Acids in skin care? You might imagine wild laboratory explosions and a mad scientist laughing maniacally over a bubbling beaker (no Aaron, we’re not talking about you!).
However, in the realm of glowing skin, exfoliating acids are unsung heroes, helping with everything from brightening skin to minimizing pores and eliminating pigmentation.
Would you like to know more? Here’s a simple guide to understanding common exfoliating acids—AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs—and why they’re so good for your skin.
Is it safe to use acids on your skin?
Exfoliating acids (such as AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs) are chemical exfoliants that remove dead cells from the skin’s surface and penetrate pores to help unclog breakouts. As your skin renews itself, these exfoliants ensure that old cells don’t overstay their welcome, helping you achieve that enviable glow.
The word “chemical” here does not mean industrial chemicals in your skin care! It refers to the fact that these acids, which often come from plants and fruits, cause a mild chemical reaction in the skin.
Your skin itself is slightly acidic. The combination of sweat and oil forms a protective acid mantle, (your skin’s barrier) that protects against pollutants, bacteria and free radicals. So a well-balanced acidic product won’t make you look like Freddy Krueger, but it will better regulate your skin’s pH levels, making it look and feel right.
If you’ve heard a horror story or two about acids leaving the skin vulnerable and irritated, that could be a case of over-enthusiasm, applying too many of them, not following directions, or choosing the wrong acid for your skin type you.
Used correctly, the right kinds of acids can be your skin’s best friend, not its arch!
What is the difference between AHA, BHA and PHA?
These clever little acronyms stand for alpha-hydroxy acids, beta-hydroxy acids, and poly-hydroxy acids.
Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHAs):
AHAs are water-soluble acids that leave your skin looking brighter and smoother. They do this by sinking into the surface of your skin and dissolving the ‘glue’ that holds old skin cells together, allowing them to slough off.
Many AHAs are also humectants, attracting moisture to the skin, making them slightly more hydrating than other exfoliating acids. This means that AHAs are the key acid for normal to dry skin types.
The top dogs in this category are glycolic acid and lactic acid, which have been the mainstay of peels and exfoliants for decades.
Here at Woohoo, instead of using glycolic acid or lactic acid, we source our AHAs from fruit. Think: bilberry, sugar, maple, lemon, and orange extracts (which naturally contain glycolic, lactic, tartaric, malic, and citric acids—the least potent and mildest of the AHAs).
Together these ingredients help remove dead skin cells, prevent clogged pores, smooth your skin’s surface and gently renew the skin barrier to prevent breakouts. Find them in ours This Is Me Enzyme Exfoliating Mask
“This Is Me” Exfoliating Enzyme Mask.
$38.95
SHOP NOW
Beta-Hydroxy Acids (BHAs):
Where AHAs are water lovers, BHAs prefer oil, allowing them to penetrate deeper into your skin (generally making them a bit stronger than AHAs). The most popular skin care BHA is salicylic acid.
The antibacterial properties of BHAs and their ability to dive deep make them treatment heroes oily, acne-prone skin and expanded resources. Think of BHAs as your personal skin cleansers, removing blockages and imperfections (like blackheads and whiteheads) from pores.
We’ve included fruit-derived BHAs in ours This Is Me Enzyme Exfoliating Mask so your skin can experience all that congestion busting goodness.
Poly-Hydroxy Acids (PHAs):
Meet the most relaxed member of the acid family. PHAs, with their larger molecular size, take a gentler approach and won’t penetrate your skin as deeply as AHAs and BHAs.
PHAs target the top layers of your skin, providing hydration and minimizing the risk of irritation. Ideal for those who have sensitive skinyou will find PHA in ours “Mud About You” Pink Clay Mask. and You’ve Got This Charcoal Cleansing Gel.improves skin texture, improves the appearance of pigmentation and evening tone without the fuss of a skin peel.
“Mud About You” Pink Clay Mask.
$38.95
SHOP NOW
Cleansing gel with carbon “You’ve Got This” 100 ml
$29.95
SHOP NOW
ACID BEAUTY HACK
annoying spots or ingrown hairs on your bikini line? Dark underarm areas? With the balanced blend of AHAs, BHAs and PHAs inside This Is Me Enzyme Exfoliating Mask, smoother, blemish-free skin is just a swipe away. Start with a quick 2-minute application and gradually build up to 20 (see our product instructions for more details). And voila! Watch your skin transform.
