Alpha-H Micro Cleanse – Old habits die hard

I really try to eat healthy. Not only during pregnancy, but all year round. And while I don’t struggle too much with getting my greens in and snacking on fruit and nuts, I do have a sweet tooth.

A big sweet tooth.

To be honest, it is out of control.

The best way to keep it under control? I just don’t buy the stuff. Because if I do, I will end up eating every last bit of it, going back to the sweets drawer numerous times a day purely out of habit.

Alpha-H Micro Cleanse with glycol acid & rice bran
Alpha-H Micro Cleanse with glycol acid & rice bran

 

Same seems to happen when I have a product with physical exfoliant in my bathroom: Even though I vouched to never use one again and instead stick to my chemical peels, I keep going back and reach for it!

Meet Alpha-H Micro Cleanse with glycol acid & rice bran and find out if I regret it as much as last nights bag of potato crisps…

 

What Alpha-H claims:

This bracing exfoliator is essentially Microdermabrasion in a tube, and uses Glycolic acid with rice bran and peppermint essential oil to effectively whoosh dirt, debris and blackheads out of pores and follicles. Ideal for normal, dry, combination, acne-prone and sun-damaged skin, it will also smooth out lines and wrinkles, leaving skin glowing thanks to antioxidants, cooling cucumber and refreshing mint.

 

Facts:

One squeeze tube contains 100 ml of product and retails for 26,50 GBP on Cult Beauty here or for 31,50 € on the Alpha-H website here.

They advise you to use this product twice a week, and I would recommend sticking to that or even using it less frequent if your skin is sensitive. The combination of physical exfoliants with 12% glycol acid can be too much otherwise.

Alpha-H Micro Cleanse - the product
Alpha-H Micro Cleanse – the product

The smell of peppermint is very subtle, and the product itself feels like a cream with tiny grains inside. The microbeads are only noticeable to the touch, not to the eye.

I got mine as part of a trial set, but the 30 ml included lasted me around five months.

Although not specified, I would recommend using it as a second cleanse in the evening. The skin can be a little red afterwards, so the mornings don’t seem to be ideal.

Now mind I haven’t tried doing that, but I would insist on staying away from your eyes to remove any makeup with this product, even though it is technically a cleanser!

Favorable ingredients:

  • Glycolic acid (12%): AHA, chemical exfoliant
  • Glycerin: Moisturizing
  • Cetyl alcohol/ Cetearyl alcohol: Fatty alcohols, softening (not to be confused with alcohol!)
  • Oryza sativa bran cera: Rice wax, skin protectant, softening
  • Macadamia ternifolia seed oil: Prevents water loss, rich in linoleic acid
  • Cucumis sativus extract: Cucumber, moisturizing, cooling
  • Caprylyl Glycol: Moisturizing
  • Mentha piperita oil: Peppermint oil, refreshing, cooling

Unfavorable Ingredients:

  • Micro beads: Physical exfoliant, environmental dangerous
  • Phenoxyethanol: Some people try to avoid it, I don’t mind. Preservative
  • Silicone

Please note that Alpha-H recently reformulated the product and added Caffein for a tightening effect. I did test the old version!

 

Does it live up to its claims?

Most of them.

It really has a lovely exfoliating effect, leaving the skin free of “dirt and debris”, and the cucumber and peppermint feel cooling on the skin. Good exfoliation is key to a reduced appearance (!) of fine lines and to blackhead prevention.

The “glow” I get is down to the scrubbing more than the antioxidants, I reckon, and your wrinkles will of course not disappear.

 

Will I rebuy?

No.

But this is solely down to the fact that I want to stay away from microbeads due to environmental reasons, otherwise I feel like it is a lovely product.

 

Who do I recommend it to?

If you are not ready to let go of physical exfoliators and don’t care about microbeads, this one is for you. It combines the efficacy of glycolic acid with a good “scrub”.

If your skin is very slow in cell turnover (probably due to aging and/or smoking), and you want the combined effort of chemical and physical exfoliants, give it a go.

But if your skin is VERY sensitive or you are concerned about plastic pollution, look somewhere else.

 

Now do I regret it as much as last nights potato crisps? No. To be honest, I don’t even regret them. Life is all about balance!

Which habits do you fall back into even though you know they aren’t great for you?

 

If you want to read more about skincare, please check out the „Skincare Reviews“ category in the side bar.

This post may contain affiliate links. All opinions are honest and my own.

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