Stingy AHA?

[Rhys]

Reposted from another thread, cos it was down at the bottom and I didn't get an answer:

I'm not sure if it's me or the AHA - when I first used it (a couple of times a week) it was fine. The past three months or so, it's been so stingy I can't bear it on my face - I've tried it maybe once a month.

I think I bought it around August or so - would it have gone off since then? I know some things have a pretty limited shelf-life so maybe after it got to the three-month mark I should've pitched it?

Thanks.

[JenW]

I was hoping Karen saw this. I would send her an email to get a quicker answer. I don't know enough about the ingredients to give a definitive answer.

I have had mine since it came out in the Spring (am just finishing up the first bottle I got in about May or June), and have not had issues other than the normal dry skin that comes with changing weather. My skin is just more reactive in the Winter, so I just use it less. I also noticed that I needed it less after the first month or so of use..I went a few weeks where I used it every day early on. I am to the point where I typically use the products as needed depending on how my skin feels for the day. If I see a bit of a breakout starting, I use BHA (right now..every other, but normally every night) until things clear up. For AHA, in the last few months I was usually about an every other night..now it is about once a week. I know that your experience could be diffrerent than mine, though.

[chaye]

Reposted from another thread, cos it was down at the bottom and I didn't get an answer:

I'm not sure if it's me or the AHA - when I first used it (a couple of times a week) it was fine. The past three months or so, it's been so stingy I can't bear it on my face - I've tried it maybe once a month.

I think I bought it around August or so - would it have gone off since then? I know some things have a pretty limited shelf-life so maybe after it got to the three-month mark I should've pitched it?

Thanks.

Same here. When I tried the sample AHA, it was fine. I only experienced the stinging sensation when I switch to the full size. Now I use AHA diluted with pore refining toner.

[karen]

I check the pH and buffer it, and apply each batch to my own skin just to double check it. I'm a lot drier/more sensitive in the winter. Could it possibly be the weather? The other thing it might be is that your skin isn't healing as fast between uses, so it's thinner and more likely to sting??? If you want to send the rest to me I'm happy to double check the pH for you.

[Rhys]

If I was using it at all often, I'd go with the skin not healing - but I'm not. I'm fairly certain that 2 - 5 weeks - not days - would be adequate time for skin to heal from one AHA spray to the next.

I will send it when I can but regrettably it costs about $18 to send a package that size and weight to the US (yes, I know!). But I will put it aside and do that as soon as I'm able.

Were it just me, that'd be one thing, but if Chaye is having the same problem, too....I really amn't sure what's up here.

[chaye]

I'm using my facial scrubs (really loving the microdermabrasion gel) more frequently...let me lay off the exfoliation and see if it still stings. No worries about cold/dry air where I live. But for now, I'm happy with using it diluted with PRT.

[sewwies]

i've only been using the AHA a week or two and found that the first time I put it on my face, after washing it stung a bit and was almost unbearable on my neck (which I hadn't washed) but since has been fine. I don't use it on my neck now but maybe try it elsewhere maybe you've just developed a sensitivity to it, or because you're not using it so often it might be a shock to your skin?

Loving the AHA so far btw, my skin has never been so soft! Or hydrated. I usually have quite oily skin but now it's still oily but in a glowy way, all plumped up! Had the initial break out, but now it seems to calm down my pimples so when they do come up the AHA seems to leave them flatter and less angry looking. Fingers crossed this carries on!

[Rhys]

It may be a sensitivity. It also occurs to me that picking up some pH strips here will be a whole lot cheaper than shipping it back to Karen. Must make a note to myself.

[JenW]

I'm using my facial scrubs (really loving the microdermabrasion gel) more frequently...let me lay off the exfoliation and see if it still stings. No worries about cold/dry air where I live. But for now, I'm happy with using it diluted with PRT.

Chaye,
Have you ever used the AHA and a scrub on the same day? That might be a problem if you have. They are both forms of exfoliation and it is possible to overdo it. It is also possible that your skin responds better with manual exfoliation. Mine did very well with manual exfoliation only in my early 30s. Then once I hit 38 things started showing up that needed something a little stronger.