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Resurfacing Acid

Mandelic and lactic acids, 12%.

$165

30 mL / 1.0 fl. oz.

  • Leaves skin looking
  • smoother-looking
  • more even-looking
  • clearer

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  • In stock

  • Free shipping on orders over $199

Pairs well with

The hot end of the scale. A weekly resurfacing acid at a concentration that does the work in one pass rather than three. Mandelic is the larger molecule and moves slowly; lactic is smaller and moves faster. Together they loosen the surface evenly instead of stripping it, so tone looks more even and texture looks smoother without the week of tightness that usually follows.

Use it and then leave the skin alone. Nothing else on the same night.

On the label

Resurfacing Acid

What it is
Mandelic and lactic acids, 12%.
Benefits
  • smoother-looking
  • more even-looking
  • clearer
Where it fits
resurface step
Key ingredients
  • mandelic acid
  • lactic acid

How to use

  1. Twice a week at most

    At night, on dry skin. Four drops, avoiding the eye area.

  2. Nothing else that evening

    Do not follow with another acid or a retinoid on the same night.

  3. SPF the next morning

    Daily SPF is not optional while you are using this.

Resurfacing Acid

The formulation

mandelic acid
the larger of the two acids, so it moves through the surface slowly and evenly rather than all at once
lactic acid
smaller and faster, and humectant in its own right, so the surface is loosened without being left tight

Also made with gluconolactone, glycerin, panthenol

Resurfacing Acid formula

How it compares

  • Strength

    Resurfacing Acid: 12%, printed on the bottle

    A typical prestige serum: "High-strength complex", unquantified

  • Frequency

    Resurfacing Acid: Once or twice weekly, and it says so

    A typical prestige serum: "Use daily" — on an acid

  • What follows it

    Resurfacing Acid: Nothing. The page says nothing

    A typical prestige serum: Three more steps, sold separately

  • Price

    Resurfacing Acid: $165, and it does not move

    A typical prestige serum: $188 in March, $132 in November