Skin Acids and their Benefits

Skin acids are no secret, and the reason we love our skincare products so much. What are the most beneficial skin acids though, and what is their purpose for the skin? How do you know which ones to buy? There is a lot of information out there on skin acids, to break it down simply, here is some basic information on some of the most beneficial ingredients in skin care.

To start the topic of skin acids, AHAs are quite popular at the moment and have benefits on the skin. AHA’s stand for alpha hydroxy acids and are also commonly known as “sugar acids” since they are derived from sugar cane and plant sources. The benefits include promoting skin cell turnover, reducing texture of the skin, and helping even skin tone leading to brighter skin. The AHA family includes glycolic and lactic acids as well as citric acid, mandelic, and tartaric acid. Most people should use AHA’s once a day, preferably at nighttime. For stronger AHA formulas, these can be used less frequently such as three times a week, alternating them with retinoids. AHA’s are different from retinoids, however alternating from retinoids and AHA’s throughout the week can do wonders for the skin. If you want to read more about retinoids click here.

Two popular alpha hydroxy acids are lactic and glycolic acid. Though these acids are both a part of the AHA family they have many similarities and differences. They both do a wonderful job at stimulating the production of hyaluronic acid, stimulating collagen production, improving texture, and reducing unwanted pigmentation. However, the two acids differ as glycolic acid improves the appearance of pores, as well as it is the acid better suited for acne prone skin. It penetrates the skin at a deeper level therefore it works better at lower percentages. Lactic acid on the other hand, is helpful in improving the skin barrier function with a hydration capacity more than most other acids. 

BHA’s are another skin acid, different from AHA’s in that they are oil soluble, going deeper into the skin. One example of a BHA is salicylic acid which is commonly used for acne prone skin. As salicylic acid breaks these bonds, cell renewal is promoted and the skin is rejuvenated. BHAs also act as an antibacterial agent as they penetrate deeply into the skin and remove excess sebum from the pores.

Overall, skin acids wonderfully benefit the skin and there are many to choose from depending on your skin needs. AHA’s are mostly set apart from BHA’s because they work on the skin's surface and they are water soluble. BHA’s are oil soluble penetrating the skin at a deeper level. Therefore BHA’s are typically great for acne prone skin.


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