I Tried It: Body Acids For Silky Smooth Skin

When I wrote my first post for xoNecole on AHAs and how they can improve hyperpigmentation, I received a comment from a reader asking if AHAs can be used all over your body. Ding, ding! A light bulb went off in my head. If AHAs can help with hyperpigmentation, even out skin tone, and make your face feel silky soft, then why not your whole body?

I have insect bite scars all over my legs, as well as discoloration from “strawberry legs", aka the visibly dark pores on my legs that are common in African-American women. I currently live in Phuket, Thailand, so I'm trying to get my summer glow up on so I can be beach-ready. I'd always been self-conscious about my legs, but if body AHAs could do for me what they'd done for my face, then I was ready and willing to try them.

I set out that day to find my weapons of choice. After a quick Google search, I was led to the Makeup Artist's Choice 5 Acid Body Peel.

According to their site, the 5 Acid Body Peel aims to exfoliate the skin, deep clean pores of oils and dirt, fade acne scars, and marks from ingrown hair, brighten skin, and stimulate collagen production for a more youthful glow to the skin. Jackpot! It is formulated with 20% lactic acid, 5% glycolic acid, 5% mandelic acid, 2% citric acid, and 1% salicylic acid. It also has my favorite brightening ingredient, licorice root extract, which is used to help even out skin tones. It should be noted if you are allergic to aspirin, you won't be able to use this peel due to the salicylic acid.

The peel is a bit inconvenient to use, as you have to shower first, apply the acid, wait about 10 minutes, and then rinse it off in the shower. But girl, when you rinse it off…whew. It's like you have a whole new body. I don't think I've ever in my life felt my skin feel so soft and smooth. And since I'm extra, I also bought the glycolic acid body lotion, which I use to make sure my skin is next-level smooth. A word of advice though: don't use the lotion after you shave your legs, or you might experience some uncomfortable burning and irritation. Overall, the peel and lotion have helped a ton with my strawberry legs and overall skin tone. And my skin really does feel like a newborn. I can't stop rubbing my legs and arms!

You can achieve similar effects using a body wash formulated with glycolic acid, like Glytone Exfoliating Body Wash, or the Exfoliating Body Wash with Glycolic and Lactic Acid from Makeup Artists Choice.

How do you get silky smooth summer skin? Let me know in the comments!

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