How To Get Glass Skin With PHA and LHA

In my skincare studio I watched the same moment repeat itself again and again. A client sits up after a facial, catches the mirror, and smiles. Skin looks fresh, smooth, and glossy. I always joke, “You’ve got disco ball cheeks,” because the glow is that amazing. The secret is not deep peels. It is kind, consistent exfoliation that respects your skin and still delivers results.

If you have felt confused by exfoliants, you are not alone. Maybe you tried something strong and ended up red or flaky. You want something gentle that still works, and you want a plan that fits real life. That is exactly why I teach a low and slow approach that protects your barrier and builds steady glow.

Here is the quick decoder so the ingredients make sense:

• PHA, or polyhydroxy acids, have larger molecules that tend to sit closer to the surface, which is why many people experience them as gentle.

• LHA, also called capryloyl salicylic acid, is oil friendly and great when texture and congestion show up.

• AHA, like glycolic or lactic, refreshes the look of tone and texture, and works best for more resilient skin.

• Most people feel PHA as the softest, then LHA, then classic AHA, but your skin may rank them differently, so patch test first and go slow.

Now for the hero that my clients and I adore. Dermathod Peel Pads pair PHA and LHA in a leave on format. There is no rinsing and no gritty scrub. You swipe, seal with hydration, and let the formula do the quiet, steady work. Because they balance clarity with comfort, clients reach for them again and again. They are face and body friendly, which is lovely for the backs of arms, and when you follow with a water based hydrator you get that glossy finish I lovingly call “disco ball cheeks”.

Shop the pads: /shop/p/dermathod-peel-pads
Pair with a calming gel: /shop/p/derma-revive-healer-gel

Choosing a rhythm is simple. Leave on pads or essences are my favorite for sensitive and acne prone skin because you control the frequency and keep the barrier happy. If you enjoy a once a week reset, layer in a gentle treatment night with Dermathod O2 Tox Peel, then keep the rest of the week simple.

Weekly reset idea: /shop/p/o2-tox-peel

Here is a plan that keeps glow building without the spiral. Start low and slow.

• Two to four nights per week is plenty to begin for most people. Alternate smartly so exfoliation and strong retinoids land on different evenings. Seal each session with something soothing, like a lightweight gel or cream. Wear SPF every morning.

• If you are easily flushed or reactive, begin with PHA a few nights per week and listen closely to comfort cues. If you see congestion or rough texture, reach for LHA in a leave on format and adjust the cadence as your skin settles. If your skin is more resilient, rotate in a classic AHA as needed and keep the rest of the routine calming.

Three routine examples to make this feel real in your week:

1. Sensitive skin focus
   Use Dermathod Peel Pads 1 to 2 times per week in the evening, do not rinse. Follow with Derma Revive Healer Gel for a cooling, water based finish.
   Links: /shop/p/dermathod-peel-pads and /shop/p/derma-revive-healer-gel

2. Texture refresh
   Use Dermathod Peel Pads 2 to 4 nights per week if your skin is comfortable with that cadence. If you prefer a weekly rhythm, use the pads weekly and add Dermathod O2 Tox Peel on your reset night for a more resurfacing yet gentle treatment. Next morning, hydrate and apply SPF.
   Link: /shop/p/o2-tox-peel

3. Body or KP prone areas
   Two nights per week, swipe one Dermathod Peel Pad on the backs of arms or other texture prone zones. Follow with a body lotion that layers humectants and lightweight emollients.
   Link: /shop/p/dermathod-peel-pads

A few quick answers I share often in the studio:

How often should you exfoliate? Start low and slow, then adjust based on comfort.

Can you combine PHA and LHA? Yes, that is the beauty of these pads, you get clarity and gentleness together.

When will you see a difference? Consistency matters more than strength, so give a new routine two to four weeks while keeping skin comfortable.

The goal is skin that feels soft, looks even, and glows under any light. Gentle steps, repeated with love, add up. That is how you end up with those playful, glistening “disco ball cheeks” after a simple nightly ritual.

Ready to try the glow routine?
Start with Dermathod Peel Pads
Add a weekly moment with O2 Tox Peel
Soothe and seal with Derma Revive Healer Gel