Skin Care

What Is The Difference Between AHA And BHA: How To Choose The Right Skin Exfoliant

An ideal skincare routine has various steps and each one should be given equal importance. One such step that shouldn’t be skipped is skin exfoliation. Skin Exfoliation is an important step wherein it helps you to remove dead skin cells and unclog pores. There are two types of skin exfoliants (AHA and BHA) and choosing between the two according to your skin concerns can be quite challenging. This guide might make things easier for you. Read ahead to know the primary difference between AHA and BHA, different types of AHA and BHA, benefits of skin exfoliation and how to choose between the two exfoliants.

Benefits of skin exfoliation

Before we dive into the difference between AHA and BHA and their benefits, let’s understand the benefits of skin exfoliation.

  • Helps unclog pores

    • Exfoliation mainly helps in clearing out the dirt and grime in your skin. You remove all the dry and dead skin cells by scrubbing your face with an exfoliator.

  • Prevents acne

    • Dead skin cells seal pores, preventing oil from the glands from escaping and staying beneath the skin. This causes acne and breakouts on your skin. Skin exfoliation helps in clearing out the dirt which in turn prevents acne. However, it does not mean that you should keep scrubbing your skin harshly.

  • Evens out skin tone

    • Dark spots, acne scars and blemishes are often tough to get rid of. Skin exfoliation helps in breaking down these stubborn dead skin cells and enhances the texture of your skin. It eventually evens out your skin tone and gives you radiant skin.

  • It helps other skincare products penetrate deep into your skin

    • Dead skin cells, dirt and grime act as barriers when you apply products like toners, serums and moisturisers. Skin exfoliation eliminates these barriers and helps other skin products penetrate in your skin well.

What is AHA and BHA?

If you’re wondering what is AHA and BHA, we have a simplified explanation for you. AHA and BHA are types of Hydroxy acids which are used in cosmetic products. You can find these in products such as cleansers, toners, scrubs, moisturisers, peels, and masks. The main purpose of AHA and BHA is to exfoliate your skin and remove all dead skin cells from the surface of your skin. Neither of these two is superior as both these exfoliants have different properties.

Difference between AHA and BHA

AHA stands for Alpha Hydroxy Acid while BHA stands for Beta Hydroxy Acid. The major difference between AHA and BHA is that AHAs are made of sugary fruits and are water soluble while BHAs are oil soluble. AHA peels away the surface of your skin to allow evenly pigmented skin cells to generate. BHA, on the other hand, can get deep inside your skin to unclog your pores, remove dead skin cells and excess sebum. AHA includes acids like glycolic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid and lactic acid. BHA includes salicylic acid, beta-hydroxybutanoic acid, tropic acid, trethocanic acid.

How to choose the right exfoliant for you?

To choose the right exfoliant, it’s important to consider your skin type and your skin concerns. Choose AHA is ideal if you have dry or sun-damaged skin as it can hydrate and exfoliate dry and dull looking skin. It can be used to minimise fine lines and wrinkles and to encourage the production of collagen. Skin exfoliation with AHA also helps treat dark spots and hyperpigmentation and gives you an even skin tone. You must use a serum and moisturiser after exfoliating to hydrate your skin. Get yourself the L’Oréal Paris Glycolic Bright Skin Brightening Serum to reduce dark spots and give you an even skin tone. The L’Oréal Paris Glycolic Bright Day Cream with SPF 17 penetrates deep into your skin and hydrates it.

L’Oréal Paris Glycolic Bright Skin Brightening Serum

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Choose products for skin exfoliation that have BHA if you have an oily skin type or an acne prone skin. This is because BHAs are oil soluble and can penetrate deep into your skin and dissolve excess oil and dead skin cells. You can get yourself the Revitalift Crystal Cleansing Gel that provides 8 hours of oil control. BHAs have anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce the redness and irritation related to skin that is prone to acne. A difference between AHA and BHA is that BHAs are typically gentler and are an excellent choice for people with sensitive skin. Use glycolic acid essence like the L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Crystal Micro-Essence that exfoliates your pores and skin textures.

Revitalift Crystal Micro-Essence

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How to exfoliate skin?

Skin exfoliation can be done in a few simple steps. Prep your skin by washing it with normal or warm water and apply the exfoliator you have chosen on your face. Rinse it off if it is a cleanser or a scrub and wipe your face with a clean towel.

Now that you are aware about the difference between AHA and BHA, use L'Oreal Paris Skin Genius Tool to identify your skin concerns and help you select the right products for your skincare routine.