Just because you’re called The Sunscreen Company, it doesn’t mean that you only have to stick to making sunscreen. You can also make products that fight all the nasty side effects of sun exposure, like dark spots, for example. Case in point: Cyberderm Exfoliant Reveal (by The Sunscreen Company) does just that. It’s loaded with glycolic acid, a powerful exfoliant that can fade away dark spots and fine lines. Here’s how it fares:
What’s In Cyberderm Exfoliant Reveal?
GLYCOLIC ACID TO EXFOLIATE SKIN
If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you know I’m having a fling with glycolic acid at the moment. It wooed me because:
- It brightens and smoothens skin: It dissolves the glue that holds dead skin cells together, so they can slough off.
- It hydrates skin: Like a magnet, it attracts moisture from the environment into the skin.
- It boost collagen production: It keeps skin firm, preventing premature sagging and wrinkling (but only in high concentrations).
All exfoliating acids can get rid of dead cells like that, but GA is one of the very few that go the extra mile. Its moisture-magnet and collagen-boosting properties make it a must for dry or sun-damaged skin.
The catch? Too much exfoliation irritates skin and GA isn’t the gentle acid out there, anyway. Moderation is the key word here. Once your skin has gotten used to its new friend, you can try using it daily. Until then, meet up only a couple of times a week. At night. This stuff makes skin more susceptible to UV rays and the damage they cause.
Related: The Complete Guide To Glycolic Acid: What It Is, What It Does, And How To Use It
Need help creating an anti-aging routine that really works? Sign up to the newsletter below to receive the “Anti-Aging Skincare Routine Cheatsheet” (it includes product recommendations, too!).
The Rest Of The Formula & Ingrdients
NOTE: The colours indicate the effectiveness of an ingredient. It is ILLEGAL to put toxic and harmful ingredients in skincare products.
- Green: It’s effective, proven to work, and helps the product do the best possible job for your skin.
- Yellow: There’s not much proof it works (at least, yet).
- Red: What is this doing here?!
- Aqua: This is just fancy skincare talk for water! It’s the base that dissolves all the other ingredients and helps them spread on your skin.
- PVP: This is a film-forming ingredient that helps the product stick to your skin better and gives it a nice texture – think of it like a binding agent that keeps everything together.
- Arginine: This is an amino acid that helps balance out the pH of the product so the glycolic acid doesn’t totally wreck your skin’s natural barrier – it’s like the peacekeeper that makes sure things don’t get too harsh.
- Caprylhydroxamic Acid: This is a preservative and chelating agent, which basically means it keeps bacteria from growing in the product and helps stabilize the formula so it doesn’t go bad.
- Caprylyl Glycol: Another preservative that also acts as a humectant (draws moisture to your skin) and gives the product a silky feel – it’s like a multitasker doing double duty.
- Glycerin: This is a humectant superstar that pulls moisture from the air into your skin and keeps it hydrated, which is super important when you’re using acids that can be drying.
Texture
Tthis is crazy lightweight – like you squeeze it out, rub it on your face, and it’s literally just absorbed. Gone. No waiting around, no sticky grossness, nothing. It’s honestly kind of satisfying how fast it just disappears into your skin.
Fragrance
No smell at all, which honestly thank god because adding fragrance to an acid would be so dumb. Like your skin’s already dealing with the glycolic doing its thing, why would you throw perfume in there too? It’s just clean and neutral, which is exactly what you want.
How To Use It
So you use this like two or three times a week, not every night – don’t be a hero about it. Just wash your face first, make sure it’s dry, then put this on. After that you definitely want to moisturize because acids can be kinda drying. Oh and wear sunscreen the next day, this is not negotiable. Acids make you burn like crazy in the sun and I don’t want you coming back to me with a fried face.
Packaging
It’s a white tube with a pump on top. Super simple, looks clean, does the job. The pump is honestly the best part because you’re not sticking your fingers in it and contaminating everything. Just press, get your product, done. It looks decent enough that you won’t want to hide it in a drawer, and it’s easy to use even when you’re half asleep.
Performance & Personal Opinion
Cyberderm Exfoliant Reveal 8% Glycolic Acid Treatment has a super lightweight, clear consistency that dries quickly onto your skin. I apply it before going to bed and, when I wake up in the morning, my skin is all smoothed out.
My fine lines look smaller. My skin feels softer all over. My complexion has taken on a radiant glow. In other words, it does everything a glycolic acid exfoliant is supposed to do. I don’t have any pesky dark spots at the moment, but if you do, this’ll help fade them faster, too. Needless to say, the more you use it, the better the results. But, don’t overdo it. That’ll just turn you into an irritated lobster!
Related: How Often Can You Exfoliate With Glycolic Acid?
What I Like About Cyberderm Exfoliant Reveal 8% Glycolic Acid Treatment
- It actually works – like you wake up and your skin genuinely looks smoother and more glowy, not just in your head
- The texture is so easy to work with – none of that thick, goopy nonsense that takes forever to sink in
- No fragrance means my skin doesn’t freak out, which is huge for me
- The pump packaging is just smart – hygienic and you don’t waste product
- It does all the things glycolic acid should do without being dramatic about it – smaller fine lines, softer skin, brighter complexion, the whole deal
- It’ll fade dark spots if you’ve got them, which is a nice bonus
What I DON’T Like About Cyberderm Exfoliant Reveal 8% Glycolic Acid Treatment
- You can only use it a few times a week, not every night – if you’re impatient like me, that’s annoying
- You absolutely have to wear sunscreen the next day or you’re screwed, which adds an extra step you can’t skip
- If you overdo it even a little, your skin will punish you – there’s not much room for error
- It can be drying, so you need a good moisturizer on hand or your face will feel tight and angry
Who Should Use This?
If your skin looks dull and boring, or you’ve got those annoying fine lines creeping in, or your face just feels rough and textured – this is for you. Got dark spots? Yeah, this’ll help with those too. Basically if you want smoother, glowier skin without doing like ten different steps, grab this.
Just don’t if your skin is super sensitive and flips out at everything. And you need to actually be good about wearing sunscreen because acids and sun do NOT mix – like I’m serious, you will regret it if you skip that part.
Does Cyberderm Exfoliant Reveal Live Up To Its Claims?
| CLAIM | TRUE? |
|---|---|
| Our Exfoliant Reveal is made of 8% glycolic acid that is effective at helping to unglue these cells and expose the new living ones below. | True. |
| It can be used as weekly treatment or if used alone—daily. | I don’t recommend you exfoliate daily. It can be irritating and dry out skin. |
| Dull, rough or dry skin becomes smoother, softer and begins to glow. | True. |
| When used in combination with other targeted treatment products, it can enhance the absorption of other active ingredients into the skin. | True, but any exfoliant does this. |
| It is also beneficial for those suffering from mild acne. | True, but it’s not as effective as salicylic acid for acne. |
Price & Availability
$47.00 CAD at The Sunscreen Company
Do You Need It?
If you’re looking for a glycolic acid exfoliant, this is a good option to consider.
Aqua, Glycolic Acid, PVP, Arginine, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin.
About Gio
Hi, I’m Gio. I’m a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever – every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what’s worth the splurge and what’s best left on the shelf – using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.
