Farmacy just launched a new alpha hydroxy acid resurfacing serum called Honeymoon Glow. Details per Farmacy:
A 3-in-1 night serum that resurfaces, hydrates and clarifies dull skin while you sleep, formulated with a 14% AHA/BHA/gentle flower acids blend. Hyaluronic acid and our proprietary honey blend deliver intense hydration. Salicylic acid derived from willow bark helps minimize the appearance of pores. Honeymoon Glow also helps reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles to reveal a healthy, more youthful complexion and a natural glow—no wedding required.
Benefits:
Resurfaces dull skin. A blend of AHA from lactic, glycolic, citric and fruit acids exfoliates dead skin cells, promotes cell renewal, targets hyperpigmentation and helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Refines pores. BHA from willow bark, a natural source of salicylic acid, helps visibly diminish pore size.
Gently exfoliates. Flower acids from hibiscus exfoliate, smoothing and retexturizing skin while at the same time moisturizing and helping to combat the look of skin redness.
Perfect for all skin types. Hyaluronic acid, along with our proprietary honey blend, deliver intense yet gentle hydration to ensure skin is never dry or over-stripped.
Directions
Apply a generous layer (1–2 pumps) to clean skin at night, avoiding eyes and lips. Use 2–3 times a week. May build up to more frequent use. Slight tingling may be experienced.
Sunburn Alert: This product contains an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that may increase skin's sensitivity to the sun and particularly the possibility of sunburn. Use a sunscreen (we recommend Green Screen!) and cover areas where AHAs have been applied prior to sun exposure with sunscreen. Limit sun exposure while using this product and for a week after discontinuation. Use only as directed. Avoid eye contact. If irritation persists, discontinue use.
Key Ingredients
- 10% AHA Blend: Lactic, glycolic, citric and fruit acids exfoliate dead skin cells, promote cell renewal, target hyperpigmentation and help reduce the appearance of pores, fine lines and wrinkles.
- 1% BHA: Natural salicylic acid from willow bark helps reduce the appearance of pores.
- 3% Flower Acids Blend: Hibiscus flower extract gently exfoliates while moisturizing skin.
- Hyaluronic Acid: Hydrates and plumps by drawing water to the skin and helping to prevent moisture loss.
- Proprietary Honey Blend: Known for its soothing and humectant properties, this special honey provides skin-loving moisture and nourishment, plus antioxidants.
Ingredients
Water/Aqua/Eau, Lactic Acid, Propanediol, Jojoba Esters, Glycolic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Oleosomes, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Citric Acid, Honey Extract, Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract, Propolis Extract, Royal Jelly Extract, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Oil, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugarcane) Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Salvia Hispanica Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Arachidyl Alcohol, Sclerotium Gum, Coco-Glucoside, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Behenyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol, Potassium Sorbate, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Gluconolactone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ocimum Basilicum (Basil) Flower/Leaf Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, T-Butyl Alcohol, Glucose, Calcium Gluconate, Citral
In short this is an exfoliating serum. It's an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) & beta hydroxy acid (BHA) serum. This has a 14% AHA/BHA/Flower acid blend. That's quite potent for an acid serum actually. I normally like around 8% but I have used up to 12% just fine. 10% comes from AHA like lactic, glycolic, citric & fruit acids. So this serum does use the regular lactic and glycolic acids, plus it has natural acids from: sugarcane (glycolic), sugar maple (tartaric acid) plus lemon & orange fruit extracts (citric acid). 3% of the acid blend comes from flower acids aka hibiscus flower. Hibiscus flower is known as the "Botox plant". It has natural AHAs, antioxidants called anthocyanocides which protect against free radicals, have astringent & anti-inflammatory properties. It’s also moisturizing as well. The 1% BHA comes from the natural salicylic acid in willow bark extract.
Honeymoon Glow also has a plethora of extra beneficial ingredients like safflower oleosomes, grape seed oil, honey, echinacea, propolis, royal jelly, hydrolyzed sodium hyaluronate & hyaluronic acid (I love that they included hydrolyzed as this is the small molecule version that can actually penetrate the skin!), turmeric, ginger & meadowfoam seed oil. This has a well rounded acid blend combined with many skin loving, hydrating, soothing and antioxidant ingredients.
Honeymoon Glow has a thicker slightly creamy serum texture. It smells like honey. I love the glass pump bottle as that's my favorite type of packaging. This exfoliating serum is potent. There are higher percentages of acid serums (I just got one that was 20%) so 14% is not the highest. Normally my sweet spot is a 5-8% acid serum for nightly use. I do like a higher percentage one as a once a week treatment and this wouldn't be a nightly serum for me. I found this tingles for a bit after applying. Lots of people say acids sting less if you apply to dry skin, so don't apply after misting. I agree with that. I found it has reduced that side effect in certain acid products for me.
The AHAs will resurface the skin, add moisture and help stimulate cell turnover for a more radiant complexion. The BHA will help 'unglue' the dead cells in your pores leading to a clearer complexion. BHA also has some anti-inflammatory properties. I like having both in an acid serum. Beyond the tingling for a few minutes there was no adverse effects I experienced while using this product. I know some have experienced more side effects such as burning. If you're sensitive you will want to patch test this or get a sample first. Always start on the lower end with acids. Apply once a week then move up if your skin tolerates this OK. I prefer this as a weekly treatment and I'll use my weaker acids for daily use. I woke up to a radiant complexion each morning after using. It may be a stronger acid blend, but I love everything about this serum.
*Gifted by brand but all thoughts are my own
