Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

UPDATE: PLEASE READ: Previously I gave this product 5 stars and raved about it's near miraculous results. My original review was left intact below. Unfortunately, I need to revise my opinion and issue a warning to anyone using this or considering buying it. It does indeed produce amazing results. My drastic change of opinion took place when some of the cream unintentionally found it's way onto the sensitive skin under my eyes. Perhaps it was transferred via the pillow at night or was smeared by touching my face inadvertently. The skin became inflamed and swollen and even after subsiding has left the skin looking horribly lined and wrinkled. That single detail has aged my appearance 10 years. It is extremely upsetting and frustrating. In my previous review I gave the obvious advise to remember that this is an acid solution and to treat it with respect and caution. I believed I was doing that, but the ease of accidentally smearing the cream to areas not intended, in my opinion are not worth the risk and damage it can do. Perhaps using it only during waking hours in the evening indoors, is an alternative in order to receive it's benefits. Whatever your decision as to using it, I am only writing to stress it's damage potential and to never under any circumstances allow the cream to be placed on that very sensitive and thin skin under your eyes. I hope the manufacturer or associates will not flame this review with "unhelpful" votes as punishment for my honesty. Also perhaps over time the mess under my eyes will lessen and be less noticeable. But this is a dangerous acid product and use it at your own risk. Please note also I have never given any product a one star rating. ORIGINAL REVIEW: Perhaps nothing else influences the perception of age and health as much as the appearance of our skin. Glycolic acid, one of the mildest forms of alpha hydroxy acid, and a naturally occurring compound in sugar cane, aids in exfoliation and promotes healthy cell growth to replace the outermost layer. As a precaution, I purchased Reviva 5% Glycolic Acid Cream first to acclimate my skin to it's effects. I used it at night after gently cleansing the skin to allow it to penetrate more easily. To err on the side of caution, I left that milder cream on only 20 minutes at night before rinsing it off, making sure there was no excessive reaction or burning, and gradually increased the time until it was left on all night. I noticed results even after a single week of use with my skin feeling softer. When I felt my skin had acclimated, I ordered this higher 10% concentration and followed the same gradual exposure schedule. My main concern was darkened sun spots on my forehead that I hoped to lighten or even eliminate. After about a month of combined and gradual use, I am astounded at how effective this cream has been. The spots are at least 50% lighter and I feel certain that they will, in perhaps just weeks more, be gone completely. In addition, the overall tone of the skin is more even and uniform as well as being more supple. No over the counter product will miraculously make fine lines and wrinkles vanish, no matter what promises are made. But what it has already accomplished has made me wildly enthusiastic and I can easily recommend it. I bumped into a friend at an airport this week that I hadn't seen in a few years and she seemed baffled, asking what my secret was to looking younger than before. So that was a much appreciated testament that I attribute to the exfoliation effects of this cream. Everyone's skin and sensitivity is different so I would encourage the same gradual exposure as I patiently built on. At least one reviewer here expressed upset at actually being burned with this stronger concentration after being happy with the 5 % solution, emphasizing the need for caution and not being in too much of a hurry but appreciating that this is still acid and respecting it's potential. I might add that I now apply it liberally and apply over it some oil, presently preferring Moringa Oil, and keep it on while I sleep. One perhaps obvious footnote, is that I make certain to wash my hands thoroughly after applying it to avoid touching or rubbing my eye in my sleep and the pain and irritation that would be certain to cause. I give it a very hearty recommendation, especially considering it's comparatively modest price compared with some exorbitant designer creams or treatments at an esthetician.