Alpha Hydrox and Chicken Skin

Yes, I know. I am an AHA whore.

I started using Alpha Hydrox products about 14 years ago; specifically, their 12% AHA Foot & Problem Cream. I discovered that it worked wonders on my chicken skin, aka keratosis pilaris, or KP.

Quick background on KP: KP is often found on the backs of arms and on the front of thighs and look like tiny red or white bumps. They can also appear on your butt and back. It's sometimes mistaken for an allergy, acne or eczema, though it is not related to those conditions. KP is not contagious, nor does it threaten your health in any way. An estimated 50% of people have some form of this skin condition, though most don't know that they have it or that it can be treated. It is hereditary and there is no cure for it. (Source)

From what I've learned, there are several forms of KP, some of which are treatable with regularly applied, deeply emollient moisturizers that contain salicylic acid, lactic acid, and/or urea that help break down the keratin deposits that causes that sandpapery feeling. My dermatologist prescribed a lactic acid lotion that contained urea (I believe it was AmLactin 12% and was available only by prescription in those days) which worked like a charm. For the first time in my life, arms and legs were bump-free. Yay me!

Except I smelled like stale cat pee.

While in a funk about smelling like an unscooped litter box, I heard the hullabaloo about the newish Alpha Hydrox product line and went to the nearest drugstore to investigate. I picked up a tube of the 12% AHA Foot & Problem Cream, intent on making over my tootsies. I squirted out a little too much cream and rubbed the excess into the skin on my thigh. The next day, the skin where I'd used the excess cream was noticeably smoother, less rough and less bumpy! For several months, I used that cream for my arms and legs, and I didn't smell like old cat pee!

Unfortunately, I was earning almost nothing at the time (some things don't change) and could not afford to spend what seemed like a LOT of money for a mere two ounces of product. After a while, I stopped buying AHA products and somehow forgot about them. Until now.

Because I am now in an extremely tight cash crunch, I have had to give up my beloved but very expensive DDF habit to go back to the drugstore stuff. I still have the Ultra-Lite Moisturizing Dew, but am saving what's left of it for the summer when it gets disgustingly humid and I need a lighter moisturizer.

I purchased the Alpha Hydrox Enhanced Cream 10% Glycolic AHA Anti-Wrinkle cream earlier this week, and yes, it is kinda tingly but it does moisturize pretty well. Maybe it's because my skin is a little drier now that I am getting older, but I feel like I can tolerate more emollient lotions. Well, I am HOPING I can tolerate them! Either way, I am lucky that it is oil-free and fragrance-free.

As for the chicken skin/KP, I found that when I slathered on good old Eucerin Original Moisturizing Lotion right after my shower, the bumps disappeared within a week. The thrilling part of it is that I no longer need to buy expensive unguents that make me smell bad because I've finally found something that works perfectly! And the nice thing is that I can add scent to the lotion if I'm so inclined! No more eau de cat box!

In the meantime, I'll keep you updated on my progress with the Alpha Hydrox Enhanced Cream 10% Glycolic AHA Anti-Wrinkle cream. (Wow, try saying that three times fast!)