July in NYC. My skin looked like a greasy pepperoni pizza — and felt worse. I grabbed Tula‘s So Clean Resurfacing Serum out of pure desperation.
Here’s the thing nobody tells you: most “summer-safe” exfoliators either do nothing or fry your moisture barrier. This one somehow avoids both traps.
It’s a retinol-alternative serum — $42 at Sephora. Claims to resurface without the dreaded purge phase. I called bullshit until week two.
10% Polyhydroxy Acid
Gently exfoliates without stinging — even on my pissed-off chin zits
Azelaic Acid Derivative
Fades red marks from old breakouts without bleaching your pillowcases
Probiotic Complex
Keeps the good bacteria alive so your skin doesn’t freak out
Photo: ibnu ihza / Unsplash
No retinol, no irritation. The PHA is the star — it’s the gentle cousin that actually shows up. And the squalane? Smarter than you think.
- PHA (Gluconolactone): Buffs off dead skin without the burn
- Azelaic Acid: Targets redness like a heat-seeking missile
- Squalane: Hydrates without clogging — even in 90% humidity
- Probiotics: Calms the chaos, weirdly enough
Photo: Fleur Kaan / Unsplash
Gel-like. Slightly tacky for 20 seconds, then disappears like it was never there. No stickiness to attract subway grime — major win.
Week two, I woke up with a tiny whitehead. Almost rage-quit. But by week three? Skin felt like a peach — not glass-smooth fake, but genuinely softer. The kind of soft you can’t stop touching.
My forehead texture? Gone. The hormonal zit on my jaw? Still there, but less angry. Not a miracle — just consistent improvement.
For humid summers where your skin acts like a moody teenager? This is your chill aunt who buys you snacks and doesn’t judge. Not flashy — just reliable.