Hydroxy Acids, including Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acids (AHAs & BHAs), have gained a reputation in recent years of providing clinical benefits to the skin. The most popular among them include citric acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, etc. (learn more).
However, choosing the right hydroxy acid-based formula for your skin type can be quite challenging.
To get optimized results with hydroxy acids, here are a few things that you must know before adding these ingredients in your skin care regimen:
1. Not All AHAs and BHAs Work the Same
Natural AHAs and BHAs are derived from different botanical sources, and each have a specific targeted use. While the AHA group is typically used as an exfoliator, BHAs are known to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, signs of aging and help improve overall skin health.
However, some of the acids of the same group can have multiple benefits. For example, Glycolic Acid derived from Sugarcane is a type of AHA used for cleansing the skin. On the other hand, two other AHAs – Tartaric Acid from Tamarind Extract and Citric Acid are used in our BioScience Peptide Complex to help alleviate sun damage and slow down the signs of aging.
2. Check the Strength
It’s always crucial to opt for gentle skin care formulas, especially if you have sensitive or blemish-prone skin. Hydroxy acids are strong acids, and they can alter the pH level of the skin. Therefore, these skin acids should always be diluted (which can vary between ~1-15%) with other natural ingredients in clinically proven ratios before they are applied topically. Higher concentrations can cause burning of the skin, rash, redness, swelling, itching and other sensitive skin reactions.
3. Progressive and Long-lasting Results
If your goal is to benefit skin texture and tone or perhaps help slow down the signs of aging, then remember there’s ‘NO MAGIC’. It takes time, patience and regular effort with a personalized skin care regimen for visible results. Our targeted skin treatments with AHAs and BHAs from 100% natural ingredients give long-lasting results in less than 4 weeks.
4. Steps-Up Other Skin Treatments
Hydroxy acids are highly efficient exfoliants, which not only scrub away the upper layer of dead skin, but also help in toning pores. With clean and clear pores, the tiny molecules of different skin care botanicals in targeted treatments rapidly penetrate into the skin – making them work efficiently and quickly.
Did You Know? Hydroxy acids like Salicylic Acid from White Willow Bark are so efficient that they are used as the first line of treatment against acne. Our Pore Perfect Toner/Hydrator with organic and sustainably wildcrafted ingredients perform as an effective oil balancing formula for oily/acne-prone skin, helping shrink pores and hydrating the skin..
5. Acid Based Products Should Be pH Balanced
When an acid is added to a skin care formula, the pH can drop down to as low as 3.5 – something that is not at all recommended by dermatologists worldwide. The natural acid mantle of our skin is a thin layer made up of sebum, lactic acid and amino acid and has an ideal pH value of ~5.5. To harness the benefits of hydroxy acids without damaging the acid mantle, look for products that are either labelled ‘pH balanced’ or have a pH of 5 – 6.
Read Next: The Different Acids in Skin Care to Reverse the Appearance of Aging…
