We have all heard about Salicylic, Glycolic, and lactic Acids. But not very many people know the details behind them. The Glycolic and Lactic Acid are the AHA's which stands for Alpha Hydroxy Acids. Salicylic Acid is a BHA which stands for Beta Hydroxy Acid. These help the skin shed dead skin cells. Without exfoliation blackheads, pimples, whiteheads, cysts, and dry skin can occur. Lets first start off with the AHAs.
AHA's are good for sun-damaged skin and dry skin, this is because these help make the skin more hydrated. The added benefit of using a chemical exfoliant is your products are going to penetrate more. Your moisturizers won't sit on the surface of the skin, they will go deeper within the skins layers. It also helps collagen production, because your skin cells need to regenerate. You can apply this morning and night. You want to apply this after you washed and toned your face.
- Glycolic Acid. There is not a better AHA than the other. I personally like Glycolic Acid because you can find it in drugstores. This works great with people who have sun damaged skin. The glycolic penetrates ino the deeper layers of the skin. This is how the collagen is producing more. The more exfoliation, the more your skin needs to work to regenerate new skin cells. This is recommended to be at 8-10% to be most effective. A good product is Alpha Hydrox's AHA Souffle. This is $15 and you can get it at Ulta.
- Lactic Acid. This exfoliant helps to brighten and hydrate the skin. This is good for women who don't have a lot of sun damage. You find lactic acid in some high end products, you can also find it mixed with some drugstore products. I make my own chemical peel using creamer. Its cheaper and it works because I make it on the spot. I will do another blog about that.
Your BHA is good for people with acne, oily skin. This is also an anti-irritant. This is because salicylic acid and aspirin are derived from Willow bark extract. It is an anti-inflammatory for the same reason. This helps with acne because it helps to take the irritating factor out of blemishes. It helps with the redness because its anti-inflammatory. It is also Anti-microbial.
- Salicylic Acid can penetrate inside the pore and the outside of it. That is why it is good for blemishes and blackheads. It is also proven that it helps with the skins thickness, and the collagen production. You can use this if you have aged skin that is also blemish prone. If you have dry skin that is not prone to breakouts, don't use this. This is recommended to be used at 0.5% to 2% strength. I also have a chemical peel on this. I will make another blog about this. A good product is Clean and clears Advantage oil Absorbing Treatment oilfree. This is $7 and you can get it at most drugstores.
Overall, AHAs and BHAs are both effective exfoliants. There is not one better than the other. Its best to use the AHAs if you have dry and sundamaged skin, while BHAs are used for oily, blemishes, and black heads. Since they exfoliatiate the pore lining and the outside of the pore.You can use both at the same time, but that won't make that much of a difference. I personally prefer the AHAs, but you would have to try them out yourself.
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