It is no secret that skincare has evolved and become a mainstream topic in 2020. With more bloggers, skincare brands, and dermatologists joining social media platforms practices like chemical exfoliation and use of actives in everyday skincare routines are being highlighted almost excessively.
Being someone who has struggled with acne and acne scars for the past 6-7 years I too decided to jump on the advanced skincare bandwagon and I did not make the best decisions as a beginner.
One of the bloggers I have been following talked about chemical exfoliants and how it is time to get over physical exfoliation. The benefits of these exfoliants are almost endless, these chemicals or acids help remove dead skin cells evenly from our skin and do not cause any tears like the physical ones, they also help us get rid of pigmentation and scars over time.
You can learn more about chemical exfoliation for Indian skin by clicking here.
Inspired by this trend, I too invested in a daily exfoliant from Dr. Sheths- a skincare brand especially catering to Indian skin. This impulsive decision turned out to be a horrible experience for me and my skin. Read on to know why.
Pricing:
850/- INR for 50 ML of product. Not too expensive.
Packaging:
For its price point, the packaging is just basic and a simple plastic pump bottle with a label slapped onto it. Many people claimed that the pump didn’t function properly, thankfully the pump was fine for me and it disposed enough product.
Claims:
– Gently Removes Dead Skin and reduces blemishes
– Brightens skin
– Suitable for all skin types, even for sensitive skin
– Works to manage key issues like pigmentation and uneven skin
Ingredients:
– Glycolic acid (no percentage mentioned)
– Lactic acid (no percentage mentioned)
– Pomegranate Extracts
Full Ingredients list:
Glycerin (hydrating)| Light Liquid Paraffin (hydrating)| Olivem 1000 (Olive Oil derived emulsifier)| Arlamol 812 (emulsifier)| Wheat and Berry Sugars [Xylityl Glucoside]| Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol (hydrating)| Steareth 21 (emulsifier)| Cetyl Alchohol (emulsifier)| Propylene Glycol (penetration enhancer, solubilizer)| Sodium Acrylates Copolymer (emulsifier)| Lecithin (hydrating)| Grapefruit Extract (brightening)| Sodium Hydroxide (pH adjuster)| Sensitive skin safe perfume| Purified Water (hydrating)
I would like to point out that this formulation has perfume and the chemical breakdown of the perfume is not mentioned clearly. I got the full ingredients list from their website as it was not mentioned on the bottle.
Formulation:
It is a lotion formula intended to be used daily. Can also work as a spot treatment or a mask (if you apply a thick layer of the product for 5-10 mins on your face)
My Experience + Real Results:
I had high hopes for this product because when I bought it in August, I was not aware of the ingredients in this formula completely and if it was safe for me or not. Since then I have invested my time in learning more about skincare and diving deep into what is suitable for Indian skin.
Unfortunately, glycolic acid is not for Indian skin or skin of color, it exfoliates skin unevenly. The safest Aha for Indian skin is Mandelic Acid and then lactic acid. This formula has 5% Glycolic acid and 5% Lactic Acid, which is a high concentration for a ‘daily peel’. The maximum should be 2%.
I used this in my PM routine daily for 2 weeks and it was the biggest skincare blunder I made. My skin became oilier than it usually is the next morning. Even after applying sunscreen and staying indoors, my acne scars deepened. I started breaking out and it was not due to purging since I got full-blown boils. You can check the pictures below.
Before:
After 2 Weeks:
I had to discontinue this product and switch to benzoyl peroxide 2.5% to heal my acne. One tube of benzoyl peroxide tamed my acne and reduced my spots a little. It cost me Rs.150 that’s all.
What upset me the most was this formula claims to be great for Indian skin yet it contains perfume, glycolic acid and the directions for using this are unclear. It is not at all beginner-friendly or skin-friendly. To be very honest this daily peel is a great way to irritate your skin. I have lost my 850 bucks on this.
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Final Verdict:
Currently, I am using this product as a wash-off treatment once a week at night. No chemical exfoliant is great for daily use unless the concentration is 2% or less than 2%. I did notice that it removed my tan but that’s about it. I do not want any other skincare beginner or user putting this on their skin. This is the biggest skincare mistake I made.
There are safer, fragrance-free, Indian-skin-friendly skincare options available in the market. Please watch Dr. Vanita’s videos, her advice has helped me improve my skin.
Special thanks to @theindianminimalist aka Vyshnavi, it is because of her that I picked up benzoyl peroxide and healed my acne.
Mirreflector 
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