role in the barrier function of the skin. Ceramides are, therefore, found naturally in the skin, and skin benefits greatly from ceramides in skin care products.

Ceramides, along with fatty acids and cholesterol, make up the lipid bilayer that holds up skin cells. This creates a skin barrier known as the Stratum Corneum to protect against the elements. Ceramides account for at least 50% of the lipids in the Stratum Corneum and act as part of the glue that holds skin cells together to create a semi-permeable barrier.

Like collagen and hyaluronic acid—substances found naturally within the skin that are popular in cosmetics—ceramides make for excellent skincare ingredients. In skin disorders that compromise the skin barrier, ceramides in the skin are typically decreased and ceramide patterns are disrupted. Fortunately, ceramides in skincare products have been proven to improve these skin conditions and restore a healthy skin barrier.

In addition to boosting the structure and integrity of the skin barrier, ceramides are known for their anti-aging and hydrating properties. The best part is that because ceramides are considered a skin-identical ingredient (because they’re naturally occurring), ceramides are suitable for all skin types and work well with other skincare ingredients.

Ceramides are mainly used to restore proper skin barrier function with the added benefit of improving skin hydration. But there’s more to ceramides benefits than just protection and moisture balance.

Ceramide Benefits:

1. Improve dehydrated skin

There’s a huge difference between delivering moisture to the skin and reversing dehydration. Dehydrated skin is a skin condition characterized by the skin barrier’s inability to retain enough water. This can wreak havoc on the moisture balance (oil vs. water) in skin and can cause premature aging. When skin is dehydrated, it’s likely lacking ceramides, which have the ability to hold onto water.

2. Treat acne

Acne isn’t fun for anyone, and adult acne  can be especially troublesome. Ceramides aren’t common ingredients in facial cleansers and acne treatment products, but the ceramides in skincare products may help alleviate acne. This is because ceramides reduce irritation and inflammation and improve skin condition. The moisture-balancing properties of ceramides may also help to reduce acne by regulating oil and sebum.

3. Anti-inflammatory properties

In addition to alleviating acne-related inflammation, ceramides have anti-inflammatory properties that can improve skin barrier abnormalities, atopic dermatitis, and other dermatoses. The anti-inflammatory benefits of ceramides also include the relief of burning, itching, and radiation sensitivity.

4. Protect against intrinsic aging

Ceramide levels in skin decline as we age, which means the uppermost layer of the skin becomes more thin and fine lines become deeper and more noticeable. Replenishing ceramides with skin care promotes moisturized skin that appears firmer and plumper, so fine lines and wrinkles are filled in.

5. Protect against extrinsic aging

Part of the skin barrier function is to protect against the elements, including pollutants, radiation, extreme climate conditions, and other environmental stressors. These aggressors may cause oxidative stress and free radical damage, which can cause premature aging. Photoaging from sun damage has been a long-time culprit of fine lines and wrinkles, but airborne toxins (a.k.a. air pollution) are moving up the ladder of the main causes of free radical damage. As you now know, ceramides play a massive role in skin barrier function. With at least half the skin barrier comprised of ceramides, they protect against premature aging by protecting against harsh elements every day. To sum up ceramides in two words: protection and hydration!

As you can see our new skincare product boasts a whole host of proven, effective ingredients including ceramides, glycolic acid and salicylic acid. While the glycolic acid stimulates new cell generation, the salicylic acid brightens uneven skin tone while the ceramides replenish the skin’s barrier. The result is firmer, smoother, more luminous skin that’s not left feeling compromised or irritated. Consider it an easy, effective way to introduce some hard-working active ingredients into your routine.

Our products at Arboretum Skincare are natural or naturally derived, vegan, 100% cruelty-free, not tested on animals, gluten-free, sulfate-free, and even paraben-free. We are incredibly excited to provide our customers with the best Glycolic + Salicylic Acid product in order to help you with some of the issues you might be facing with your skin. Contact us to request samples (shipping is free!), or to be notified when it’s available for purchase!