I managed to get through my first pregnancy without too many ‘war wounds’, but the second one was a totally different story. A few years older, a few more pounds, and this time I actually gave birth with some weird marks on my face – melasma!
With all the hormones and crying going on (me, not the baby), it seemed like a HUGE disaster at the time. Luckily, I was testing different formulas of (what is now our best-seller) the Fruit Acid Peel with Kojic Acid. I didn’t use it while I was pregnant, since I was just nervous for the baby. It probably would’ve been fine, but I’m a nervous nelly by nature, so I waited until after the baby was born to start using new products on my skin.
But I was comfortable using it while I was breastfeeding since I knew this was an all-natural treatment for melasma, with no colors, fragrance, endocrine disruptors, – only alpha-hydroxy-acids derived from fruits and sugar cane, and the Kojic Acid from the Sake-making process. I tried different strengths of the acid, from 5% to 50% (yikes!) and it came down to needing the Kojic acid – that is what started really fading the dark spots. I felt like the 50% was too strong, and just stung way too much. That is because we use a “pure” (or unbuffered) formula, so 15% was effective, without turning my face into a tomato.
I had melasma on the top of my forehead; I’m assuming that is because the sun hits that spot directly, and I was probably wiping off my makeup or sunscreen at that spot when I took my bike helmet on and off. I also had melasma on my nose, and cheeks. And my cheeks were already red and scarred from rosacea…*sigh*
I found that regular, twice daily use of the Pre Peel Cleanser surprisingly made a difference too. Part of me is like, oh a cleanser, big deal. But this one is non-irritating to my skin, but really gets makeup and dirt off, even summer riding bike in the city dirt – yuck.
I used the peel three times a week, and after a month the spots were significantly faded. In addition my acne rosacea cleared up, and scars from old breakouts were less noticeable. I also noticed the fine lines around my mouth and ‘eye crinkles’ were smoother and people kept asking how I looked so well-rested with an infant and pre-schooler at home! Basically, the ultimate compliment a new mom can receive.
Ultimately, I was sold on this product because it was easy to use. I could definitely do 2 minutes a day, 3 days a week, even with a mountain of diapers and laundry always threatening to crush me at any moment. It was so important for my self-confidence that I could look and feel like my pre-baby self.
Keep in mind, my experience won’t be the same as yours – if you have significant melasma all over, your doctor might suggest adding a Tretinoin cream to speed up the process. Or you can try a more natural approach and find a good Kojic Acid Serum to use in addition; But the peel is critical for keeping skin clear and speeding up skin cell turnover.
Joanna
Acne Peel Pad Kit
3 Best-Sellers together
- 20 count Bright Peel Pads
- Probiotic Face Cleanser
- Hyaluronic Cream
Bright Skin Peel Pads – 20 count
Best for Sensitive Skin
- Exfoliates with gentle combo of Salicylic Acid and Mandelic Acid
- Resurfaces with the anti-aging power of plant-based retinol alternative, Bakuchiol
- Brightens: Packed with skin-brightening botanicals Mulberry, Bearberry, and Licorice.
- Soothes red, irritated skin with Willow Bark and Green Tea extracts
- 20 pads per Jar
Fragrance-free, Alcohol-free, Gluten-Free, No Added Colors
Bright Skin Peel Pads – 50 count
Best for Sensitive Skin
- Exfoliates with gentle combo of Salicylic Acid and Mandelic Acid
- Resurfaces with the anti-aging power of plant-based retinol alternative, Bakuchiol
- Brightens: Packed with skin-brightening botanicals Mulberry, Bearberry, and Licorice.
- Soothes red, irritated skin with Willow Bark and Green Tea extracts
Fragrance-free, Alcohol-free, Gluten-Free, No Added Colors
Clear Skin Kit
Includes:
- Vitamin C Serum 30ml
- Fruit Acid Gel Facial Peel 30ml
- Probiotic Face Cleanser 120ml
Restart your skincare regimen for a flawless complexion with our 3-piece set for even the most sensitive skin types. Cleanses, exfoliates, and protects skin from the signs of aging.
Day and Night Serum Duo
24-hour care for sensitive skin showing signs of aging
- Fights signs of aging and dryness. Promotes a brighter more even-toned complexion.
- Vitamin C Day Serum protects skin from free radical damage caused by exposure to the sun, environmental pollution, and HEV blue light emitted by computer and phone screens.
- Retinol Night Serum is a waterless concentrate packed with antioxidants and botanicals that gently reveal gorgeous smooth skin while you dream.
- Contains (1) Vitamin C Day Serum, 1 fl oz, and (1) Retinol 1% Night Serum, 1 fl oz
Love Your Skincare Gift Set
Love Your Skincare package includes:
- Probiotic Face Cleanser 4oz enriched with 2 types of probiotics to restore skin’s balance
- Triple Brightening Active Serum 1oz to brighten and exfoliate all skin types, revealing a more-even-toned complexion
- Hyaluronic Moisturizing Cream that will gently moisturize any skin type
Hyaluronic Acid Hydration Serum
Crack open the bubbly, we’re celebrating soft skin hydration without greasiness. This light, water-based serum improves skin’s elasticity and hydration so skin is moisturized and dewy soft.
Vegan hyaluronic acid binds up to 1,000x its weight in water to keep skin from getting thirsty. Oat Extract, Goji Berry, and Peptides, also work to help skin retain its natural moisture barrier.
- Oil-free moisture for all skin types
- Provides smooth base for makeup
- Fights signs of aging and dryness
- Healthy skin primer: Provides a smooth base for makeup, and won’t clog pores
Retinol 1% Night Serum
Our waterless concentrate gently resurfaces gorgeous smooth skin while you dream. Granactive Retinol firms skin, reduces age spots and pore size, but with little irritation.
Tomato fruit extract and Astaxanthin are powerful anti-oxidants to repair skin from the damaging effects of UV exposure and pollution and repair the signs of aging.
- Works overnight to resurface skin
- Skin is firmer and more supple
- Fights signs of aging, repairs sun damage
Vitamin C Day Serum
Ultra-light serum for combination to oily skin types
- Next-generation form of Vitamin C for better penetration and stability, protects skin from UV damage.
- Evens out skin tone and reduces the appearance of dark spots
- A powerful antioxidant cocktail for a brighter complexion
Fruit Acid Gel Facial Peel
- Incredible Anti-Aging: This organic peel will dramatically improve the appearance of fine lines, shrink pores, and increase skin’s elasticity for a youthful and flawless glow.
- Erases fine lines, dark spots and improves skin’s texture and tone while revealing noticeably smoother, healthier skin
- Skin is noticeable brighter and complexion is more even-toned after first application
⇒ AS SEEN IN VOGUE
Triple Brightening Active Serum
• A multi-tasking daily active serum with four key active botanicals to brighten all complexions and reduce the appearance of marks and blotches.
• Glycolic acid gently encourages new skin cell turnover to smooth and soften. Licorice, Bearberry, and Kojic Acid leave skin brighter and more even-toned.
⇒ AS SEEN IN VOGUE
Vitamin C Serum + Vitamins E, B, Ferulic
- Clinical Strength 20% Vitamin C
- Our Powerful Blend of Ferulic Acid, and Vitamins C, B3, B5, and E Combine for a Unique Antioxidant Delivery System to Protect Skin from Premature Aging, Free Radical Damage to Cells, Oxidative Stress, UV Damage, and Environmental Pollution.
- Rich in Hyaluronic Acid: Our facial serum delivers intense hydration for even the driest skin, and penetrates skin deeper than a regular moisturizer.
- Lightens and Smooths Skin for a Flawless Complexion
⇒ AS SEEN IN Allure
Peptide+ Intense Eye Recovery Serum
• Clinically proven to work. Studies show after 8 weeks a 42% improvement in skin texture, 35% reduction in dark circles, and a 31% reduction in puffiness around the eyes.
• Reduces inflammation and UV damage
• Safe for all skin types Non-irritating, fragrance-free gentle cooling eye treatment contains no artificial colors, parabens, sulfates, or alcohol.
Bright Skin Kit
Gift the Best of Refresh!
BRIGHT BOX Contains:
- Fruit Triple Brightening Serum
- Peptide+ Firming Eye Serum
- Fruit Acid Gel Peel
Price: $127
Essentials Kit
Gift the Best of Refresh!
ESSENTIALS BOX Contains:
- Rose Cleanser
- Vitamin C Serum
- Fruit Triple Brightening Serum
Price: $96
The Ultimate Fruit Acid Peel Kit
A complete system for clearer, ageless skin
• Skin appears brighter after first use, continued use reduces fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging
• Lessens the appearance of dark spots, acne scars, and melasma
Restore Hyaluronic Moisturizing Cream
A lightweight but rich post-treatment moisturizer to hydrate and protect newly-revealed skin.
Hyaluronic Acid holds up to 1,000 times its’ weight in water, binding moisture to even the driest skin without greasy residue.
Squalane is produced naturally by skin, but levels decrease as skin ages. Derived from olives, Squalane is ultra-hydrating and over time fades pigmentation, scars, and reverses UV damage while fighting free radicals.
Lactic Acid 10% Gel Peel
Our gentlest exfoliator removes dead and damaged skin cells without irritation. Lactic acid speeds skin cell renewal and improves skin’s ability to retain moisture.
• Reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging
• Brightens skin tone after first application
• Smoothes and softens skin
Probiotic Face Cleanser
Non-stripping cleanser gently removes dirt and makeup, while fortifying skin against UV free radical damage. Enhanced with potent anti-oxidants derived from Rose Hip Seed Oil and Astaxanthin. Two kinds of skin-friendly probiotic bacteria, Lactobacillus and Fermented Radish Root, maintain skin’s natural protective barrier and promote balance.
Dry Skin Peel Kit
Recommended for dry skin and skin showing signs of aging. This 3-step kit contains: 1. Pre Peel Probiotic Face Cleanser (4 oz) 2. Lactic Acid 10% Gel Peel (1 oz) 3. Post Peel Hyaluronic Pure Moisturizing Cream (1oz) Our gentlest … Read More
