Curious about different types of acids in Skincare?
I did a lot of research about alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) and beta hydroxy acids (BHA) to see what benefits each acid contains. I was a bit skeptical about the different acids, so that 's when I started to research about AHA and BHA.
Each acid are used for different types of skin problems.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA)
Hydroxy acids are used among many skincare products from creams, moisturizers, cleanser, toners, mask, etc. Alpha hydroxy acids are derived from many different types of fruits and milk sugar. The most commonly used acids are glycolic acid and lactic acid.
The Major types:
- Glycolic Acid- Sugar cane
- Skin’s texture will improve within the first weeks
- Uneven darker skin tone will even out - give it 3 months; no improvement see your doctor the brown color is deeper in your skin, a condition or add a skin bleach
- Collagen and elastin improvement will start reducing wrinkles and firming your skin, keep using up to six months for full benefits
- Break-outs subside, women: hormonal break-outs can occur up to a year after starting but improve each month until minimal, if not gone
- Small scar reduction, keep using up to six months for full benefits
- Everybody improves at a different rate have patience with yourself. Some see immediate results others take a little longer.
- The nice attribute is your skin will keep improving the longer you use our products.
- Read more: Glycolic Acid
- Lactic Acid- Milk
- Intensive hydrating properties and moisturizes the skin very well.
- prevents photo-aging (premature skin aging as a result of sun exposure) and prevents sun damage.
- It acts as an exfoliant and makes the skin soft and rejuvenated.
- stimulates collagen production within the skin cells.
- acts as an antibacterial agent.
- It is an excellent astringent.
- treat skin problems such as acne, impurities, and oily skin breakouts.
- Dermatologists and surgeons use higher concentrations of lactic acid in chemical peels.
- Read more: Lactic Acid
- Malic Acid- Apples & Pears
- Even skin tone
- Reduce the signs of age spots and freckles
- Tighten pores
- Reduce or erase the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Help to fade the signs of melasma
- Significantly reduce symptoms of rosacea
- Read More: Malic Acid
- Citric Acid- Oranges & Lemons
- Help alleviate the appearance of age spots
- Acne scars
- Small wrinkles
- Areas of uneven tone and texture
- Read more: Live Strong
- Tartaric Acid- Grapes
- management of dry skin, acne and wrinkles.
- The removal of dry
- dead skin cells in the stratum corneum (skin’s uppermost layer) not only improves the appearance of skin
- help to increase the penetration of other skin care ingredients such as moisturizers.
- Read More: Tartaric Acid
How the "magic" acid works?
AHA works mainly as an exfoliate. The acid causes the cells of the epidermis to "unglue" itself which is the dead skin cells that comes off, which makes room to regenerate new skin. AHA also stimulate production of collagen & elasticity.
Benefits of AHA:
- Improve wrinkle
- Improve roughness of skin
- Help reduce pigmentation from sun damage & freckles
- Help fade acne scars & scars
- Each acids have different benefits
At least 6 months of religious used..
AHA works best if the skin care product contains concentration of 5% to 8% with a pH level of 3 to 4.
Side Effects of AHA:
- irritation
- sun sensitivity
- redness, burning, itching, pain, possibly scarring
The usage of very good sunscreen that contains UVA & UVB is recommended when using these types of acid.
Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA)
Salicyclic Acid is a BHA.
Salicyclic Acid is a mainly for acne treatment ingredients, which is usually extracted in willow tree.
Read More: Salicylic Acid
Benefits of BHA:
- Improve wrinkles
- Improves the texture of the skin
- Fades pigmentation, acne scars, dark blemishes, etc.
- Helps reduce the size of the zit
Side Effect of BHA:
Less irritating than AHA because Salicylic acid derived from Acetylsalicylic acid also know as aspirin.
- redness
- burning
- itching
- pain
- scarring
BHA is best used when the concentration is 1% to 2% with a pH level of 3 to 4.
Difference Between AHA & BHA
The main differences in AHA and BHA is their oil solubility. AHA are water soluble, while BHA is lipid soluble.
BHA can penetrate into the pores which contains sebum & exfoliate dead skin cells built inside the pores.
BHA are better used on oily skin with blackheads & white heads, however AHA are better used on thicken, sun-damaged skin where breakouts are not an issue.
There are many products out in the market for sale that contains these kind of acids to help improve one's skin.
What kind of creams, lotions, or cleanser do you use that contains these acids? Any recommendations?
There are many products out in the market for sale that contains these kind of acids to help improve one's skin.
What kind of creams, lotions, or cleanser do you use that contains these acids? Any recommendations?
