Gold In A Jar -- Walgreen's Brand Alpha Hydroxy Cream
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free skin care · Mon Aug 23, 2010 10:17 am

Skippie, I do consider my skin somewhat sensitive. My skin doesn't react well when I start using certain products with a lot of additives, fragrances, etc, and I usually have trouble with breakouts when using a lot of products. But with the Alpha Hydroxy cream, NO breakouts yet! That's when I know I found something good, when my skin seems to like it, because my skin can be pretty hard to please. I am using it during the day, and I also slather some on before bed. In the morning, my skin looks wonderful. Only thing is, for day use, you must use SPF since AHAs make skin more sensitive to sunburns. Which leads me to your next question, yes I am using it with Neutrogena Healthy Skin Face Lotion with SPF. That is basically the only product I am using it with right now, and I also believe the Neutrogena lotion has alpha hydroxy in it as well. I think Alpha Hydroxy Acids are my new best friend. I had a prescription to Retin-A years ago, and I didn't like what it did to my skin. I think AHAs are a way to get Retin-A like results, with less irritation.

I've heard that with AHA your face can peel or become red and dry, but I've had no such problem with the Walgreen's cream. My face feels very well hydrated, without being oily. It's such a low concentration of AHA, that it doesn't bring on the bad side effects, only the good. Unless anything bad happens with this cream in the future, I think I'm hooked.

free skin care · Mon Aug 23, 2010 10:41 am

You're welcome! I love sharing good products. Yeah I wouldn't mind going back to retin-a as well, but I just noticed too much irritation with it at times, which bothered me... down the road I'll probably get some retin-a again.

Wow, I didn't know it was available online, that's good! I initially found this cream at a Walgreen's about 10 miles from my house. When I found out it was a little hard to find, I went to a Walgreen's 1 mile from my house to get another, and they didn't have it on the shelves! So I went back to the other one, and took the LAST jar! It's probably one of those products that they don't keep high stock of, because it's in the shadows a bit. Everyone reaches for the more popular brands, and ones with higher price tags because they think paying more money = better results.

This cream was also rated a 4.4/5 on Makeupalley. I'm reading more reviews of it right now, some are saying that it clogged their pores and was too thick. But I don't find it too thick at all. It seems perfect for my skin, and like I said, a lot of products seem to not agree with my skin.

free skin care · Mon Aug 23, 2010 1:54 pm

I'm sorry you were unable to find it. Fortunately there are Walgreen's on almost every corner, so you might get lucky. Smile

You're welcome. I hope you guys get the chance to try this out, I surely don't think you'll be disappointed, and if you do, you only spent $6.

Another good thing, since it's so cheap, you can practically use in anywhere on your body. My only gripe is that it's in a jar, and makes it a little less sanitary than usual to use, but I'll deal with that.

free skin care · Mon Aug 23, 2010 2:39 pm

DarkMoon I don't know if you have tried this yet, but if you go on the Walgreen's website you can check to see if it's available in any stores around you. I'm not sure how accurate it is, but it might help you locate a jar of this. And I never thought about using some sort of spatula to scoop it out, that's a good idea to keep it clean!

Kims, you're welcome!

I honestly am just amazed I discovered this. I too, go to Walgreen's a lot and never noticed this product. But I am so thankful I did.

free skin care · Mon Aug 23, 2010 3:43 pm

I am most definitely dumber than dumb. I went to Walgreens website and search for "Gold in a Jar". I am laughing so hard right now as I type that tears are streaming down my face. OMG, how stupid can one person be? (don't answer that)

free skin care · Mon Aug 23, 2010 4:28 pm

DarkMoon I figured I should tell you about that feature in case you had missed it! And even better, you should probably call the store that says it's in stock to double check before driving!

Frodo, LOL. Thanks for my laugh of the night. I suppose I was a little misleading, although I believe Walgreen's should change the name to just "Gold In A Jar".

Also, while reading numerous reviews (all of which made me more excited to use the product) one reviewer commented saying that this product is made by TriStrata, aka NeoStrata (www.neostrata.com) which is a company that specializes in alpha hydroxy acid skin care technology. This Walgreen's cream is similar to a cream they make which they sell for about $30. I looked at the back of the jar to confirm this. Interesting to know!

free skin care · Mon Aug 23, 2010 5:34 pm

Here's the link for the cream + ingredient list;

http://www.walgreens.com/store/catalog/Lotions-and-Creams/Alpha-Hydroxy-Face-Cream/ID=prod5822041-product

Just an FYI, it's an 8% concentration of a 70% AHA for those interested. Wink

free skin care · Fri Aug 27, 2010 10:59 am

DarkMoon wrote:

Loumomofthree wrote:

Found it at a local Walgreens...I got the last jar.
Thanks so much, we're on a tight budget so now I don't feel so guilty about ordering my vit c now...

Lou

Good for you Lou! I have a feeling Walgreens will be having a bit of a run on this thanks to EC! I am grabbing some tomorrow at one close by my bank! Bad Grin

Thanks, I was so excited when I saw the last jar sitting on the bottom shelf...you'd think I won the lottery...I just stood in shook then quickly grabbed it up..LOL...

free skin care · Sun Sep 05, 2010 9:32 pm

I picked some of this cream up today (actually bought 2 jar - it's $4.99!!!!) and tried it on the backs of my hands as soon as I got home.

It's got a bite!!! I think I'm going to really like this.
Thanks so much for the heads up!

And too funny - it was hiding on the bottom shelf. Even though I knew what it looked like, it still took me a couple minutes to find it!!!

My hands and cuticles especially are very dry all the time (dry climate), and even though I love my shea butter, AHA really cleans up the cuticles and heals any little nicks or scrapes on the hands.

free skin care · Mon Sep 27, 2010 6:42 pm

DarkMoon wrote:

rileygirl wrote:

DarkMoon wrote:

(my boobs would suffocate me on my back)

ROFLMAO!

Way too funny!

All I can do is laugh, on my back I feel like I have a sandbag pressing on each side of my chest! Forget sleeping on these things!

Bad Grin

ROFLMAO as well! Laughing

free skin care · Sat Oct 16, 2010 6:15 am

erg,

I can't say I do anything drastic to my skin and it's non-reactive but I have been using it daily after an LAA serum without issues. I do use both a cream SS and then the Colorescience Orb so I don't have a worry about sun exposure and I am in a very sunny area south Florida.

HTH

free skin care · Sat Oct 16, 2010 10:07 am

I'm so glad to see so many are using and loving AHA's. I've been loving them for decades, and I'm quite sure it has a lot to do with why my skin is still pretty youthful.

Viva la AHA's! Very Happy

free skin care · Sat Oct 16, 2010 10:55 am

DarkMoon wrote:

Well I can't say I am new to AHA's as I used the original Avon Anew the minute it was released (mid 30's to around 50) but did take a break for the last few years. This is every bit as good for my skin! Loving it! Smile

http://www.avontrailblazers.com/avon_labs_builds_on_a_century_of.htm

In 1992 Avon became the first beauty company to bring technology that uses alpha hydroxy acids in cosmetics to the mass market, said Amy Chasen, an analyst with Goldman Sachs who follows the household and personal-care product
industries.

Hi DM, that's interesting. I remember trying the Pond's cream with AHAs (my first) back in the mid 90's. That was also the beginning of my skincare * spam alert *. I remember that after I'd used the cream for about 2 weeks, the cashier in the supermarket said 'Wow, what have you done to your skin!?' And I was hooked . . . . Confused

free skin care · Mon Oct 18, 2010 10:16 pm

DarkMoon wrote:

SoCalGal wrote:

DarkMoon wrote:

SoCalGal,

I can only speak from personal experience (with my extremely non-reactive skin) I would stock pile the Anew when it was on sale, like 6 jars! I never felt a difference between the first and last? I am not really concerned but that's just me. Smile

Do I have non-reactive skin? Lousy skincare will make me breakout (like Philosophy) and acne topicals dry me out like crazy, but I can't find a peel that even makes me pink. Is that non-reactive or just thick skin?

I haven't used any anti-acne products I never had breakouts, but I am the same with all the peels I have tried (even left them on way longer than the instructions said) not any reaction at all, no pink, red just nada! Smile

I'm going to ignore the 'no acne' part LOL! Isn't that weird? I'm going to ask the facialist to do a strong glycolic peel next time. I think she knows by now that I'm not going to be in pain - for sure!

free skin care · Sun Oct 24, 2010 7:24 pm

erg wrote:

Hi,
I hope this is not too off topic, but this thread has inspired me to add AHA's to my routine.
I really wanted to find a liquid solution, rather than a cream. I found Alpha Hydrox site and they have swipes with 14% AHA.

So, a few questions:

1) Has anyone used this?

2) In looking at the ingredient list I see Ammonium Hydroxide. This is a SCARY chemical. I am an artist (I work with metal) and this chemical will corrode and eat through metals in minutes. It is so dangerous, you have to wear a full mask/respirator when using it. It is nasty stuff. So, I looked around and quite a few AHA products have this.. Any thoughts?

3) So, in trying to avoid that... Maybe I can make my own swipes. I have 88% lactic acid solution which I can dilute to about 10%. Does lactic acid has the same collagen building effects like glycolic acid? This one will take some more research .
Smile

(By the way, on another forum there was a recipe for a "DIY Amlactin" with 15% lactic acid and 85% lotion. It is WONDERFUL!!)

thanks!
erg

Hi erg -

The ammonium hydroxide is used to adjust the PH and buffer the effects of the AHA. Cosmetics database lists it as a low hazard, with a couple of comments: http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/ingredient.php?ingred06=700370

I've not used the Alpha Hydroxy wipes. I used some from Avon a few years back.

If you want a liquid, you might look at the Skin Biology Lacsal serum - it is salicylic and lactic combined. No ammonium hydroxide.

I would think you could make your own wipes or liquid, just dilute it enough to get the concentration you want. You could thicken it a bit with some glycerin or maybe aloe gel.

Some of the studies quoted in this thread indicate the benefits from lactic acid. http://www.essentialdayspa.com/forum/viewthread.php?p=6392143

I've seen that DIY Amlactin lotion myself, but haven't gotten around to making it.

free skin care · Mon Oct 25, 2010 4:18 pm

Hi 'erg'...

Lactic acid IS an AHA, it's just a *gentler* version than glycolic.

It whips up luverly in DIY creams/serums, and can be used with Retinyl Palmitate for a one two punch...

As with any acid, let your skin be your guide as far as strength goes. The optimal goal to shoot for would be between 10 + 15%, and just like vitamin C it is fairly useless unless the pH is 3.5 or below. (Sorry, but I don't believe 4.0 will do anything for the skin, but it would have to be in that range to be available OTC.) For sensitive folks, if you can tolerate 8% a few times per week, that would be better than nothing.

I swear by AHA's, and have been using them for decades.. A few nights a week is all it takes..

Oh, BTW, for wipes or AHA face wash products, supposedly leaving them on the skin for a minimum of 5 minutes, is how you derive the benefit from them.

For an easy and effective DIY face wash product, just buy the cheapest drug store product that contains some form of AHA, and then just add in Lactic Acid to reach your desired %. Adding in the LA will also reduce the pH which will make it more effective.

So is anybody enjoying the lovely AHA *glow* yet? ... Very Happy

Oh, just remembered another point in case it wasn't covered in the thread yet... Unlike BHA's, AHA's are not meant to penetrate deeply, but instead work on the outer most skin layers... They should be used at night, and are best as the last step in your regime. They can follow RA application, but wait about 30 minutes.

Sorry if any of this has alrady been covered...I didn't read the last few days of posts. Embarassed

free skin care · Tue Oct 26, 2010 6:18 am

I hope to be enjoying the AHA "glow" soon Smile

!
Thanks to everyone for all the great info/links.

I am completely re-working my routine so this will be a great add in. Thinking either DIY pads or Alpha Hydrox version (which have 14%!!!)

Sister, you are gonna LOVE what lactic acid does for your body. Makes skin very smooth.

free skin care · Tue Oct 26, 2010 8:26 am

Regarding using Retin A and AHA at the same time, this is what FutureDerm reported that Dr. Baumann had to say on the subject.

http://www.futurederm.com/2009/06/19/how-do-i-use-a-retinoid-and-aha-together/

"Retinoids should not be mixed with BHA (i.e., salicylic acid) or AHA (i.e,. glycolic acid) because the BHA and AHA can inactivate the retinoid."

free skin care · Tue Nov 23, 2010 9:45 am

For those that use Retin-A every other night, you could alternate with the AHA cream. So the routine would be like this:

AM
Vit C serum, sunscreen, etc.

PM
Every other night: Retin-A
Every other night: AHA cream

Could be too much acid for some skin. I tried it for a while a few months back, was too harsh for me, so I've dropped the AHA for now.

For those using Retin-A every night...I can't see a good alternative for adding in an AHA, unless you add it mid-day. You don't want to put it on too soon after Vitamin C.

I think you just have to pick what works best for your skin. All three (C, retin, AHA) may be too much - pick the best two for you.

Changing up the routine every once in a while could work too. There was a dermatologist while back (can't recall his name) who was advocating a 6 month cycle for Retin-A with 6 months using it, then 6 months using something else (like AHA).

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