Do you still exfoliate your skin with those rough facial scrubs? Well, you don’t have to anymore. Acid exfoliants are now here to solve your problems. Although applying acid to your face may seem alarming, they are completely safe and helpful for many skin issues.
Common skincare acids can be divided into two groups; Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) and Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs).
Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)
AHAs are water-soluble exfoliants that help with the skin’s natural cell renewal process. They stimulate the formation of collagen and glycosaminoglycans (your skin’s natural moisturisers). You will find AHAs in many anti-ageing products, as they are used to tackle fine lines or wrinkles. Because of their exfoliant nature, AHAs help with uneven skin tones and mild hyperpigmentation. Examples of AHAs are glycolic, citric and lactic acid.
Glycolic acid
Glycolic acid is made from sugar cane extract. This is the most effective AHA to even out skin tone and reduces fine lines. However, glycolic acid will also leave your skin more sensitive to sun damage, so be extra diligent in applying your sunscreen.
Citric acid
This AHA is made from citrus fruits as well as berries. They are natural antioxidants which help with sun damage, leaving a brighter skin. Citric acids are also a natural astringent, kind of something between a cleanser and a toner. Astringent products can remove excess oil and cleanse the skin, so they’re good for those with an oily complexion.
Lactic acid
As the name suggests, this came from lactose sugar in milk. Products with lactic acid are good for those with sensitive skin as they are less likely to irritate, compared to glycolic acid. Besides being an exfoliant, lactic acid helps to retain moisture, leaving your skin smooth and supple. Look at history, even Cleopatra swears by lactic acid skin care. Legends (allegedly) say that she bathed in goat milk every day to have a smooth complexion. If you’re not keen on the goat milk beauty routine, don’t worry. These days lactic acid can be extracted from vegan sources, e.g. soybeans, fruits and other sugar-rich plants.
Because of its moisturising properties, lactic acid will work well with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid. By the way, hyaluronic acid isn’t an exfoliating acid AHA or BHA. In fact, its nourishing attributes make hyaluronic acid a great addition to apply to your skin after any exfoliating products.
Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHAs)
Let’s get back to the other exfoliating acid, BHAs. Due to their oil-soluble nature, BHAs can penetrate deep into the pores, removing excess oil and dead skin cells. The most commonly used BHA in skincare is salicylic acid, sometimes listed as willow bark extract, salicylate or sodium salicylate. You will find these in products like acne treatment gels, cleansers or even serums and toners.
Are all these a bit much to take in? Don’t worry, just remember these two things. AHAs tackle the problems on the skin’s surface, so they’re for wrinkles and skin tone lightening. BHAs go deeper into the skin, they’re for acne and blemishes. And as with any skincare product, do a patch test first to make sure it is suitable for your skin. Using too much acid skin care can also cause inflammation or increase the effects of sun damage, so make sure you use the recommended amount.
Hartwick is a content writer under Headliner by Newswav, a programme where content creators get to tell their unique stories through articles and at the same time monetize their content within the Newswav app.
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