If you count blackheads, dryness, fine lines, or an uneven skin tone amongst your complexion concerns, then listen up – this supercharged skincare routine is set to change everything. The stars of the show are AHAs and BHAs like glycolic and salicylic acid, delivered in liquid exfoliant form to refresh, revitalise, and renew by clearing away dead skin cells. Not only is it adaptable for every skin type, but it’s also just five steps – perfect for the minimalist who doesn’t want to compromise on that gorgeous glow.
What are AHAs and BHAs?
Before we get stuck into the nitty-gritty of our skincare routine, you might be feeling a little confused by all the acronyms – so let’s break it down. Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) are acids that chemically exfoliate the skin, sloughing away dead skin cells and revealing a clearer, more radiant look and feel.
AHAs are water soluble and work on the surface of the skin, exfoliating and binding water molecules to the skin to lock in hydration. Common alpha hydroxy acids include glycolic acid, lactic acid, and citric acid. Meanwhile, BHAs are oil soluble, so they work deeper down in the skin’s layers and predominantly deal with clearing up the dead skin cells that can cause breakouts and acne. The main type of beta hydroxy acid, and likely an ingredient you’ve heard of before, is salicylic acid. These ingredients work well separately, but together, they’re a downright powerhouse, ensuring the skin stays clear, bright, even, and moisturised.
The tldr? Both AHAs and BHAs should be non-negotiables in your skincare regimen. But, how do you build a routine around them that lets them work to the best of their ability? Without any further ado, let’s find out…
Step 1: Cleanse
The first step in any routine, whether it’s your fresh-outta-bed morning regimen or the amazing feeling of pampering your skin after a long day at work, is to cleanse. Cleansing removes oil, impurities, dirt, and makeup from the skin for a fresh, clean complexion. Select a product that suits your skin type – a cleanser for oily skin can be very different in its ingredient makeup to a cleanser for dry skin. Drier skin types may prefer cream or oil-based cleansers, whereas gel and foaming cleansers tend to glean better results if you are oily or combination.
If you’re looking for a good all rounder, though, we love the Remake Hello Tangelo Active Enzyme Cleanser. Formulated with skin-quenching tangelo and active ingredient niacinamide, this cleanser can work wonders for a range of skin types, as it’s refreshing and doesn’t strip the skin of its natural oils. In an AHA and BHA-heavy skincare routine, be sure to wait around 30 minutes between applying your niacinamide-based product and then progressing to your chemical exfoliants.
Step 2: Tone or mist
After you’ve got your skin feeling squeaky clean, the next step is to tone or mist the skin. Toners and mists serve different purposes, but one thing they have in common is that they prep the skin for your next steps by keeping it moist. Toners will help remove any stubborn impurities left after cleansing, whereas mists will give the skin an extra hit of hydration. There’s nothing saying you can’t use both, but in the interest of simplicity, most skincare lovers choose one or the other.
Step 3: Remake No BS Liquid Exfoliator
Sandwiched right in the middle of the perfect skincare routine (if we do say so ourselves) is the Remake No BS Liquid Exfoliator, AKA the hero of the story. Made with glycolic, salicylic, and citric acid for exfoliation that’s both potent yet gentle on the skin, No BS is an ideal product for anyone looking for an overnight complexion glow-up. You may have already cottoned onto the fact that this miracle-in-a-bottle is the key to ditching dead skin cells and revealing brighter, smoother, glowier skin with fewer visible imperfections… and that’s just what it gets up to during business hours.
Apply this liquid exfoliant by shaking a coin-sized amount onto a cotton round or onto clean, dry hands. Smooth over the entire face using gentle swiping motions, and once applied, be sure to give it a few minutes to sink in before moving onto any other products.
Step 4: Other serums
If you can’t give up your favourite juicy, skin-perfecting serum, don’t stress – as long as it’s not overloaded with reactive ingredients (think retinol or vitamin C, both of which are major no-nos with AHAs and BHAs) then you’re good to go. After letting the No BS Liquid Exfoliator settle on the skin, you can apply your favourite serum to enhance the benefits of your chemical exfoliation and keep moisture levels high.
Step 5: Moisturiser
The final piece of the puzzle, and always the closing act in any good skincare routine, is your moisturiser of choice. Moisturiser is key, especially at night time when you’re about to subject your skin to eight (or hopefully, more) hours of deep sleep, which can be very drying. Lock in all of that nourishing goodness and head off to bed, or out into the world, with smoother, softer, and more hydrated skin. Et voila – skincare routine complete!
Tips for using the Remake No BS Liquid Exfoliator
Ready for brilliant skin that’s better than ever before? Well, it’s just five steps away! But, before you get going, here are a few things to know about making the Remake No BS Liquid Exfoliator a forever favourite in your regimen.
- When first adding No BS to your routine, start out by using it one to two times a week – there’s nothing worse than going too hard, too fast when it comes to your skin! Over the subsequent weeks, you’ll be able to increase this frequency until you are using it every night or every other night.
- Avoid using this product in conjunction with two key ingredients – retinol (vitamin A) and vitamin C. AHAs and BHAs will conflict with both of these common skincare ingredients, leaving your skin tight, red, and angry. Of course, that doesn’t mean you need to give them up for good – just be sure to alternate day and night or day on, day off to give your skin a rest.
- If you’re planning on keeping or adding retinol to your routine, we recommend using that product at night time, as retinol can make the skin very sensitive to sunlight and will cause sun damage much faster. So, you’ll want to use your No BS Liquid Exfoliator in the morning as a result.
- When using a chemical exfoliant like No BS, the need for a physical exfoliant is essentially redundant. However, if you love the feeling of a good scrub every now and then, try to keep use to once per week to avoid overdoing it with the face exfoliators.
Want to overhaul your entire skincare routine without breaking the bank, or worse, breaking out your complexion? The entire Remake range is packed full of active ingredients where it counts, with no filler and, well… No BS. Shop our vegan, cruelty-free skincare today and enjoy premium products formulated in sustainable (and cute) packaging.