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There are certain skin care ingredients that can do wonders for your skin but if you use too much they can actually make your skin look worse.  So what are these mysterious ingredients?  Well, they’re really not so mysterious, in all actuality they are pretty well known and pretty common; tretinoin (retin-A), retinol, and alpha hydroxy acids.

Although these ingredients can really make positive changes within your skin, you need to be careful not to use too much.  If used correctly (a pea sized amount for the entire face) they can give you smoother and younger looking skin.  If used incorrectly they can cause redness, peeling, and/or swollen eyes.

Some products are going to be more tolerable than others, as in the case of retinol and tretinoin.  Both are forms of vitamin A, but retinol is actually more mild and better tolerated than tretinoin.  However, you still need to be diligent about using the correct amount because too much retinol can cause irritation especially at the corners of your eyes and mouth as well as the sides of your nose.

Alpha hydroxy acids are great for exfoliating your skin but too much of this good thing can also cause redness and peeling.  Exfoliation is key to obtaining healthy cellular turnover and smoother skin.  You just need to make sure to use a small amount so that your skin can reap the rewards.

Just as with your favorite dietary indulgence; too much of a good thing can cause trouble.  The same holds true with these popular and effective ingredients.  Moderation, moderation, moderation!