Skin In The Moment — Episode 2: The Renewal
- Jul 15
- 2 min read
Last time, I talked about the essentials — the ingredients that build the foundation almost every skin needs. This episode is about the next layer of the work: renewal.
Here's how I think about it. Skin is constantly making new cells and shedding old ones — but that process slows down, gets sluggish, or gets clogged up by everything from sun exposure to stress to just time passing. Renewal ingredients are how we help that process along. And just like everything else in this series, what they do for your skin today is the same thing that protects it long term.
Clearing away what's sitting on the surface right now is what keeps tone even and pores clear before dullness or congestion has a chance to build up. This isn't about "fixing" anything — it's about supporting a process your skin already knows how to do.

Episode 2: The Renewal
Glycolic Acid (AHA)
Right now: exfoliates dead surface cells so skin looks brighter and feels smoother almost immediately.
Long term: consistent surface renewal keeps pores clearer and evens tone before dullness has a chance to build up.
ALICIA'S PICK
Salicylic Acid (BHA)
Right now: gets down into clogged pores and calms today's breakouts.
Long term: regular use keeps pores from re-clogging, which means fewer breakouts — and less scarring — down the road.
ALICIA'S PICK
Lactic Acid
Right now: gently resurfaces sensitive or reactive skin without the irritation stronger acids can cause.
Long term: gradual, gentle renewal builds tolerance and texture improvement without compromising the barrier.
ALICIA'S PICK
Enzymes (Papaya & Pineapple)
Right now: lift away dulling debris for an instant brightness boost, even on delicate skin.
Long term: a gentler path to consistent renewal for the skin that can't tolerate frequent acids.
ALICIA'S PICK
Polyhydroxy Acids (PHAs)
Right now: exfoliate and hydrate at the same time, ideal for skin that's both congested and sensitive.
Long term: renewal without the irritation cycle means you can stay consistent — and consistency is what actually changes skin.
One thing I always tell clients: more isn't better here. Over-exfoliating is one of the fastest ways to compromise the very barrier we're trying to protect. The goal is matching the right renewal ingredient to what your skin can actually handle right now — not maxing out every acid at once because it sounds effective.
Every face tells a different story, and that includes how much renewal it can take on any given week.
ALICIA'S PICK
Next up, Episode 3: The Shield — the ingredients that protect what you've already built.
— Alicia
Beauty by Alicia · Old Town Scottsdale







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