What Is AHA?
Before you delve deep to know what AHA is, you must learn what are hydroxy acids. Hydroxy acids (HAs) are a class of compounds used in cosmetic and therapeutic formulations to offer multi-faceted benefits to the skin. AHAs and BHAs are commonly used classes of compounds.
AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) is a group of acids (plant and animal-derived) that are widely used in skincare ingredients, especially for their exfoliating potency. Wondering what does AHA do? There are numerous skincare ingredients available in the market but what makes AHAs stand out from the rest of exfoliating ingredients is that they are water-soluble and have the ability to work on the skin’s surface.
Now you would wonder what the impact of this feature on your skin is. When an acid is water-soluble it means it can’t reach the skin’s natural oils which gives it the power to work effectively on the skin surface. Hence, AHAs are mostly used for exfoliating functions on the stratum corneum, i.e. skin’s surface. Now that you know what AHA for the skin is, let’s learn about variants of AHAs.
Summary: AHAs are water-soluble and work effectively on the skin surface.
What Are the Types of AHAs?
There are different types of AHA, and each one has different effects on the skin. Here is a list of some of the dermatologists' recommended variants of AHA skincare:
Glycolic acid is a chemical exfoliant that naturally occurs in sugarcane. It is the smallest water-soluble AHA and hence can penetrate deep into the skin, i.e., the basal layer of the epidermis where the melanin build-up occurs. Wondering what are the AHA benefits for the skin, especially when it comes to glycolic acid? Glycolic acid as an AHA accelerates skin renewal and removes melanin build-up cell by cell. Glycolic acid is one of the most popular AHAs and widely used skincare ingredients. Build AHA skincare with glycolic acid and reveal spot-less bright skin.
One of the mildest forms of AHA, lactic acid helps increase cell turnover and eliminate dead cells from the top of the skin layer. It is present in dairy and fermented vegetables and can effectively correct moderate to severe hyperpigmentation, and fade away age spots, wrinkles, and highly visible pores.
It is one of the types of AHAs (present in apples) that helps cleanse and rejuvenate your skin, keep it hydrated, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and prevent acne.
Citric acid, present in citrus fruits helps in skin exfoliation. When used in higher concentrations, it best works to exfoliate skin, however, when used in a lower concentration, citric acid works as an antioxidant as well as pH adjuster.
Mandelic acid is one of the variants of AHAs (made from almond extracts) that can be combined with other potent AHAs to increase exfoliation. However, when used alone or in skincare product, mandelic acid can help improve skin texture and pore size.
Tartaric acid is another type of AHA that is made from grape extracts and can help address acne and signs of sun damage.
Since different AHAs have varied molecular sizes, their penetrative abilities are also different hence they work exclusively on numerous skin issues or concerns. So, now that you know what is alpha hydroxy acid, let’s move on to learn the benefits of using AHA for the skin.
Summary: There are different types of AHAs like glycolic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, citric acid, mandelic acid, and tartaric acid. However, the most popular chemical exfoliant, i.e., AHA is Glycolic acid.
What Are the AHA Benefits for The Skin?
As stated earlier, AHAs primarily help in skin exfoliation. However, besides exfoliation, there are endless AHA benefits for the skin that include brightening, hydrating, anti-ageing and more. Let’s learn more about the AHA benefits for the skin.
- AHAs help in skin exfoliation
- Brighten your skin with Alpha Hydroxy Acid products
- AHAs help boost collagen production
- AHAs help eliminate the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Using Alpha Hydroxy Acid products helps correct skin discoloration
- AHAs help promote blood flow to the skin
Summary: AHAs aid in skin exfoliation, a process where accumulated dead cells shed off and pave way for new skin cell generation. This exfoliating ability allows different types of AHAs to offer other benefits like skin brightening, collagen production, and treating skin discolouration.
Difference Between AHA and BHA
The above-mentioned paragraphs thoroughly elaborate on what is Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA). There are other groups of acids, like BHA that offer similar benefits. AHA (alpha hydroxy acids) and BHA (beta hydroxy acids) are chemical exfoliants.
- AHAs, like glycolic acid, are water-soluble and address surface-level skin woes. Continuous usage of AHAs leaves you with bright, plump, and smooth skin.
- What are BHAs, you ask? BHAs, like salicylic acid, are oil-soluble and reach the pores to control acne and excess oil.
(Read our guide on the difference between AHA and BHA to understand more about these chemical exfoliants)
Different types of BHAs include:
- Salicylic acid
- Beta-hydroxybutanoic acid
- Tropic acid,
- Trethocanic acid, etc.
Combining AHA and BHA in skincare can prove to be beneficial for the skin health. However, you have to use them cautiously to avoid irritation.
Apart from this, there are other acids called hyaluronic acid that help hydrate the skin and make it look plump. Now that you know what are BHAs, what are AHAs and BHAs, as well as the countless AHA benefits for the skin, let’s proceed to understand the ways to add these AHAs to your skincare ritual and experience the benefits. So, without any further ado, let’s frame an AHA skincare routine for you.
How to Use AHA Products?
Alpha Hydroxy Acid products are available in the form of cleansers, serums, day creams, and night cream. You can use these products to reveal smoother, even-toned skin.
Here’s a list of some of the common variants of AHA products:
Alpha Hydroxy Acid products list starts with cleansers that help gently exfoliate your skin to reveal glowing and radiant skin. Since glycolic acid is a naturally occurring chemical exfoliant, you can choose to use glycolic acid-infused exfoliating cleanser to get the best results.
