This Chemical Exfoliant Is Gentle Enough for Even the Most Sensitive Skin

Last month, off the coast of sunny Montecito, California, I checked into The Rosewood Miramar Beach to celebrate the much-anticipated launch of the Osea Seaglow Overnight Serum. Since the brand is based just down the shoreline in Malibu, it felt right to be trying out this new chemical exfoliant — packed with ingredients pulled from the sea — on the coastline. 

With stubborn maskne and a side of post-acne scarring, my dehydrated skin was clearly in for a treat after the cross-country trip. “Seaglow Overnight Serum promotes cell renewal while simultaneously reinforcing your skin’s moisture barrier when you sleep,” explains Jenefer Palmer, founder of Osea Malibu, of the new nighttime exfoliator. She says Osea used a “moisture-first philosophy” while formulating the serum’s gentle blend of alpha hydroxy acids. This was music to my ears, as my skin is on the sensitive side and can easily be agitated.

Board-certified dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, relates the product’s blend of AHAs to a wine cooler. “Not quite as strong as taking a shot of tequila, but it may take the edge off in a lighter, more, gentle way,” she jokes. Gohara also calls out both malic and lactic acids for being “mild molecules” that may not penetrate deep within the skin but will liberate your complexion from dead skin cells on the surface. Combine these mild exfoliants with tartaric acid (derived from grapes) and phytic acid, and “you are helping the skin to shed [some of] its one million dead skin cells each day, in a fashion that is less likely to be irritating,” states Gohara. 

To balance out the serum’s exfoliating effects, cosmetic chemist Ginger King explains that its mix of natural oils like apricot, olive, almond, and sunflower aid in moisturizing and nourishing overnight. That’s ideal for skin like mine, which can easily be agitated and prone to dryness after harsher exfoliating treatments. Plus, Osea Seaglow Overnight Serum is loaded with calming and hydrating sea actives like red algae and spirulina to replenish and hydrate the skin barrier. King explains that red algae can promote microcirculation for more radiant-looking skin, while spirulina platensis extract “soothes the skin and provides antioxidant benefits.”