What's In It

Step-by-Step Usage

Before You Start

• Patch test first - apply a small amount to your upper forearm, leave 10 minutes, rinse. Wait 24 hours. If no redness, burning, itching, or blistering, proceed.
• Avoid using other exfoliants, retinoids, or vitamin C for at least 24 hours before.
• This product is best for experienced acid users - if you're new to acids, start with a lower-strength formula first.

How to Apply

1. Cleanse your face and neck with a gentle, non-exfoliating cleanser.
2. Dry your skin completely - applying to wet or damp skin dilutes the acid and can cause uneven absorption.
3. Apply a thin, even layer across face and neck using your fingertips. One dropper-full is usually enough.
4. Avoid the eye contour, lips, and any broken or inflamed skin.
5. Leave on for a maximum of 10 minutes. First-timers: start with 3-5 minutes and work up gradually.
6. A mild tingling sensation is normal. Burning = rinse immediately.
7. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. The red colour helps you confirm it's fully removed.

Frequency

Important Rules

• Use at night only - AHAs significantly increase photosensitivity.
• Wear SPF daily during use and for at least a week after each application.
• Do NOT combine in the same session with: retinoids, vitamin C, other direct acids, or peptides.
• Do NOT use on sensitive skin, broken skin, sunburned skin, eczema, or rosacea.
• Do NOT use if pregnant or breastfeeding without consulting a doctor first.

What to Expect

• After first use: mild redness or tingling that settles within an hour.
• After 2-4 weeks: smoother texture, reduced appearance of pores, more even tone.
• Ongoing: improved brightness and reduced hyperpigmentation with consistent use.

The Neck Note

• Use even less product.
• Start with just 3-5 minutes until your skin adjusts.
• Watch for irritation - the neck is more prone to over-exfoliation.

Quick Don'ts Checklist

• Don't use on wet skin
• Don't leave on longer than 10 minutes
• Don't use more than twice a week
• Don't mix with retinol on the same night
• Don't skip SPF the morning after
• Don't use if your skin is already irritated or compromised

Immediately After Rinsing (Same Night)

Step 1 - Gentle Cleanse (optional)

Step 2 - Hydrating Toner (optional)

Step 3 - Soothing / Hydrating Serum

• Hyaluronic acid - draws moisture into the skin
• Centella Asiatica (Cica) - calms redness and irritation
• Niacinamide - supports barrier repair (low concentration, 5% or under)
• Panthenol (B5) - soothes and retains moisture
• Glycerin - a simple, effective humectant

Step 4 - Rich Moisturizer

• CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
• La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5
• First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream

Next Morning Routine

Days 1-3 Post-Peel: Full Routine

• Mild redness or tightness on Day 1 - normal
• Possible light flaking on Day 2-3 - normal, do NOT pick or peel manually
• Brighter, smoother texture starting around Day 3-4

Days 3-5: Reintroduce Carefully

Ingredients to Avoid for the Full Week After

• Any AHA or BHA products
• Retinoids / retinol
• Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid)
• Alcohol-based toners or astringents
• Physical scrubs or exfoliating cloths
• Fragranced products (higher irritation risk on sensitized skin)
• Chemical sunscreens right after (they may sting - switch to mineral)

Quick Summary Card

SAME NIGHT (after peel):
  Rinse → Gentle cleanser → Hydrating serum → Rich moisturizer

NEXT MORNING:
  Gentle cleanser → Hydrating serum → Moisturizer → Mineral SPF 30+

DAYS 1-3:
  Same as above, zero actives

DAYS 3-5:
  Slowly reintroduce retinol or vitamin C on alternate nights

DAY 7+:
  Can do next peel session if needed

How It Targets Hyperpigmentation

AHAs (Glycolic, Lactic, Tartaric, Citric - 15% total)

• Glycolic acid (the primary AHA) has the smallest molecular size of all AHAs, allowing it to penetrate deepest into the epidermis
• It breaks the bonds holding pigment-loaded dead cells to the skin surface, physically shedding them
• It also inhibits tyrosinase - the enzyme responsible for melanin production - reducing new pigment formation
• Lactic acid adds additional brightening and is gentler, making it well-suited to the neck's thinner skin

BHA (Salicylic Acid - 1%)

• Works deeper in the pores, reducing post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) triggered by breakouts
• Reduces the inflammation cycle that activates melanin production in the first place
• Particularly effective for acne-related dark spots and congestion-driven pigmentation

Types of Hyperpigmentation It Can Help With

Clinical evidence: A 2024 systematic review in Dermatology Surgery (PMID: 38530985) confirmed chemical peels - including glycolic acid peels - are effective for melasma, particularly when combined with topical depigmenting agents. A 2026 RCT (PMID: 40970768) found 35% glycolic acid peel comparable to retinol peels for melasma improvement, supporting the mechanism at lower concentrations over time.

How to Use It Specifically for Hyperpigmentation

Protocol

1. Use at night only (AHAs increase UV sensitivity - sun exposure will worsen pigmentation)
2. Frequency: Start once per week. After 4 weeks with no irritation, increase to twice per week
3. Application: Apply a thin, even layer to face and neck on completely dry skin
4. Time: 10 minutes maximum. For the neck, start at 5 minutes
5. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water

The Neck - Special Consideration

• Apply a slightly thinner layer than your face
• Start with 5 minutes, build up to 10 over several sessions
• Watch for over-exfoliation signs: persistent redness, tightness, or darkening (paradoxical PIH from irritation)

What to Pair With It for Faster Results

Realistic Timeline for Results

The Single Biggest Rule

No SPF = no improvement. Every session of acid exfoliation leaves fresh, pigment-vulnerable skin exposed. UV exposure on that skin directly triggers more melanin production - undoing any progress. SPF 30+ mineral sunscreen, every morning, is mandatory while using this product.

Understanding What You're Working With

7-Day Weekly Schedule

Face & Neck (Hyperpigmentation)

Clinical note: A 2017 RCT in Dermatology Surgery (PMID: 28114204) confirmed glycolic acid peels combined with a topical depigmenting regimen significantly reduced post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in darker skin tones - supporting the rotating peel + topical acid approach.

Minoxidil (Beard Growth - Lower Face Zone)

Full Daily Routines

Every Morning (AM) - All Days

1. Gentle non-foaming cleanser
2. Glycolic Acid 6% toner/serum (if using as AM product)
   OR skip and save it for the PM schedule above
3. Niacinamide 5-10% serum (brightening, barrier support)
4. Light moisturizer (ceramide-based)
5. Mineral SPF 30-50 (MANDATORY - every single day)
--- Wait 20-30 min ---
6. Minoxidil on beard area only (apply to dry skin)

Glycolic Acid 6% placement tip: If your product is a toner or leave-on serum (like The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution style), it can go in the AM routine on all days - leaving your PM slots cleaner. This is actually the safer arrangement since glycolic acid at 6% is low enough for daily AM use on most non-sensitive skin.

PM Routine Structure (by night type)

Tretinoin Nights (Mon / Wed / Sat)

1. Gentle cleanser → pat dry
2. Wait 20-30 min (dry skin = less irritation)
3. Pea-sized amount of Tretinoin 0.025% - face and neck
4. Wait 20 min
5. Rich barrier moisturizer (ceramides + hyaluronic acid)
--- Beard area ---
6. Apply minoxidil to beard zone ONLY
   (if beard area overlaps chin/cheeks, let tretinoin fully absorb + add barrier cream first)

Glycolic Acid 6% Night (Tue) - if using PM

1. Gentle cleanser → pat dry
2. Glycolic Acid 6% toner/serum - face and neck
3. Hydrating serum (hyaluronic acid, panthenol)
4. Moisturizer
--- Beard area ---
5. Minoxidil on beard zone

Peel Night (Friday)

1. Gentle cleanser → completely dry skin
2. Apply 15% AHA + 1% BHA Peel - face and neck
3. Leave 10 minutes (neck: start at 5 min)
4. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water
5. Hydrating serum (NO actives - hyaluronic acid only)
6. Rich moisturizer
--- Beard area ---
7. Skip minoxidil on peel night if beard area was covered by peel
   (skin too sensitized - resume next morning)

Rest Nights (Thu / Sun)

1. Gentle cleanse
2. Hydrating serum
3. Rich moisturizer (focus on barrier repair)
4. Minoxidil on beard area

The Minoxidil + Tretinoin Zone Conflict

• On tretinoin nights, apply tretinoin to full face first, let it absorb 20-30 min, then apply a thin layer of plain moisturizer over the beard zone as a buffer
• Then apply minoxidil over the moisturizer barrier on the beard zone
• This reduces the risk of irritation from tretinoin + minoxidil stacking on the same skin
• Never apply minoxidil to broken, irritated, or freshly peeled skin - absorption increases dramatically and can cause systemic side effects (headache, dizziness, rapid heartbeat)

What Each Active Does for Hyperpigmentation

Glycolic Acid 6% (daily/frequent)
  → Surface-level dead cell removal, melanin shedding, tyrosinase inhibition

15% AHA + 1% BHA Peel (weekly)
  → Deeper exfoliation reset, pore clearing, accelerated cell turnover

Tretinoin 0.025% (3x/week)
  → Dermal-level cell renewal, collagen stimulation, disperses melanin clusters
  → THE most clinically proven topical for hyperpigmentation long-term

Key Rules Summary

Realistic Timeline

Before You Apply

Prep Checklist

• ✅ Skin is completely clean - no makeup, sunscreen, or product residue
• ✅ Skin is completely dry - wait at least 10-15 minutes after washing
• ✅ No other actives used in the last 24 hours (no retinoids, vitamin C, other acids)
• ✅ It is evening / nighttime
• ✅ You have done a patch test previously

Step-by-Step Application

Step 1 - Cleanse

Why fully dry? Wet or damp skin dilutes the acid, causes uneven absorption, and increases irritation risk. The acids need a dry surface to work at the correct pH.

Step 2 - Dispense the Product

Step 3 - Apply to Face First

Forehead → Both cheeks → Nose → Chin

• Use fingertip tapping or gentle spreading motions - do not rub or massage in
• Apply a thin, even layer - pooling the product thickens it and increases irritation
• Avoid completely:
  • Eye area (including under-eye and eyelids)
  • Lips and corners of the mouth
  • Any active breakouts that are open/bleeding
  • Eyebrows (can lighten hair)

Step 4 - Apply to Neck

• Use whatever product remains on your fingertips after the face
• Apply in downward strokes from the jawline toward the collarbone
• Cover the front of the neck and sides - skip the very back of the neck unless you have hyperpigmentation there
• Use an even thinner layer than the face
• Avoid: throat/larynx area directly, under the chin fold if it tends to stay moist

For neck hyperpigmentation specifically: Focus the application on areas of actual discolouration - commonly the sides of the neck, jawline shadow, and sun-damaged front panel. You do not need full coverage of every inch.

Step 5 - Wait

• A mild tingling or warming sensation is normal
• Slight redness is normal
• Burning, stinging, or sharp pain = rinse off immediately - do not push through it
• Do not touch your face, rub, or apply anything else on top

Step 6 - Rinse Off

• Rinse with lukewarm water (not hot, not cold)
• Use your hands to splash water over face and neck thoroughly
• The red/burgundy colour of the product acts as a rinse indicator - keep rinsing until all colour is gone
• Pat dry gently

Step 7 - Immediate Post-Application (same night)

1. Hydrating serum → Hyaluronic acid or panthenol-based
2. Rich moisturizer → Ceramide-based, fragrance-free

Step 8 - Next Morning (non-negotiable)

1. Gentle cleanse
2. Hydrating serum
3. Moisturizer
4. Mineral SPF 30-50 (zinc oxide preferred)

Frequency for Hyperpigmentation

What the Peel Is Actually Doing to Your Hyperpigmentation

Application
    ↓
Acids dissolve bonds between pigment-loaded dead cells
    ↓
10 minutes contact time - surface + mid-epidermal penetration
    ↓
Rinse removes loosened dead skin + superficial melanin deposits
    ↓
Next 48-72 hours - accelerated cell turnover brings fresh cells up
    ↓
Repeat sessions progressively fade deeper pigment layers
    ↓
With consistent SPF - no new pigment triggers
    ↓
Result: gradual, even fading over 8-12 weeks

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid