Smoother, Brighter, Spot-free Skin: Here’s How I Achieved It Using Exfoliating Peel Pads

For those of us with melanin-rich skin (read brown skin), our biggest concern seems to be acne, closely followed by hyperpigmentation. I am no different. Though consistent skincare has left my skin more or less clear, I still have acne scars, pigmentation and some discolouration that refuses to go. Being a beauty editor, it’s kind of my job to try out new products we launch, and when Mama Cica Instabright Peel Pads came to me, I was super excited to try these out.

This is a fairly new concept in India. So let me show you what they are. These round cotton exfoliating face pads are soaked in glycolic acid, papaya extract, cica and Korean ginseng and many more cool ingredients. The glycolic acid is an AHA that gently sloughs off dead skin cells while papaya extracts unclog pores, increases skin cell turnover and lighten dark spots. Cica, Korean ginseng and lotus root soothe the skin and prevent irritation. It comes with 2 sides – one has microgrids which add the element of mechanical exfoliation, while the other side is smoother for gentler exfoliation.

Glycolic acid is the gold standard of exfoliation. It dissolves the bonds between dead skin cells, basically dissolving them. In this process, it also dissolves excess sebum and any remaining dirt. When there isn’t a layer of dead skin cells covering your face, it automatically looks brighter and smoother.

Read Here: How To Use Exfoliating Peel Pads For Brighter, Smoother And Glowing Skin

What do the Mama Cica Instabright Peel Pads do? 

While the term ‘peel pads’ may sound very scary and harsh, there’s nothing scary about these. While there are traditional peels you could opt for at your dermat’s clinic, they do tend to leave skin scaly, itchy and red before getting better. I usually avoid physical exfoliators since they can cause micro-tears in the skin, compromising the skin barrier. I didn’t have to worry about that with these peel pads. With these, my skin feels smoother, brighter and softer with just a few swipes, which is great because I have sensitive skin and I tend to err on the side of caution when it comes to any exfoliating products.

If you look for peeling solutions, more often than not, they require some downtime. You sit with it for 10-15 minutes to see a difference. These show an instant difference! Plus, the tub comes with 45 double-sided peel pads, which last me for 45 days since I use one each day. While these are gentle enough to be used twice a day, my skin is sensitive, so I stick to using them once a day. Let me show you my routine and how I use these exfoliating face pads.

Step 1: 

Whenever I wear makeup or sunscreen, I like to double cleanse using the Mon Cherry Dirt Dissolving Balm. This is one product I swear by. It feels super luxe on my skin and leaves it feeling soft, clean and nourished. I follow it up with a gel-based cleanser to complete my double cleanse.

Step 2: 

After patting my skin dry, I take one pad out of the jar and swipe it all over my face and neck. I use the smoother side on my face and the textured side on my neck. I use a light hand and sweep it all over my face and neck until the pad starts feeling dry. I instantly see a difference in my skin. It feels smoother to the touch, it’s brighter and over time, I can see my dark spots reducing.

Step 3: 

Since these don’t require rinsing, I follow it up with my trusted essence to soothe and settle my skin. I usually take a few drops and press it into my skin until absorbed.

Step 4: 

While my skin is still slightly damp from the essence, I take a few drops of the Bravocado Intense Brightening Serum and press it into my skin until fully absorbed. Since it is so lightweight and runny, it doesn’t take more than a few seconds to soak into my skin.

Step 5: 

Here’s where I seal it all in with this unique gel-to-water moisturizer, Mon Cherry Ultra-Light Moisturizing Gel. A pea-sized amount goes a long, long way. I massage it into my skin in gentle, upward motions and my skin loves it. I am left with soft, smooth, supple skin.

Read Here: The 3-Second Korean Beauty Moisturizing Rule You Need To Know About

Step 6: 

Now, if I am planning to step out, I follow the moisturizer with an SPF 50 sunscreen. This is the most important step of the routine as sunscreen protects you from skin cancer, pigmentation, signs of ageing and protects your delicate skin barrier from harmful UV rays. Plus, using any exfoliating acid, like glycolic acid, makes your skin more sensitive to the sun, so don’t skip this step! 

Also, if you’re using an AHA like glycolic acid, make sure you don’t mix it with other harsh skincare actives like retinoids. Avoid using it with vitamin C too, as vitamin C is highly unstable and can mess up the pH of your skin if mixed with the wrong ingredients, rendering it useless. Instead, try mixing it with hydrating actives like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and ceramides. 

Read Here: AHAs Vs BHAs: What Acids Should You Include In Your Skincare?

So, all in all, if you want brighter, smoother skin, you could give these peel pads a try. They’re great for using before a big event where you’d wear makeup as it goes on a lot smoother. However, I recommend doing a patch test before committing to it!