ByKat Hours Updated
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Coffee Break: Peeling Solution

So I'm late to the game on this one, but The Ordinary's AHA 30% + BHA 2% peeling solution is awesome, especially for $7.20. I would put it as comparable to Drunk Elephant's Babyfacial (still love it) or Sunday Riley's Good Genes (still love it), but I use them all differently (and relatively sparingly; none of them are in my daily routine).

The Ordinary's peeling solution is a 10-minute mask (10 minutes MAXIMUM) — it's super super powerful, and I've even seen articles on how to “fix” your skin if you've left it on too long. If I have a few easy tasks to do before a shower I'll slap this solution on dry skin, set the timer on my watch, and go fold some laundry or change the sheets. The solution comes out slightly red and sticky. Then I hop in the shower before the timer goes off, rinse it off my face with warm water, and go about the rest of my shower routine.

Babyfacial and Good Genes, comparatively, are MUCH more expensive — $80–$115, although you can often find both in value sets of other products from the brands). Babyfacial has a 20-minute max, so it needs a bit more time to do its work. It's relatively gentle, though — I once accidentally left it on for 90 minutes (whoops) and didn't suffer any negative consequences aside from a bit of stinging. (Ooh, and Sephora has a “mini” 0.5 oz. version on sale right now for $28.)

Good Genes (with lactic acid) can be used as a mask if you've got sensitive skin, but it's more often used as an overnight treatment (I don't put it on the same night as I use my retinol, though), or if it's a wintry/work-from-home kind of day I might put it on.

All three will make your skin more sensitive to the sun, though, so — as always — protect your skin. (I'll put some of our favorite products for sun protection below.)

The Ordinary's peeling solution is $7.20 at Sephora and elsewhere; it's vegan and silicone free. Read the instructions well before use; you may also want to patch test.

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Don't forget sun protection (especially face, hands, and chest)! Sunscreens readers have loved over the years are pictured above: Elta MD, Supergoop!, and Kat's latest favorite sunscreen. Don't forget a sunscreen stick for your purse! If you're hunting for cute rash guards, check out J.Crew, Boden, Coolibar, and Athleta.

sunscreen in white container with pink top from brand MISSHA
Missha
Elta MD Sunscreen
EltaMD
Supergoop Play Sunscreen
Supergoop!

Sales of note for 12.5

Sales of note for 12.5

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75 Comments

  1. I’d like to try this, but I’m not willing to stop using tretinoin long enough to desensitize my skin. :(

    1. I do not recommend the ordinary one at all for someone using tretinoin, and people tend to abuse it by leaving it on too long or using it too often. But the Good Genes one is great honestly. I also use tret and I don’t have to stop in order to use Good Genes. I just use it in place of my tret every once in a while – less often than once per week. I really do see a difference when I get up in the morning.

      I am kind of all in on k skincare but I haven’t found a k dupe for good genes that actually works as well.

  2. We got our rising middle schooler a phone — if school starts, she will get there and back via a bus across the city from us. During the school year, I imagine that this will ride in a backpack pocket. During the winter, coats have pockets. In the summer though, I think maybe it is purse time (for period supplies, sunscreen stick, some money, etc.). What do kids carry these days? With our schools staying closed this year, no one really knows. My sample size of 3 eight-graders yields some Kavu rope bags (where do they sell those?) and one small fashion-type backpack. A trip to the mall unearthed no Kavu bags and nothing of interest; no interest in shopping further, so I think I get to pick something reasonably-priced to get (I’d be OK inheriting one of these if no interest).

    1. When we got our daughter a phone, we executed a written technology use agreement that included provisions for safe transport of the phone (no pants pockets, etc.).

      If she’s old enough to have a phone, she is old enough to pick out some sort of purse or belt pack to carry it in. If she’s not interested in picking something out, then she’s not interested in having a phone.

    2. I got my niece a mini Le sport Sac backpack. She uses it like a purse all the time.

    3. Wow this is a lot of unnecessary drama and stress. She’s plenty old enough to decide for herself. In summer if she’s out and about without you she can easily use a backpack.

      1. I think this is the same person who is always freaking about where to buy her daughters clothes and shoes, about math, and about the fact that colleges are dropping the SATs.

        1. Also what specific shoes, coat, umbrella etc. to use for walking the dog, going to the mail box etc. – lots of worry about projecting the wrong vibe by wearing the wrong brand back last summer when most dog walkers were in pajamas and crocs.

    6. My son carries his phone in his backpack.

      In the same vein, what about Epi pens? I think it would also go in a backpack?

      1. In the school year, our city’s middle and high school kids carry chrome books, binders, books, and gym clothes every day on the bus, plus lunch maybe. That backpack seems too big for just a phone and personal supplies for weekends / summers. I’d get something smaller unless they need something also for pool gear where a daily driver bag would be larger and with a water-proof pocket for the phone and other things.

    7. Just got my middle schooler a Lululemon Easy Access Crossbody bag (clearance color, so it was <$30) for this exact purpose. She's more sporty than girly and it's slim enough that she can toss it in her backpack on school days. REI is a good source for Kavu bags.

    8. I have a kid this age, and I think yours is going to have opinions about this. I’d let her pick.

      1. That’s what I was thinking, I definitely would have wanted to pick this out myself.

      2. Yes. I think aside from the budget (and veto power over clothing for special occasions), my parents gave zero input on my clothing choices by middle school. Let her pick!

    10. Let her pick out her bag! Give her a budget ($30 should be plenty) and let her go to the mall or browse online

      Feels like this is being over-thought!

    11. I know I am making some assumptions here, but sometimes when a parent is too involved in decisions like this, the kid feels disempowered and abdicates their role in decision-making to the parent. You might want to take a look at patterns in your parenting to consider if this is what is happening. (Note: This dynamic is not exclusive to parent-child relationships, so if you find it there, you might look at other relationships, too.)

    12. I gave my now-13-year-old one of my old Kate Spade small crossbodies when she was 12, and it’s served her very well. She’s not super into fashion though, so YMMV. But, consider shopping your own closet if you have older bags you aren’t carrying.

    1. Aw, thanks for asking!

      It was AMAZING!! Seriously we just fell in love with the place. When I was a little girl I was very into all things geological, so Little Geologist Senior Attorney was in seventh heaven with the geysers (fun fact: the original geyser is in Iceland and is named Geysir and the name became the generic term in most languages) and waterfalls and bubbling hot springs and crazy lava rock formations. And puffins — so cute!! The people are fab, the food was surprisingly good (give or take the fermented shark: DO NOT RECOMMEND!!!!), and for once in my life I packed perfectly for the weather. Temps were high 50s for the high and high 40s for the low, and I wore leggings or fleece tights and silk long undershirts under travel pants and lightweight merino wool sweaters, with my down vest every minute supplemented when necessary with down jacket and/or raincoat. And hiking boots.

      Very very fun — highly recommend, especially now when tourism is just starting to pick up and it’s not at all crowded.

      1. I love Iceland. Cannot wait to go back. Pretty much my ideal weather. Never more than mid-60s, perfection.

        Golden Circle is so neat. I loved Gullfoss, thought it was stunning. I also really liked, in a morbid way, seeing the drowning pool at Thingvellir (and being able to see the European plate from the North American plate, I was thrilled).

        Did you go to Blue Lagoon?

        If you go back (or to anyone who’s going), hike/climb a glacier! I hiked/climbed Solheimajokull and it is on the top 5 things of things I’ve ever done. I felt so accomplished when I got back to Reykjavik that night.

      1. Oh, and we went to Iceland and stayed in Reykjavik with day trips to Golden Circle and South Coast. I guess I should say that…

  4. This stuff is not for dark skin or sensitive skin. You will be left burned with possible scarring. If you fall into those categories and really want to use it, consult your derm, but I’ve heard nothing but horror stories.

    1. I feel this way about most exfoliating products. I have sensitive skin and do not want to risk making things worse. I’ll take a few more fine lines over having a burned epidermis, but ymmv.

    2. FWIW, I have sensitive skin and use this product twice a month. It’s supposed to be put on lightly and only left on for 10 minutes. Following those instructions, I’ve never had a reaction. I have read that people who put it on too thick and leave it on too long are the ones with issues. At the end of the day, it’s a know your skin thing and at the very least, test a spot before doing it on your whole face.

      1. ^ This. Follow the instructions. I can not stress enough how important it is for your skin to be completely 100% dry before you put this on. That’s the number 1 common denominator in all the horror stories I hear: damp skin + strong products like this don’t mix. I’ve been careful about that, amount, and the time I leave it on and I’ve had no problems. But my skin is also built like a tank–I’ve been cheeky and left it on deep, clogged pore pimples overnight with no problems (don’t do this, it could have ended badly but my skin really just doesn’t care what I put on it [for better or worse]).

  5. Semi on-topic, I think I have melasma, although I can’t get in to the derm until next month. It looks like I have light bruising or a dirt patch on each side of my face (which is so fun, I can tell you). Has anyone else dealt with this? The only products I use are the Ordinary’s azaleic acid, the squalane cleanser, and moisturizer and I also put on sunscreen before I go outside. I wear a hat most of the time outside as well. No kids (I’ve heard it’s common in pregnancy).

    1. Yup, I have it (derm diagnosed) and it’s commonly caused by birth control pills. The sun protection keeps it from getting worse, but it doesn’t fade without intervention – I’ve tried peels, lasers, bleaching cream, etc.

    2. I also had what I assume was melasma (never spoke to a doctor about it) during pregnancy, concentrated around the eyes/cheeks. I was also carefull with sunscreen and hats etc before and after birth. I found it faded in the first 6 mths post-partum, without doing anything about it. (Although I returned to using Paula’s Choice BHA toner after I gave birth.)

    3. Yes, I got it from birth control pills. For me it was on my forehead. It sounds like you are doing all the right things…. For me, the unfortunate truth is that it slooooowly faded away for about a year or so after I stopped taking hormonal birth control. I wish I had something better to offer. Also…..I have no idea if these things are related, but in case they are, in addition to getting melasma I would feel nauseous on birth control pills.

  6. Workplace COVID drama . . .

    A and B live together (roommates, not romantically) and commute together in a car. B has the Delta variant of COVID per testing. A is fully-vaccinated and wants to keep working in the office (and has been coming into the office). I don’t think that A has even gotten tested (which maybe makes sense, since even with a negative test A and B are still breathing the same air).

    1. If A isn’t going to bother doing anything helpful or get tested or accept remote work for now, I with A would STFU and leave us out of it.
    1.5 Or maybe HR could grow a spine and say for A to get tested or work from home for 2-ish weeks.
    2. How many of the rest of us who are in contact with A need to get tested and also when? I sort of think that perpetual testing a la the Yankees wouldn’t be a bad idea for everyone back in the office to do.

    1. Since A is vaccinated as long as they are asymptomatic the CDC does not recommend testing or quarantine. Same for the rest of the people in the office.

      1. Yes, I think is the correct answer.

        Now if I were A, I would use this as an excuse to work from home, but there is nothing that HR must do. The only reason to test is if you came into contact with B and you have symptoms now.

    2. I feel like the CDC’s recommendations for household contacts are confusing. On their quarantine page, updated in March, they say you don’t have to quarantine at all if you are vaccinated. But on their page about caring for a household member with COVID, updated this month, they say you should quarantine except for limited circumstances. Household contacts are astronomically more likely to get COVID than casual contacts. Your coworker sucks for refusing to stay home, but I would control what you can control and work remotely yourself for the next 14 days. I would also make a point of explaining why you are doing so!

    3. Since A is vaccinated nothing they are doing is wrong and no one else needs to get tested.

  7. For professionals paid only on collections – how do you balance being a “good firm citizen”? I was recently promoted to partner (no guaranteed salary). I am a younger partner and have some IT background. Our firm is upgrading tech this year and next year and I am finding myself on dozens of emails and meetings (we have a five- person IT team, a full time salaried Firm Manager, and a managing partner committee who receive a stipend).

    I want my firm to have good tech and am appalled at the lack of competence within the IT staff we have, but I’m on track to spend over 250 hours this year on these projects. Is there a way I can scale this back? I have suggested a consultant and replacing 1-2 staff but have gotten nowhere. I’m sick of working for free but also don’t want to burn bridges since it’s my first year. My sense is committee and project hours vary widely depending on the topic.

    1. I don’t think 250 is high for partner non-billable. I would use this involvement as a shield against taking on any other non-billable appointments (the phrasing is “I would love to be on the hiring committee, but I am currently maxed out with the IT project, let’s circle back next year.”)

      1. I appreciate your perspective – any idea what normal is for you? This is just firm time for me (not marketing) – most other partners at my firm are reporting about 50 firm-related non billable hours to date so it’s looking skewed to me. But maybe they aren’t reporting, maybe everyone has a year like this early, etc.

        1. Interesting. We ask partners to do firm work and marketing and to record both. This is in line with what we expect. Your firm may not have the culture of actually recording this time. Is there someone you can ask?

  8. Inspired by the weekend post by someone who didn’t understand Poshmark.
    It’s hard to admit this for feeling stupid, but I don’t understand Instagram. There are “posts”, but also “reels” and “story”. I understand a regular post and “Live” but not reels and story. It also seems to open up in selfie mode, is it for video only? Also when I’m looking at others’ posts there are some that disappear quickly and are hard to navigate back to. I promise I am not a dinosaur or a visitor from another planet.

    1. Unlike posts, stories only stay up for 24 hours. They are displayed across the top of the app as opposed to scrolling through your feed to view posts. For stories, you can change the camera so it’s not in selfie mode. If you view someone’s profile you can see all their posts. If you click on their profile picture you can view any active stories.

      I’m not sure about reels. I think it’s IG’s way of imitating TikTok.

    2. If you’re in your main feed, it’s irritating, because the Insta algorithm shows you some posts higher up than others even though they’re not in chrono order, and once you’ve seen something once in your main feed, Insta hides it below the “you’re all caught up, see older posts” button — if you just keep scrolling and ignore that, you get pushed into a bunch of accounts that are similar to those you follow or interact with.

      Stories only stay up for 24 hours max, unless you take them down earlier of course. You watch those by tapping the circle with the pink-orange ring around it (either at the top of the person’s individual page, or at the top of your home screen).

      I ignore Reels altogether as I find them annoying.

      1. I believe a reel is like a longer story that you want to keep around. You can put a very quick video in a regular post but if you want to do a whole involved thing, you do it in a reel – I say this as someone who has never posted a reel but I watch others’ reels – mainly @salihughes

  9. Well I just signed up for a grown up gymnastics class. Is this what a mid-life crisis feels like?

    1. I had a midlife crisis where I tried pole dancing (for exercise), burlesque dancing (also for exercise) and also took a few sessions of a trapeze class. There are worse midlife crises to have, to be sure.

    3. That is awesome! We have been all in on new experiences, and ended up adding open water swimming and snowshoeing to our repertoire. Go easy on anything that requires a back arch.

    6. That sounds amazing! Please report back. I love when adults try things like that.

    8. I did tumbling for a couple of years pre-kid (early thirties) and love it! I should try it again but feel a bit creaky. It is amazing for your core.

    9. My midlife crisis is envious that your midlife crisis could find an adult gymnastics class. Gyms around us don’t offer them. My midlife crisis has already checked. It would really like to take figure skating lessons but my husband’s midlife crisis is not as fun as mine and says that money needs to go to our 401Ks.

      1. Do it! Figure skating lessons don’t have to break the bank. The sport is $$$$ because competitive figure skaters have 10-20 hours of semi-private ice time per week, plus several hours of coaching with top coaches, plus summer camps and workshops with even more VIP coaches and expensive costumes, equipment and entrance fees and travel costs to go to competitions. At a local public rink, you can probably find a decent instructor who charges $20-25 an hour, and if you want one half hour lesson a week (normal for a beginner) that’s pretty affordable for most people.
        -former figure skater

    11. This is so cool! I took adult ballet and loved it. It’s a surprisingly good workout and (for me at least) the only exercise-related thing I’ve ever done that was fun and not a chore. Unfortunately my instructor moved out of state and there are no classes within a 50 mile radius of me now. I might try a virtual class…

  10. I had a sprinting-type of running question recently and thanks for all responses. What was helpful to me was to go to a track and run the lengths and walk the turns. Running in perpetuity is just something my body does not want to do. This, however, works. I’ve done it 2x (thanks, rain!), but it has been fun. My current sneakers are trail runners that are mainly for trails (weekends) and walking the dog (5K/day). If there is a type of sneaker more suited to what I’m doing, that will be the replacement (I’m about due). When I play tennis, I wear tennis sneakers that I don’t otherwise wear, so I’m OK with the idea that some sports need their own shoe. I’m not thinking cleats, just maybe I don’t need so much padding on the heel (or maybe I do).

  11. Lap swim suits with coverage? Any suggestions for lap swim suits that are sporty but have good coverage? I tried on my old Speedo and the cutouts were really unflattering.

    1. Looks like Land’s End has lots of options and good coverage on their one pieces. And both long torso and petite suits.

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