Best Ingredients for Exfoliation: AHA & BHA
Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) are a group of naturally derived acids used in a variety of skincare products.
These acids act as chemical exfoliants. They dissolve the inter-cellular bonds (the bonds between your skin cells) and facilitate the natural shedding process of your skin, helping you to get rid of the dead skin cells easily, revealing softer, smoother, and brighter skin.
Out of all the AHAs available, glycolic acid and lactic acid are widely used and well researched. These two AHAs are also less likely to cause irritation.
Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) should be your skin care staple. From clogged pores to recurring acne – they can handle all skin issues with ease. And that’s the reason they are now found in most skin care products.
Daily use products, such as serums, toners, and moisturizers, contain lower AHA concentrations. For example, a serum or a toner might have a 5 percent AHA concentration.
You shouldn’t use products that are more than 10 percent AHA.This helps to prevent the side effects from AHAs.
Benefits of AHAs:
1. They help exfoliate
AHAs are primarily used to exfoliate your skin. In fact, this is the foundation for all of the other benefits that AHAs offer.
Exfoliation helps to remove the dead skin cells from your skin and it also makes way for new skin cell generation.
The shedding and regeneration of cells is a continuous cycle. However, when you age, this process slows down. As a result, dead skin cells accumulate on your skin. This makes your skin dark and dull and also cause age spots. AHAs help your skin in its natural process of shedding dead skin cells.
2. They help visibly brighten skin
When AHA's exfoliate your skin, dead skin cells are broken down and it reveals a fresh layer of cells beneath. The new skin revealed beneath is brighter and more radiant.
AHAs with glycolic acid can help break down skin cell accumulation, while products with citric acid can brighten your skin even further.
3. They help promote collagen production
Collagen helps to keep your skin plump and smooth. As you age, these fibers break down. Sun damage may also accelerate collagen destruction. This can result in sallow, sagging skin which also appears as signs of aging.
AHAs may help promote collagen production by destroying old collagen fibers to make way for new ones.
4. They help reduce the appearance of surface lines and wrinkles
AHAs are known for their anti-aging effects, and surface lines are no exception. The acids take off the top, damaged layer of skin, revealing less-damaged skin beneath and allowing for the regrowth of skin cells.
The acids also may enhance your body's production of collagen, the protein that plumps and firms the skin surface. This in turn helps to reduce the appearance of the signs of aging like surface lines and wrinkles.
5. They help minimize and correct discoloration
Sun damage, scars and other health problems can lead to hyper pigmentation and skin discoloration on your face. Your risk for skin discoloration increases with age.
AHAs promote skin cell turnover. New skin cells are evenly pigmented. So, long-term use of AHAs may reduce skin discoloration by encouraging the old, discolored skin cells to turn over and form newer cells.
6. They help treat and prevent acne
Acne pimples occur when your pores are clogged with a combination of dead skin cells, oil (sebum), and bacteria.
Exfoliating with AHAs can help to clean the dirt and deep cleanse the clogged pores. Continued use may also prevent from forming clogged pores in the future. AHAs may also reduce the size of enlarged pores, which are commonly seen in acne-prone skin.
Skin cell turnover from exfoliating glycolic and lactic acids can even reduce acne scars. Some acne products also contain other AHAs, such as citric and malic acids, to help soothe inflamed skin.
7. They help increase product absorption
In addition to their own distinct benefits, AHAs can make your existing products work better by increasing their absorption into the skin.
For example, if you have too many dead skin cells, your daily moisturizer just sits on top without hydrating your new skin cells underneath. AHAs can penetrate your skin and break the layer of dead skin cells. Once the layer is cleared, your skin’s absorption levels increase. This enables your moisturizer to hydrate your new skin cells more effectively.
What’s the difference between an AHA and a BHA?
Another commonly used acid on the skincare market is called beta-hydroxy acid (BHA).
AHA's are water-soluble and thus help on the surface or the epidermis of the skin. BHA's are oil soluble and thus, they go deep inside your oily pores and help to clean them. And that is why, Salicylic acid is mostly recognized as an acne-fighting ingredient, but this isn’t all it does.
AHA's are water-soluble and thus help on the surface or the epidermis of the skin. BHA's are oil soluble and thus, they go deep inside your oily pores and help to clean them. And that is why, Salicylic acid is mostly recognized as an acne-fighting ingredient, but this isn’t all it does.
Like AHAs, salicylic acid helps to exfoliate the skin by removing dead skin cells. This can help clear blackheads and whiteheads by unclogging pores made from trapped dead skin cells and oil in the hair follicles.
BHAs may be just as effective as AHAs for acne, texture improvements, and sun-related discoloration. Salicylic acid is also less irritating, which may be preferable if you have sensitive skin.
If you have more than one skin concern, you might experiment with both AHAs and BHAs, but you should approach with caution.
When using multiple products for your skin, it’s important to incorporate them into your regimen gradually. Using too many AHAs, BHAs, and chemicals at once can cause irritation. In turn, this can make wrinkles, acne, and other skin concerns more noticeable.
Start small. Use less concentration of the acids and incorporate them maybe twice/thrice a week and then go higher.
Also, since they help to exfoliate the skin and thus new skin cells appear on the skin, they are more prone to UVA/ UVB harm. Protect them. Always wear sunscreen. Always!
Now coming to the most awaited part; recommendations!!
Now, lets know the names of some of the most common AHAs: Glycolic acid, Lactic acid and Mandelic acid. Most common BHA: Salicylic acid. This might help you when you are looking at the ingredients list of products.
I hope these recommendations help you out! Let me know if you get any of these and if they work for you.
Watch out this space for many more #skincareingredients and #funfacts
Start small. Use less concentration of the acids and incorporate them maybe twice/thrice a week and then go higher.
Also, since they help to exfoliate the skin and thus new skin cells appear on the skin, they are more prone to UVA/ UVB harm. Protect them. Always wear sunscreen. Always!
Now coming to the most awaited part; recommendations!!
Now, lets know the names of some of the most common AHAs: Glycolic acid, Lactic acid and Mandelic acid. Most common BHA: Salicylic acid. This might help you when you are looking at the ingredients list of products.
- Plum green tea range contains AHAs like glycolic acid and all the products in this range work amazingly!
- Kaya acne care kit or specifically the spot corrector
- Suganda BHA serum is bomb for sure!
- Pure bubbles AHA lime and bilberry face wash
- Mixify unloc anti acne serum and face mask
- Pixi beauty Glow tonic
- The Ordinary has many choices with different concentrations
- Clinique introduction kit for combination skin
- Wishtrend also has some AHA and BHA products
- Innisfree Bija range for troubled skin is amazing
- Neutrogena deep facial cleanser has salicyclic acid
I hope these recommendations help you out! Let me know if you get any of these and if they work for you.
Watch out this space for many more #skincareingredients and #funfacts
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