Alastin Skincare ReSURFACE Skin Polish 2.3 Oz

A once-a-week polish that works two ways at once: volcanic mineral to buff, and a low level of glycolic acid to loosen what the buffing leaves behind. Alastin's own phrase is dual-action exfoliation.

What is Alastin ReSURFACE Skin Polish?

ReSURFACE is Alastin's exfoliator. In their words it "uncovers instantly smoother, visibly glowing skin with dual-action exfoliation powered by volcanic minerals and glycolic acid to sweep away dead skin cells." A nickel-sized amount on wet skin, massaged for about 30 seconds, once a week.

Why the glycolic acid is at a low level

Alastin is direct about this: "to prevent sensitivity, glycolic acid is included at a low level in combination with arginine. This provides a gentle boost in exfoliation and helps clear out pores without irritation."

Perlite is the physical half, a naturally derived volcanic mineral Alastin includes for gentle exfoliating benefits. Glycolic acid is the chemical half. Alastin says it provides exfoliation and moisturization to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and enhances skin texture. Phytoene and phytofluene are antioxidants carried alongside them.

ReSURFACE specifications

Alastin ReSURFACE reviews

• A pea to a nickel is the whole dose. "You use so little it lasts." "All you need is a pea size." At a weekly cadence the tube goes a long way.
• It feels more robust than it looks. One buyer puts it well: pretty rough on the skin, be gentle, and it still does not irritate her sensitive skin. The grains are described as small and not abrasive.
• Keep your eyes shut. One reviewer's practical tip, so the fine particles stay out of them.
• It suits people other scrubs have not. One buyer had never tolerated an exfoliator without drying out and does here. Another switched from apricot pit scrubs and a different brand's dry exfoliator.
• Some buyers use it more often than the label says. Several report two or three times a week. Alastin directs once a week, and with a glycolic acid in the formula that is the number worth following.

Where it fits in the week

Once a week, in place of your usual cleanse. Keep it off the same night as Alastin Renewal Retinol, since acid and retinol together is how most people overdo it. Follow with Ultra Light Moisturizer, and be consistent with face sunscreen the next day. The rest of the line is in Alastin.

How to Use

• Apply a nickel-sized amount to cleansed skin that is still wet.


• Massage gently in light, circular motions for about 30 seconds.


• Rinse thoroughly with water.


• Once a week, or as directed by your provider. That is Alastin's own instruction, and this formula contains glycolic acid, so more often is not better.


• Keep your eyes closed as you massage, so the fine particles stay out of them.


• Wear sunscreen the following day. Any acid exfoliation leaves skin more sensitive to sun.

How often should I use it?

Once a week, or as directed by your provider. That is Alastin's instruction and it is worth following: this is a dual-action exfoliant with glycolic acid in it, more than a scrub. Some of our buyers report using it more often and liking it; the label still says once a week.

Is it suitable for sensitive skin?

Alastin's own guidance is that if you have redness, inflamed acne, sensitive skin, or you react to glycolic acid, this product may not be ideal for you. The skin types they name as suitable are aging, dry, oily and combination. Some buyers with sensitive skin do use it happily, one describing it as rough but not irritating, so patch test and go carefully if you are unsure.

Is this a scrub or an acid?

Both, which is the point. Perlite, a volcanic mineral, does the physical work, and a low level of glycolic acid does the chemical work. Alastin pairs the acid with arginine to keep it gentle.

Can I use it with my retinol?

Not on the same night. Acid exfoliation and retinol together is the most common way people overdo it. Space them out, and if you use both, a weekly polish on a non-retinol night works well.

Will it make my pores smaller?

Alastin's claim is that the glycolic acid helps clear out pores, which is not the same as shrinking them. Clear pores can look smaller. Nothing changes their actual size.

KEY INGREDIENTS

• Perlite. A naturally derived volcanic mineral that provides gentle exfoliating benefits. This is the physical half.


• Glycolic Acid. Provides exfoliation and moisturization to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and enhances skin texture. This is the chemical half, and Alastin keeps it at a low level in combination with arginine to prevent sensitivity.


• Phytoene and Phytofluene. Powerful antioxidants to further protect the skin.


• Squalane and Glycerin. Carried through the formula so the polish is not stripping.

FULL INGREDIENTS

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Perlite, Water/Aqua/Eau, Sucrose Laurate, Xylitol, Glycolic Acid, Lactoferrin, Dunaliella Salina Extract, Tocopherol, Squalane, Polylysine, Arginine, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Tin Dioxide (CI 77861), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891)

Who Is This For?

Aging, dry, oily and combination skin, which is Alastin's own list. Anyone working on rough texture or dullness who wants exfoliation that does not strip. If you have redness, inflamed acne or sensitive skin, or you react to glycolic acid, Alastin says this may not be the right one for you.

Your weekly step

1. Cleanse.


2. A nickel of ReSURFACE on skin that is still wet, 30 seconds, rinse. Once a week.


3. Serum, then moisturizer.


4. Sunscreen the next morning, without exception.