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If you know my skincare line, you probably do too Triple Berry Smoothing Scrub. This best-selling product is loved by beauty editors, celebrity clients and clients alike for its ability to treat a multitude of skin concerns at once. Whether it’s enlarged or clogged pores, pimples, hyperpigmentation, uneven texture or dull looking skin, this scrub can work wonders!
After being out of stock for over a year (and amassing a waiting list of nearly 5,000 people!), I’m super excited to announce that Triple Berry Smoothing Peel is back! It’s got the same brightening antioxidant berry blend and great exfoliating benefits, and it still looks and smells the same as raspberry jam. However, we’ve given the formula some exciting new updates. In this post, I will introduce them to you in detail. Let’s dive in.
Why Triple Berry was out of stock
Like so many other companies, we were hit by supply chain disruptions at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. These disruptions resulted in the discontinuation of one of the ingredients used in Triple Berry Smoothing Peel. The ingredient was a unique polymer used to thicken the formula and give the shell its signature jelly-like formula. This polymer was very difficult to replicate, so it took time.
Finding out that a key ingredient isn’t available in one of your best-selling products doesn’t feel good, but I knew I had to quickly pivot and figure out the next steps. I asked myself, “Where do I find the silver lining?” After going through the options, I decided the best course of action was to reformulate Triple Berry Smoothing Peel. It’s been over ten years since I first launched this product (how time flies!) and one thing I’m very committed to is making sure the products in my line are up to date stand. While I never formulate based on what’s trending, I always aim to leverage the best and latest innovations in skincare when it’s appropriate. I decided this was the perfect opportunity to re-evaluate Triple Berry and modernize the formulation.
While it took longer than I would have liked, it was incredibly important for me to get this restatement just right. I went through so many patterns and versions with our lab that we finally found something that I was proud to share with the world. I know it’s been a long road and I can’t express how much I appreciate our wonderful customers for being patient with us!
Get to know the new formula
When I first started thinking about this reformulation, the first step was to consider all of the feedback we’d had about the scrub over the years. One of the biggest complaints we kept hearing was that it wasn’t pregnancy safe due to the inclusion of salicylic acid. Anyone who’s been pregnant knows that hormonal changes can send breakouts and hyperpigmentation into overdrive, and Triple Berry is perfect for those concerns. We wanted to make sure the scrub was accessible to all of our customers so the first step was to remove salicylic acid to make it pregnancy safe.
Note: If you still want to use salicylic acid in your routine, I recommend using an exfoliating acid serum such as BHA Clarifying Serum or the Pore + Wrinkle Perfecting Serum. These can be used on scrub nights when you are not using the scrub.
In addition, you can use the Rapid Response Detox Mask after rinsing off Triple Berry Smoothing Peel. These two products were so effective in treating breakouts when used together. If you have the time and want to take it a step further, use this peel/mask duo as a Part of an at-home facial.
Say hello to the new ingredients
To make sure the scrub was still great for pimples and clogged pores, I then decided to add some new exfoliating acids. The main way this scrub fights breakouts and clogs is by removing dead skin cells that can get into the lining of your pores and cause clogs.
Next, I decided to add an exciting new ingredient that would take this scrub to the next level in terms of fading hyperpigmentation. I also decided to add a few more soothing ingredients to keep skin comfortable.
Here’s a breakdown of all the new ingredients.
phytic acid
The first is phytic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid found naturally in certain grains and legumes (although it’s synthesized in a lab for skin care purposes). It has been shown to be effective in reducing acne and enlarged pores, and is also helpful in fighting pimples and fine lines.
gluconolactone
Gluconolactone is a PHA, which stands for polyhydroxy acid. This group of exfoliating acids works in the same way as AHAs and BHAs, but they are larger in molecular size and therefore gentler. Gluconolactone also moisturizes the skin during exfoliation.
PHAs were originally patented by the NeoStrata brand around 1994, meaning they had exclusive rights to use them in skin care formulations. That patent expired a few years ago, meaning PHAs are now fair game and can be used by other skincare formulators like me. Exciting!
Potassium azeloyl diglycinate (azelaic acid)
Pronouncing it is no easy task, but potassium azeloyl diglycinate is actually just a derivative of azelaic acid. Azelaic acid is known to improve acne and calm redness and irritation (it’s even used in some recipes for rosacea). It has also been found to be very effective in fading hyperpigmentation.
The reason why we chose to use a derivative instead of azelaic acid itself is that azelaic acid is very difficult to handle from a cosmetic chemistry perspective. It’s difficult to stabilize unless used in very minimalistic formulas – basically, it doesn’t mix well with other active ingredients.
Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate is a fairly new ingredient and is equally beneficial for treating hyperpigmentation. Whether it is hormonal, how melasma, or caused by sun damage or previous breakouts, this ingredient can help. With regular use, it promotes more radiant, even skin.
Allantoin and Mirabilis Jalapa Extract
Allantoin and Mirabilis Jalapa are both excellent soothing ingredients, and they definitely top all of these great new additions to the Triple Berry Smoothing Peel. My goal is always to create effective products that create a noticeable change in the skin without irritating it, so adding these ingredients was key.
As well as adding other soothing ingredients, I really wanted to go the extra mile to ensure this scrub is safe for everyone 9 skin types to use. I chose to put it through clinical testing where it was administered to over 50 participants. Their reactions were monitored and I am happy to say that none of them were adverse.
While this scrub has been clinically proven to be non-irritating, everyone is different. We always recommend patch testing a new product before using it for the first time. Even if you used the previous version of Triple Berry Smoothing Peel, it’s a good idea to patch test this version.
This reformulation was an affair of the heart. After over a year of research and testing, I’m thrilled to send it out into the world. I can’t wait for you to try it and I hope you love it as much as I do. If you want to learn more about using Triple Berry Smoothing Peel, read the FAQs on the product page.
Famous beautician and skincare expert
An esthetician trained in cosmetic chemistry, Renée Rouleau has spent 30 years researching skin, educating her audience and building an award-winning line of products. Her hands-on experience as an esthetician and trusted skincare expert has created a real solution – products formulated for nine different skin types to give your face exactly what it needs to look and feel good. Celebrities, editors, bloggers and skincare enthusiasts around the world trust her extensive real-world knowledge and ongoing research. Marie Claire calls her “the most passionate skin practitioner we know.”