Can i use together?

[tashsoul]

Can I use Paula's choice SKIN PERFECTING

6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant And dermalogica daily glycolic cleanser together? I don't want to over exfoliate and want to try them both to help with dark spots. 

[WinglessOne]

@tashsoul  Since Dermalogica doesn’t state how much glycolic acid’s in their cleanser, I wanna assume it’s a very small %, even though it’s the 3rd item on the INCI list. But that cleanser also contains a couple of citrus essential oils which can irritate some people’s skin. With that in mind, and assuming both this cleanser and the Paula’s Choice exfoliant are new to you: 

I recommend picking one of those two products and using it 1-3 times a week (without using the other product at all), to see how your skin tolerates it. Do that for 2-3 weeks, then add the other product to your routine. I can’t use that cleanser because of the essential oils—but if I could, I’d start this 2-product introduction with the cleanser. I know Dermalogica says the cleanser can be used twice daily, but I don’t recommend doing that unless a dermatologist instructs you to. Without knowing the glycolic acid %, I wouldn’t use that cleanser more than 3 times a week, and never twice on the same day. 

The Paula’s Choice mandelic + lactic acid exfoliant should be gentle, but you still shouldn’t use it daily either. Just 1-3 times a week is plenty, unless a derm instructs you otherwise. There are a few different ways to incorporate it into your skincare routine once your skin’s used to the Dermalogica cleanser: 

• Alternate days with cleanser - just use the exfoliant and cleanser on different days. 
• Alternate time of day with cleanser - if you wanna use both products on the same day, use one in the morning and the other at night. 
• Layer both products, but patch test first - wash with the cleanser, then use the exfoliant on just one small area of your face. (I usually patch test on one side of my jawbone.) Then continue with the rest of your usual skincare routine. If that little patch of skin doesn’t throw a tantrum throughout the day or night, then you can try using the exfoliant on the rest of your face the next time you use the cleanser. 

Do you already use a broad spectrum sunscreen? You’ll absolutely need one since both these products contain AHA. (We should all use sunscreen regardless of what else we use on our face, but especially when using alpha hydroxy acids which will increase your skin’s sun sensitivity.) 

I hope one or both products work well for you! 

[tashsoul]

Thank you so much! 💓