'This TikTok-Famous Facial Peel Lightened My Acne Scars In 2 Weeks’
After over a decade of deep, cystic acne starting in my teen years, the past several years of my skincare life have been dedicated to ridding my face of the ghosts of acne past. Some products have helped to lighten the dark scarring on my jawline and the genetic hyperpigmentation around my nose and cheeks, but nothing quite matches the instant gratification of a (unfortunately, expensive) facial.
On the hunt for a cost-effective solution to my skincare woes, I was thrilled when I heard TikTok was obsessively raving about the about the Ordinary Peeling Solution ($13, Amazon) being a miracle product for dark spots. I'm weary of anything that promises miracles—especially when it comes to skincare. But, I was happy to be proven wrong by the positive effects this had on my dry, acne-prone skin. With regular use, I really came to see a difference in my skin over a couple of weeks.
Here's how it's replaced expensive facials for me for good:
It doesn't irritate my dry skin.
One of the reasons TikTokers rave about this product is its high potency mixture of chemical exfoliants alpha hydroxy, beta hydroxy, glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acid. Typically, my dry skin would get flaky and red after using a product with so many potent acids. With this, I was pleasantly surprised to be left with baby soft, smooth skin, which is likely due to the fact that soothing, antibacterial aloe leaf water (a great, natural acne treatment!) is high up on the ingredients list, too.
My skin almost always feels super dry after exfoliating peels—whether I'm doing them at home or in a spa. I literally itch to put a thick layer of a hydrating moisturizer and oil on my face right after one. I didn't have that feeling at all after using this, so I really appreciate that while it can slough off the surface layers of bacteria from my skin, it doesn't remove the good, hydrating oils from it.
It's easy to use.
I was a bit nervous about using this, because videos online made the bright purple hue and watery texture seem too messy for my clumsy self. While I still wouldn't recommend wearing white or your favorite outfit while using this, I actually had no problems with mess at all. The texture looks watery, but really has more of a thin jelly consistency that doesn't spread too easily.
I simply use one dropper and apply it directly to my cheeks and forehead, then spread it out with a mini brush or simply my fingers. It's super comfortable, so I have no trouble leaving it on for the full ten minutes (though I sometimes forget it's there and leave it on longer).
It takes just a couple of weeks to see results.
Admittedly, I wouldn't call this the miracle product that TikTok claims it is. I do largely attribute that to my being genetically predisposed to hyperpigmentation as an Indian woman, so I almost never see immediate results after using any product.
That said, I did see an immediate glow-up in the skin on my cheeks where I don't really have much pigmentation. It almost looked like a quick face lift. I was at first disappointed not to see much of a difference in the stubborn scars along my jawline, but when I started using this twice a week, I saw results after just two weeks in my scars lightening—some of which have been there for years.
You Might Also Like
