In a giving mood today! So I figure it’s high time for another product giveaway. This month it is for a FREE bottle of Break Free fruit acid gel. This product can be used safely on all skin types and it is a fantastic “at home peel”. Break Free is comprised of glycolic, pyruvic and lactic acids which basically eat away at the glue that is hanging on to the dead skin cells on your face. Sounds a little icky I know, but the results are amazing. Your skin looks fresh and renewed.

The best part about Break Free is that it is a serious product – it’s far superior to many of the typical glycolic or other chemical peels you’ll find in a store. Break Free has a 7.5% concentration, with a pH between 1 and 2 it is unbuffered. Why does all of this matter? Well most of the products you’ll find are buffered and have higher pH levels which means they are less effective. Break Free is the perfect combination of having just the right levels so that it is incredibly effective, but also safe to use at home.

So you can use Break Free and save zillions of dollars (ok that might be a slight exaggeration) over dermatologist peel treatments, and get fantastic results right at home. Peels not only help your skin look smoother and younger but with continued use they also help to even skin tone, unclog pores and reduce any pigmentation issues you might have. And if you suffer from breakouts? It’s one of the best solutions for maintaining clear skin.

We typically suggest that if you have normal to oily skin you should use Break Free 1 to 3 times per week and leave it on for 1 to 3 minutes each time (depending on your tolerance). If your skin is dry or sensitive you can start by using it once per week or once every other week and build up from there.

It is vital to remember, however, if you use any kind of exfoliator, that you are extra careful with your sun exposure. You need to be fully protected because you are exposing the more sensitive layers of skin to the sun. So just be sure to be deligent with your sun screen!

Now for the good part - one lucky winner will get a full sized 4 oz bottle of Break Free for FREE. HURRY – the contest ends Tuesday, August 4th.

Here’s what you need to do to enter:

Go to www.gardengirlskincare.com an answer these questions, then email the answers to contest@gardengirlskincare.com:

1) What is the name of the customer who said “I want to tell you how much I love your products. I do have very sensitive skin and many “natural” products, like Aveda tend to irritate. I have been using my Oasis for Faces, plus toner since I received them and my skin looks and feels wonderful.”

2) What is Garden Girl’s mission? (you can cut/paste)

3) Name 2 beauty blogs or magazines that have featured Garden Girl reviews

Have FUN!!! And don’t forget to submit your entry by Tuesday August 4th!

I am going to try to do a mini-series of informational bits on ingredients that we use in Garden Girl products. This way you can get a better understanding of why they are used and how they benefit your skin. So to kick it off, I thought I’d start with AHA’s.

AHA’s – or alpha hydroxyacids – are commonly found in skin care products. AHA is a group of acids often referred to as “fruit acids.” While there are many types, they all are generally used to treat hyperpigmentation, damaged skin and acne.

The beauty of AHAs is that they improve your skin with little effort needed on your part! They exfoliate dead skin which in turn helps to unclog pores, keep skin smooth and clear, and reduce fine lines and wrinkles (yes please!). Further, there is the added bonus that in doing so – they actually help to improve skin’s hydration. They have natural moisturizing properties and activate your skin’s own hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid then is able to retain more moisture in your skin.

Some typical AHA’s include:

Glycolic Acid (found in At Long Last, Break Free and Nature Nurture) which is sourced from sugar cane juice
Lactic Acid (found in Break Free) which is sourced from sour milk
Malic Acid (found in Nature Nurture) which is found in apples
Tartaric Acid which comes from grapes and wine
Citric Acid (found in Nature Nurture) which comes from lemons, limes, pineapples, oranges and other fruits
Pyruvic Acid (found in Break Free) is derived from tartaric acid

Glycolic and Lactic acids are thought to be the most effective for use in skincare and can be safely used in cosmetic products at a rate of no higher than 10%. Generally, AHA’s can be safe for all skin types, but people with sensitive skin should test the products on their skin before they use them.

So go ahead – embrace those AHAs. Your skin will be glad you did!