Living in a modern world lets us come across a variety of beautifying modalities with powerful botanicals, streamlined regimens and technological advancements. Heaps of skincare products are geared towards every Skin type. From cleansing to nourishing and in-betweens, each step is inclined to you put your best face forward. One of the most important parts is exfoliation, taking out a mass of skin woes.

To gratify our craze, the world of exfoliants has become sophisticated, it can be cream, spray, scrub or mud. In this post, we are going to get down to the review on a souped-up exfoliant, Erno Laszlo White Marble Dual Phase Vitamin C Peel. This is another two-step skin goodie, next to the Erno Laszlo Firm & Lift Firmarine Lift Face Mask Set. Let’s see how far skin is able to reap its benefits.

1. Packed with Exfoliating, Skin Protective and Nourishing Agents

Designed to mildly exfoliate skin and minimize the appearance of dark spots, hyperpigmentation and discoloration. The “Step 1” is abrasive, gently polishing the upper layers of skin and cleansing off unwanted residues to mitigate congestion. Then, the “Step 2” replenishes skin with brightening and moisturizing powers to stimulate cellular repair. Jointly, they result in radiant, flawless looking complexion. Furthermore, its infusion of natural antioxidants and collagen-boosters fortify the skin protective barrier and ward off aging signs to make the skin stay youthful. Here is the deal!

The first step is Peel. Its signature ingredient is Polylactic Acid as an excellent exfoliating and purging agent. It vigorously strips off dull, non-living skin cells and also, draws out all of impurities, like sweat and grime, from the pores. Polylactic Acid is a biodegradable and bioactive polyester, particularly derived from the fermented plant starch, such as corn and sugarcane. It’s considered safe and eco-friendly.

Loaded with Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil and Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract. Rich in hydrating, calming and healing properties to reverse skin damage due to external aggressors, like the UV rays and pollution.

In addition, there is Beta Carotene, a carotenoid compound in fruits and vegetables. It’s a red-orange pigment, but also a skin protectant with anti-aging properties to mitigate oxidative stress and the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

Plus, formulated with some chemical compounds. PEG-8 (a type of polyethylene glycol) and Butylene Glycol are both used as emollients and solvents. These bring about a soft feel to the touch and prevent the ingredients from separating. Moreover, as skin penetration enhancing agents, they help active ingredients penetrate deep into the skin due to their small molecular weights. Butylene Glycol also works as a viscosity decreasing agent, thinning the product’s consistency.

However, PEG-8 is more likely to be contaminated by impurities and toxins, such as 1,4-dioxane. Folks who have very sensitive, upset skins should avoid skincare products including PEGs.

Silica and Sodium Bicarbonate (or baking soda) are versatile ingredients. They can be used as abrasives, gently polishing skin texture and getting rid of the wastes. Considered a low hazard one, Sodium Bicarbonate is also a pH adjuster or a buffer, balancing the alkaline and acidity of the product to avoid irritating skin.

Silica, a mineral found in sandstone, clay and granite, is additionally a multitasker to provide anti-caking, opacifying, absorbing, bulking and suspending activities. It absorbs excessive oil and sweat as well as controls the product’s consistency for smoothness, high coverage and good spreadability.

Glyceryl Stearate SE is a self-emulsifying form of Glyceryl Stearate, comprising a small amount of sodium and potassium stearate. As a surfactant and an emulsifier, it helps reduce the surface tension of the substances to be emulsified, integrate them in the formulation and hence, create a velvety, homogeneous texture on skin.

Ascorbyl Palmitate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate and Tocopheryl Acetate are derivatives of vitamins C and E as potent antioxidants and skin protectants. These brighten up the skin tone, decrease dullness, combat free-radicals and promote collagen synthesis, which is integral to a healthy barrier function. Also known as preservatives with anti-aging properties to keep the perils of environment from spoiling the efficacy of the product.

There is Parfum (or fragrance), a moderate to high hazard ingredient that is more likely to cause skin irritation.

Moving on to the second step, Activator. Whooo! Sounds cool, huh?

The formulation contains Lactic Acid, a naturally occurring carboxylic acid that is found in fruits, vegetables or milk. Known as one of the most popular alpha hydroxy acids to impart chemical exfoliation. It dissolves the clump of dead cells and unclogs the pores, while triggering the production of ceramides and water retention in the barrier function.

Additionally, infused with Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (vitamin C derivative). Conflating lactic acid and vitamin C tends to accelerate skin repair process as well as break down and lighten discolored patches (melasma or hyperpigmentation).

Lactic acid is less irritating than glycolic acid. However, a word of caution, it makes skin more vulnerable to sunlight. Lactic acid has shown to increase skin sensitivity to the UV rays, it’s more likely to get sunburn and other sun damage.

Besides, formulated with some other chemical compounds. Linoleamidopropyl PG-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate and Polyquaternium-10 are antistatic agents. They minimize the accumulation of electrostatic charges by the materials or their surfaces. Rather, make the surface or the material slightly conductive, either by being conductive itself or by absorbing moisture from the air, thus, some humectants can be utilized.

During cosmetic manufacturing, an electrostatic hazard can harm the product’s quality and even, cause burning and explosive accidents. Polyquaternium-10 also does its job as a thickener or a film former that gives a slick, slippery feel.

Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polysorbate 20, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil and Trideceth-9 act as emulsifiers, surfactants, binders and thickeners with low hazards. They together unify the ingredients and stabilize the formulation for a silky, homogeneous coating. Hydroxyethylcellulose is also a preservative. Some other preservatives are Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate and Sodium Dehydroacetate with mild antimicrobials and masking effects to retard the rancidity of the product.

Parfum and Limonene (citrus fruit scent) are fragrances and masking agents to decrease the product’s unpleasant odour. They are skin irritants or sensitizers.

Sodium Hydroxide is a pH adjuster or a buffer to prevent the pH of the product from messing with the skin’s acid mantle. Otherwise, it’s considered a highly alkaline ingredient that is sensitizing and corrosive to skin. Sodium Hydroxide should be used in small amounts in cosmetics.

Disodium EDTA is a chelator to bind up or isolate trace metal ions and keep them from adhering to the surface of skin. So, it works as a preservative enhancer to minimize contamination in cosmetics by starving microbes.

What else? The product is neither cruelty-free nor vegan. It claims to be non-comedogenic and non-irritating.

2. Hot, Intense Abrasiveness – Results in Clean, Super Smooth Complexion

The first step, Abrasive, gives creamy consistency with a yellowish-orange (amber) color and a quite uplifting, citrus scent. Scoop a nickel-sized dollop on my palm and rub it all over my face with fingers. Shockingly, when put on the skin’s surface, the product swiftly melts down and turns into a thinner, less viscous texture, which becomes much easier to diffuse.

You can lay it onto either dry or damp skin. I usually slather my face with the peel right after my cleansing step. Massage in a circular motion for two to three minutes, it feels instantly hot, instead of cooling and soothing. This may make you find pretty bizarre in the first place and wonder if a storm is brewing. I’m sure that it will not cause blistering and burns to skin. The heat gradually eases off within 30 to 40 seconds. It tends to be decently warm afterward.

But, you know what? The warmth gives my beloved skin some benefits by stimulating skin blood flow and relaxing muscles. While massaging, it helps tighten loose, sagging skin and promote the production of collagen and elastin. This can be a good way for the skin to repair itself.

More importantly, the product is rather jagged and gritty. It seems that the product brings about both chemical and physical exfoliation. Don’t be fooled by its yellow, moussey look. My skin is a type of combination, prone to dry and even, sensitive at times. Thus, I have to be careful to lightly scrub it around and aim for problem areas, such as the T-zone, which is more likely to get excessive oil and congestion.

Move to the second step, Activator, which is like a serum with transparent, gel-like consistency. Apply over the peel and rub them all into skin for an additional 60 seconds. Rinse off with tepid water and pat skin dry.

After all, it gives a little itchy sensation and slight redness on my cheeks, which is not really serious though, and seems to disappear after a few minutes. That can be because the abrasiveness is pretty intense. Obviously, the formulation contains many abrasive materials. But, I gotta admit that it leaves genuinely polished, silky and supple feels to the touch, in spite of post-peel fairly tight, dry sensations.

To put the goodness back into my face, I then apply my toner, serum and moisturizer. My skincare products literally go on much smoother and even, become more spreadable on the skin’s surface. I’m shook. The softness lasts quite long.

I have been using the peel for over a month. It hasn’t caused any major problems to my skin yet, such as allergies or flare-ups, even though there are still nice warm and kind of itching experience every time I rub it into skin.

Here is the result. My complexion looks snatched and plump. To me, the most flattering is that the peel is really credited with improving my congested skin. I often get comedonal acne – typically, blackheads (open comedones) and whiteheads (closed comedones). These pesky non-inflamed blemishes make my skin rough and bumpy. The product helps whisk away the chunks of dead skin cells and refine my tiny openings. It noticeably smoothes out the bumpiness and reveals a clearer, healthier looking complexion.

Speaking of whether the product actually gets rid of melasma, sun spots and hyperpigmentation or not, I think that it potentially lives up to our expectation. It does moderately brighten up my skin tone and fade some acne scars. To be frank, I have not suffered from these conditions yet, so I can not be certain that the product will work things out for everyone.

It depends on how severe your condition is. Treating discolored patches, melasma or hyperpigmentation really takes time and your patience. Aside from the exfoliant, the formulas of your serum and moisturizer are necessarily taken into account.

How often should we exfoliate skin with it? I highly recommend using it once to twice a week at night, when your skin is off-duty to absorb skincare products more effectively and switch on its repairing mode. I don’t encourage more than that, if not, you may end up with over-exfoliation. Its rough, gritty formula is more likely to create micro-tears and over time, aggravate skin damage. Not to mention that it includes lactic acid.

The topical application of lactic acid can cumulatively increase skin sensitivity to sunlight. At this rate, wearing sunscreen in the morning is indispensable. Well, I really hope that the brand can change the formulation to be gentler with itty-bitty grains and softer edges. That will be the go-to for most skin types.

Otherwise, in regard to folks who are plagued by thin, sensitive skin or inflamed blemishes, for example, papules, cysts and pustules, I will not recommend it. The product’s jagged edges may be way too harsh and dangerous for your skin, chemical exfoliants are better. And, don’t let the product get into your eyes. It’s really irritating.

3. High-Quality Packaging – Pricey

The first step is housed in a large, somewhat heavy jar (50ml/1.7 fluid ounces) taking pretty much space, whereas the second step comes in a dropper bottle (20ml/0.7 fluid ounces). The dropper applicator makes it easy and sanitary to apply by lifting off the cap and pushing down on its center to dispense the liquid from the dropper’s stem.

In terms of the jar, which comes along with a black, small spoon, placed at the bottom of the cardboard box. Use it to scoop the peel. That helps prevent your finger filth from spoiling the entire product. The Dual Phase Vitamin C Peel retails for $100. It’s sure pricey.

4. My Rating (8/10): Prefer a Gentler Formula

I’m really impressed by its softening, purging and exfoliating properties, which are very potent. But, personally, I’m into gentler facial scrubs with tiny grains or chemical exfoliants without abrasive agents can get the job done at a lower price. So, I’ll give it 8 out of 10.

Hope the review is helpful enough for you all. Please, let me know your thoughts in the comment below. I’d love to hear you out. Thank you very much for spending time on my blog! Have a wonderful day and stay beautiful!

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