I was scared that Glyco-C is not a version for me, because previously I had a bad experience with Alpha-H or even professional treatments - it's either burned skin or huge breakout. Both reactions are quite normal because active ingredients like AHA can cause purging, but the amount of purging I had to stand was not normal. Liftactive Specialist Glyco-C Ampoules comes in two different forms - 10 ampoules (that should be enough for 20 uses) or 30 ampoules (enough for 60 uses). I bought 10 ampoules first and then repurchase them once again. The idea of making tiny ampoules instead of one big ampoule is clever - Vitamin C usually is not a stable so Vichy decided not only to pack the product in smaller containers but also make the glass container brown to protect the product. Although, Ascorbyl Glucoside used in Vichy Glyco-C is a stable form of Vitamin C and Vichy promotes it as Vitamin CG. The packaging is made out of glass, so you need few tissues to grab the top part and break it. The set of Glyco-C (and Peptide-C) ampoules contains tiny plastic funnel with a plug. The application itself is easy - half of the ampoule is enough for one use, then we lock the funnel with tiny plug and we can use it once more. I always apply Glyco-C during the evening routine straight after cleansing - there's no need to use the toner since we would have to wait for toner to fully dry. It's the same technique I use with professional acid peel treatments. What I do differently - I do not neutralize the acid with water or neutralizer - Vichy didn't develop a neutralizer for Glyco-C series. I just follow with the next routine step - serum. In my case, I didn't have to deal with any itching, but I got through the purging phase (about 2 days) and then after the mask restriction came - I had to stop using the treatment for few days because my skin started to get dry patches on my cheeks - the area covered with a mask.
According to Vichy, Liftactiv Specialist Glyco-C fights with different types of pigmentation - hyperpigmentation, post-acne pigmentation, age spots or pigmentation related to UVA & UVB radiation. In four weeks we should see 21% less dark spots and 37% less post-acne pigmentation which I would prefer to call PIE - post irritation erythema. After 8 weeks, 36% of pigmentation should be reduced. The efficiency of this treatment according to Vichy is 90%-100%, depends on what you need. After only a few days my friends saw a change - they saw it coming before I did, my skin looked brighter than normal, even if my acne was pretty heavy. Glyco-C won't fight fully with acne but it will make your acne less heavy, but you have to go through the purging stage. After the whole treatment (two packages, 10 ampoules each), I can say - I see the difference in pigmentation of the skin - PIE is less visible, the skin feels soft and moist, even if I still have to deal with blackheads, my skin is getting better. It's not a summer treatment so my timing in posting this review is quite bad, but I wanted to take a bit longer and use at least 20 ampoules before I share the result with you. Vichy didn't disappoint me and I feel like Vichy started to recoup the prestige. It's no longer this expensive French brand with not so good formulas, now it's another strong player in skincare game.
The treatment was painless unless you put it on fresh wound then don't expect a miracle while applying it on wounds. My skincare when using Glyco-C is easy - 1st cleanser, 2nd cleanser, Glyco-C, serum, eye cream and moisturizer. I do apply Glyco-C near the eye area, but few things you should remember when applying it near eyes - be extra careful with acid near eyes. Glycolic Acid can help you with eye wrinkles. When you decide to use Glyco-C - remember to use it during the colder months and that you still need sun protection while using it
The set of Glyco-C (and Peptide-C) ampoules contains tiny plastic funnel with a plug. Let's be honest, you'll lose the plug anyway because it's a tiny part. The first set I had - plastic funnel got broken and the plastic plug got lost. Ampoules are made out of glass, the corners of the opened ampoules are rough that's why you might have sometimes problems with destroying the funnel if you try too hard.
