The Acid Test
Posted on 29th August 2022 at 11:09
The words ‘acid’ and ‘skincare’ don’t seem to go together somehow, but many skincare products contain different types of acid that are safe to use and offer incredible benefits when it comes to tackling various skincare problems.
Understanding the two types of acid
Two types of acid are used in skincare products:
AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) – these are water-soluble acids made from plants such as citrus fruits, grapes and sugarcane.
BHA (beta hydroxy acid) – these are naturally occurring oil-soluble acids, for example, salicylic acid which comes from willow bark is a common ingredient in beauty products.
So how are the different types used for skin care?
1. Products containing AHA can be most effective to:
Reduce the appearance of fine lines, age spots, melasma and scars.
Treat enlarged pores.
Achieve a more even skin tone.
Treat dry skin.
Combat the effects of ageing.
2. Products containing BHA can be most effective to:
Treat acne.
Clear pores.
Reverse the effects of sun damage.
Calm inflammation.
“Both types exfoliate the skin and can be found in products such as cleansers, toners, scrubs, peels, masks and moisturisers”.
AHAs are good for peeling away the skin surface and allowing new skin cells to form.
BHAs can penetrate the skin more deeply to get rid of dead skin cells and excess oil.
“It is possible to use both types in combination, but always be careful when doing this to avoid dryness and irritation, Always ask us for expert advice when using products containing acids.”
Citric Acid
This is an AHA derived from oranges and lemons and is used to exfoliate, clean pores, even out skin tone and make the skin feel smoother.
This can be found in the following products available online and in our salon at The Mind Body & Soul:
Glycolic acid
Another type of commonly used AHA, glycolic acid is made from sugar cane and used for exfoliation, anti-ageing and as a good general solution for a range of skin problems.
This can be found in the following products and treatments available at The Mind Body & Soul:
Ferulic acid
This is one of the key AHA anti-ageing ingredients in skincare products. It’s a plant-derived acid used to treat and prevent sun damage, fine lines, age spots and wrinkles.
This can be found in the following products and treatments available at The Mind Body & Soul:
Salicylic acid
As mentioned earlier, this acid comes from willow bark and is the BHA usually used in skincare products. It’s used to treat acne, sun damage and age spots and to calm redness and reduce inflammation.
This can be found in the following products and treatments available at The Mind Body & Soul:
Hyaluronic acid
This acid isn’t actually an AHA or BHA, so the word ‘acid’ is slightly. It occurs naturally in the body and is a very nourishing, hydrating and plumping ingredient used in moisturisers and serums.
This can be found in the following products and treatments available at The Mind Body & Soul:
Take professional advice…
With acid-based skincare products it’s always important to test out small areas of skin first when trying new products so always have a professional consultation.
This can be found in the following products and treatments available at The Mind Body & Soul:
And you may need to be more careful with some acid products if you have dry or sensitive skin.
It’s also vital to use at least a SPF 30+ sunscreen every day when using skincare products that contain acid as they can increase sensitivity and make you more prone to sunburn.
SkinCeuticals sunscreens are formulated to provide true broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection to the skin. This advanced line of sun protection features Z-Cote®, transparent zinc oxide, to help protect skin from the damaging UVA rays, proven to accelerate the signs of premature skin ageing. SkinCeuticals offers a variety of cosmetically elegant sunscreens for various skin types and lifestyles.
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