Skincare | Bravura London Chemical Peels
I rarely make any dramatic changes in my skincare routine but something I've introduced in the last couple of months is consistently using chemical peels from Bravura London. I've refrained from blogging about these peels for a long time as I wasn't really sure how well they were working until now.
Chemical solutions (like Glycolic and Salicylic) can be used to help lift dead skin and unclog pores. They can be particularly beneficial to acne-prone or oily skin and can help if you suffer from milia (trapped oil under the skin which create little bumps with no head) which is the main reason I started buying peels from Bravura London way back in 2013.
I like to keep things simple with my skin so for a long time I found it really hard to get into a set routine of using these. My use of chemical peels was really inconsistent but recently I've committed to using both Glycolic and Salicylic acid on alternate days as they both have different benefits. Glycolic acid is great for reducing hyperpigmentation, whereas Salicylic is better for acne-prone skin.
All of the products come with full instructions so you know exactly what to do. You have to start with thoroughly cleansed skin that has had time to return to it's usual ph (which is roughly after 30 minutes). If you're strapped for time (or impatient like me) you can apply Bravura's Ginseng toner (pictured above) before your peel which only needs 5 minutes to sit.
The peels come in glass bottles with pipettes and it's best to dispense a few drops separately into a glass dish and then apply this to your face with a synthetic brush (like these) or use your fingers. Depending on the peel you use, with the first applications you start off quite small, only leaving them on for a few minutes at a time and gradually with each use you can add a minute to your application time. When you've finished you just rinse your face with cold or tepid water. As I do these at night I usually just apply a little natural oil or The Body Shop's Vitamin E Serum-In-Oil after my peel is rinsed to keep it moisturised.
When I first used these I worried that my skin might be red raw after use or would get worse but I've never experienced any redness or irritation. The peels are actually quite mild and the main benefit has been smoother skin. Specifically the Glycolic acid has helped get rid of some stubborn dark marks and the Salicylic acid has really shifted some blackheads on my nose. My monthly breakouts have persisted and I still have annoying bumps under the skin (milia) but as it's only been a couple of months I'm hoping I might see more benefits in time to come.
Have you ever tried chemical peels?
I've never considered an at-home chemical peel option but the couple I had way back when at my dermatologist's office was both awesome and not-so-awesome. The peeling part feels reptilian but afterwards, you feel like a butterfly lol. Hearing that they're mild is a relief because you might not be experiencing the same effects at home as I was from the doctor. I might want to add something like this to my beauty arsenal :)
ReplyDeleteThey're really mild so shouldn't cause any problems but you have to do a test patch first on your arm just in case x
DeleteYes, I have used chemical peels. I have used glycol acid, 30%. I ve been told that anything less than that have minimal effect. Its given fantastic results. I didn't do the whole face, just certain areas. And i did it in the winter when my skin was at its palest. You cannot go out in the sunshine until 6 weeks after. But i live in Sweden so wintertime is a very safe time :-)
ReplyDeleteI ve also done ACV peeling but that was more directed specifically at moles or brown dots. Takes them away in 3 days and no scars or harm to the skin. The ACV is strong enough to take away what ever moles are made of but too weak to do anything to the real skin.
Do you use the salicylacid before or after the glycol acid?
It's good to hear the peels worked for you. The first peel I bought was Glycolic Acid 30% from Bravura London but I could never get into the swing of applying them regularly. The law changed in UK a little while ago too so now companies can only sell mild chemical peels to consumers. Stronger peels can only be bought and performed on patients by professionals.
DeleteThe lower percentage means the effects aren't as strong, but I can use them several times a week to see improvements. I use them on alternate days, so one day I'll use Glycolic and the next I'll use Salicylic.
I remember you mentioning ACV before. I still need to try this! Did you notice reddening of your skin at all? I watched a couple of videos on YouTube and some of the results put me off as I would still want to be able to wear makeup x
I am really scared to try out peels even though I know it will help with my acne prone skin as well, since this is mild and doesn't cause redness it might be worth the try,and if you didn't say I would have sworn you never have breakouts because your skin is always flawless. Thanks for the review.
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Thank you Uzo! I've been fine with it and I was really worried it might aggravate my skin before I used it. A lot of my spots sit under the skin (with no head) so with makeup on they're not that noticeable but when I get a full on break out it's usually hideous! x
DeleteI didn't notice much redness on the skin from acv. The mole turn into scab so the scab will be visable but that is only for a few days. and the scab is the same size as the mole so I doubt anybody would notice. Mine were small as a needle head but they are all gone from my face now. It only really works on those that stand out above the skin surface. The flat ones are much more stubborn.
ReplyDeleteI bought 30 % glycolic acid online. But I have only used it twice, in April. Worked directly so there was no need to do it again. Maybe I will do it again in the fall when sun is gone.
It's good to hear you experience. I might try it when I know I'm not going anywhere for a couple of days and see how well it works for me on my raised moles
DeleteThat's great you had such good results with 30% glycolic acid after only using it twice x
Try it on a mole somewhere else on your body first. Then you can learn how to do it properly and how long time it might take. My skin reacted first on the Surgical tape so I had to change brands.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget to scratch the mole a bit first so the ACV can penetrate to the mole. Good luck!
I used to use the Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Peel, which I loved because it worked and was gentle. But as of late, I've been using their Retinol PM serum.
ReplyDeleteI 've never used peels before because they I feel it will be painful and strip my skin but i may need to re-think that now. I have been applying Olive oil on my skin before going to bed and i find my dark marks are fading away.
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