I've been on a huge Kat Burki kick lately if you can't tell from my Instagram. I'm slowly going through all their products on here. Next up is the Dual Acid Peel. Details per Kat Burki:
A dual purpose retexturizing anti-aging treatment with instant soothing and restorative benefits. Glycolic Acid reverses sun damage while Botanical Hyaluronic Acid, derived from the seeds of Cassia Angustifolia, refines skin texture by smoothing fine lines and wrinkles. Lastly, rich Cold Processed Avocado Oil refreshes and nourishes new skin cells leaving skin vibrant and radiant.
*10% Glycolic Acid, 5% Hyaluronic Acid *Includes a gentle brush applicator
I'll start with the packaging on this one. The steel metal glass jar is total eye candy. It looks like a highly polished stainless steel container. Inside is a liquid gel textured mask that smells like a cucumber dream. This surprised me both in texture and smell. I didn't expect such a liquid texture nor the cucumber scent. I figured it would be more jelly like and citrus scented. This comes with its own synthetic brush for application. Not necessary for me as I already own a synthetic masking brush, but if you didn't already own one and bought this mask than you have one now. I advise you apply this product with a brush as it is such a liquid texture.
Official Directions For Use
1) Cleanse face
2) Use brush to apply peel on face, neck and décolletage area
3) Leave on for a minimum of 5 minutes and up to 20 minutes
4) Rinse with water
5) Follow with Rose Hip Revitalizing Serum and Vitamin C Intensive Face Cream
*Recommended to avoid the sun or use SPF for sun protection after peel and to retain results from the Restorative Dual Acid Peel.
This mask combines glycolic acid (10%) with botanical hyaluronic acid, aloe, vitamin C & E, Reishi mushroom extract, grapeseed and avocado oils in addition to the standard Kat Burki KB5 complex (arnica, gotu kola, lavender, calendula and chamomile). It exfoliates, hydrates, and adds antioxidants to the skin. I found it non-irritating. Some glycolic acid masks can be irritating to the skin--You can experience redness or stinging. I experienced none of the potential negative side effects normally associated with these types of masks.
I would consider this a mild exfoliating mask. I actually have no idea why it smells like cucumber as it doesn't contain it. All Kat Burki products smell like cucumber so it has to be something in the KB5 complex. This mask is great for glycolic acid beginners because of the low irritation. Experienced glycolic acid mask users like myself will find this a nice break in between stronger peels.
This will put you back a bit in the pocket book. At $125 for a 2 oz jar it's a luxury more than a necessity. While I like it a lot, I honestly don't know if I would repurchase due to the cost and mild exfoliating effect. At only 10% glycolic acid this might actually be a good Alphahydroxy Acid (AHA) serum. If this product could be redone and changed to an exfoliating serum it would be more worth it to me to purchase in the future. And Kat Burki is lacking in an exfoliating serum. Hint hint.
Ingredients
KB5™ Complex (Arnica Montana (Arnica), Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola), Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender), Calendula Officinalis (Calendula), Matricaria Recutita (Chamomile)), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (Aloe), Glycolic Acid, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C), Cassia Angustifolia Seed Extract (Botanical Hyaluronic Acid), Vitis Vinifera (Grapeseed Oil), Persea Gratissima (Avocado Oil), Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Ganoderma Lucidum Extract (Reishi), Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Arginine, Natural Fragrance, Ethylhexylglycerin (Preservative, less than 1%), Phenoxyethanol (Preservative, less than 1%), Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene