Category: Chemical Exfoliants

By no means as scary as they may sound, chemical exfoliants have a variety of uses, from acne prevention and treatment to brightening and wrinkle reduction. When properly formulated and appropriately used, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) are skin care superstars.

  • How to Exfoliate: Multitasking with Chemical Exfoliants

    The most recent episode of the Snailcast was all about acids and how to exfoliate safely and effectively, and I’m super bummed because I wasn’t able to join thanks to moving hassles. But the topic got me thinking about acids and reminded me that I’ve been doing mine in a different way than I used to. A…

  • Spring/Summer 2016 Flops and Faves, Part 3: Yet More Hanbang + the Return of the AHA

    Previously: Part 1: Classics and New Faves | Part 2: Best and Worst Ginseng Skincare This final installment of my spring/summer 2016 skincare routine update took me a very long time to write because so much has been happening with my life and my skin! Which sounds dire but in reality isn’t. Even when I’ve been let down by something I’d been…

  • Mid-Year Megapost: Fiddy’s Faves and Flops of Spring/Summer 2016, Part 1

    This is my skincare basket. It’s the sturdy workhorse that carries everyday essentials chosen out of my much more extensive skincare wardrobe. The contents of my basket change on a fairly regular basis. But I recently realized that some things never get banished from the basket, even for a night. That got me thinking about the ways my…

  • How to (Safely) Fade a Tan (If That’s What You Want to Do)

    If there were an official AB FAQ, “How do I fade a tan?” would be right near the top, yet it’s one of the easiest to answer (though not to do). To fade a tan, you don’t need products marketed as “whitening.” You’ll need sun protection, progressive exfoliation, melanin inhibition, and a buttload of time and patience.

  • (UPDATED!) Exfoliation Sensation: Prelab Toning Peeling Tap Review + Bonus Tip

    Update 8/6/16: I’ve now gone through several jars of this product and have found a way to get much more use out of the pods than I was my first time around. Scroll down to the new “Prelab Toning Peeling Tap Tip” section to check it out! As much as I preach the benefits of…

  • Papa Recipe 2 Step Skin Cleaning Solution Review, Volume 1: Surprise Obsession

    I wasn’t planning to write this review today (or anytime soon, really). For the last five nights, I’ve been sweatily grunting and straining to push out a big, difficult post that took shape in my head months ago but refuses to pass into solid reality. But after cleansing (my face!) this morning, I found I couldn’t wait…

  • Casual Tuesday: Enter the Acid Toner

    Guys, I’ve added a new step to my skincare routine! And I know you may be wondering, Where do you even have room for a new step? or maybe Do you really need another step? Well, the answer to the second is up for debate, but I wouldn’t be here blogging about it if it hadn’t…

  • Curology Month 3 Update, B&A, + a Chat with My Provider about Tretface Skincare

    Man. Time sure flies when you’re taking your fine lines and sunspots to church with actives so powerful that only licensed medical professionals can provide them. I’m now in my third month on Curology prescription skincare. I’ve gone from 0.012% to 0.02% to 0.05% tretinoin, one bottle at a time (with the first, weakest prescription…

  • Midsummer Routine Check + Sample Routines

    As you may have noticed, my routine is an ever-evolving thing. Our skin condition isn’t static, and for best results, we should adapt our routine on a day-to-day basis to account for things like weather and other environmental changes, as well as for our own health and skin conditions and anything else that might affect…

  • Where to Buy COSRX in the US

    Transparent Snail is Transparent: I am in no way affiliated with the brand discussed in this post, do not earn commissions from either seller discussed here, and gain nothing from any sales of the brand’s product, except the satisfaction of leading another person to a stellar skincare brand. In fact, I have never even gotten…