Do you think skincare acids are just harmful and they can’t bring any benefit to you? We’d recommend that you should change your perception because there are plenty of acids that can make your skin more beautiful and attractive.
Skincare with acids?
We’d recommend that you should change your perception because there are plenty of acids that can make your skin more beautiful and attractive. Does that sound surprising and strange? In that case, the following information is going to be very helpful for you. In this article, we’re going to talk about different types of acids that are helpful for your skin. So, let’s get into the chemistry!
Glycolic Acid
A number of skincare products contain glycolic acid as it’s an alpha hydroxyl acid. The great thing about glycolic acid is that it can reduce dark spots, wrinkles, and fine lines as well. And it gently exfoliates the skin. The glycolic acid also helps to even out the skin tone while improving the skin texture and thickness. It’s often used to treat hyperpigmentation, acne, and acne scars.
No matter what type of skin you have, you can use it without worrying about any side effects. However, we recommend consulting a dermatologist if you have sensitive skin.
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid has comedolytic properties due to which it can unclog the skin pores by going deep into them. Moreover, it has the ability to dissolve dead skin cells. We know it to be the perfect treatment for acne and comedones. We recommend this type of acid treatment for oily and acne-prone skin.
Azelaic Acid
Azelaic acid is an excellent exfoliator and it naturally occurs on your skin. It has anti-inflammatory properties and it’s a strong option for treating acne. It can reduce skin pigmentation effectively. This acid can also be helpful in reducing the symptoms of rosacea. Azelaic based acids are recommended for all types of skins.
Mandelic Acid
Mandelic Acid is a magical treatment for wrinkles, acne, hyperpigmentation, and melasma can also improve the elasticity of your skin to reduce the signs of ageing. The Mandelic Acid group is ideal for sensitive skin as it takes time to show the results. Furthermore, it increases sebum production which it’s considered to be perfect for dry skin. However, it’s not suitable for oily skin at all.
Lactic Acid
Lactic acid is a gentle exfoliator. A common acid that can ultimately make your skin smooth while improving its firmness. Lactic acid is the perfect option for those who want to moisturize the dry skin. It’s also proved to be helpful for preventing wrinkles and fine lines.
How to Pick the Right Skin-Care Acid for Your Concerns
1. Hyaluronic Acid
If you’ve ever seen people rave on Instagram or Reddit about products that give them dewy skin, it’s probably because of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, meaning it helps skin attract and retain moisture. Jacqueline Schaffer, M.D., founder of Schique Beauty, tells SELF that hyaluronic acid is naturally produced in the body, and is what helps gives our skin a youthful glow.
As we age, the amount of hyaluronic acid our body produces decreases, which can leave us with duller-looking skin. Products containing hyaluronic acid can improve the skin’s ability to absorb and hold water to keep it looking plump and hydrated, Dr. Schaffer says, which is why she recommends incorporating hyaluronic acid serums into your nighttime skin-care routine, about three or four times a week. It’s generally well tolerated by most skin types.
2. Alpha hydroxy acid (AHA)
Alpha hydroxy acids are acids derived from food and plant sources like sugar, milk, and fruits. There are several different types of alpha hydroxy acids used for skin care, like citric (derived from citrus fruits), mandelic (derived from plants), or lactic acid (derived from milk), but the most common one is glycolic acid (derived from sugar). Sejal Shah, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and founder of SmarterSkin Dermatology, tells SELF that because of their exfoliating properties, AHAs are a great option for skin brightening and improving mild textural issues like hyperpigmentation from sun exposure. Note that since AHAs are water soluble they don’t penetrate the pores as deeply, so they’re best for addressing surface skin issues. Generally, AHAs are pretty well tolerated by most skin types, but experts say that people with sensitive skin should use AHAs carefully since they can be potentially irritating.
3. Salicylic or beta hydroxy acid (BHA)
Unlike AHAs, beta hydroxy acids bind to oil, not water. The most common BHA for skin care is salicylic acid, which works as a deep exfoliator in your skin. “Because it’s oil-soluble, salicylic acid is able to break through the buildup of bacteria, oil, and dead skin cells in the pore lining and dissolve it, which unclogs pores and can help prevent breakouts from happening,” Dr. Schaffer explains.
4. Vitamin C or ascorbic acid
Vitamin C (or ascorbic acid) is a powerful antioxidant found in serums, exfoliants, and moisturizers. Like other antioxidants, vitamin C helps protect the skin from free radical damage from environmental factors like pollution or the sun. “It can also prevent signs of aging by boosting collagen synthesis and brighten and even skin tone,” Dr. Shah says. She recommends using it in serum form in the morning before applying moisturizer and sunscreen (remember to always apply products from thinnest to thickest). Vitamin C is generally well tolerated by all skin types, and works well if you’re looking to address hyperpigmentation concerns.
Our experts recommend keeping an eye out for a specific type of vitamin C, tetrahexyldecyl (THD) ascorbate, which is a stable form of ascorbic acid. Some experts consider it the most effective form of vitamin C for skin care since it’s fat-soluble and can penetrate more deeply than water-soluble forms in order to stimulate collagen, but more research is needed to confirm this theory. Also, some experts say that since THD ascorbate is stable, the formulation may last longer than vitamin C that is in active form. In any case, many companies that use ascorbic acid (the active form of vitamin C) have stabilized it in their formulations, although you should still be careful when storing and handling the product by limiting its exposure to air and light so it doesn’t oxidize quickly.
5. Retinoic acid
Retinoic acid is a vitamin A derivative that helps increase collagen production and stimulate cell turnover. Over the counter retinol products, like the CeraVe Skin Renewing Cream Serum, $10, are converted to retinoic acid when you apply them to your skin. Prescription products, such as Retin-A, contain retinoic acid so that no conversion is required (as such, they are stronger, harsher, more effective, and more expensive).
After sunscreen, many dermatologists say that retinoic acid is one of the best products for aging skin. “It’s so effective in keeping your skin looking youthful and goes directly to stimulate collagen,” .
What you need to know about Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acid is a colorless and odorless crystal that is highly soluble in water.
It was first created by German and Russian scientists in the mid 1800s.
Since then it has been used in several industries including the textile industry and in medicine for skin care.
When you use it on your skin, Glycolic Acid is a great exfoliant. Therefore, if you have dull-looking skin that you would really like to get rid of, a product that contains Glycolic Acid would be good for you.
Apart from exfoliation, Glycolic Acid also promotes natural skin cell turnover. This means it enhances the production of brand new skin cells so that you can enjoy healthier, younger-looking skin.
If you have a lot of uneven coloring in your skin, Glycolic Acid is good at helping to even the tone of your skin.
But it is important to note that you don’t want to use a high concentration of Glycolic Acid.
In fact, a 1:10 dilution of Glycolic Acid is enough to provide the effects we just discussed above.
Our Glycol 10 Renew Overnight product contains 10% of Glycolic Acid which is the perfect concentration for your skin needs.
In September, you can snag Glycol 10 Renew Overnight for 20% when you use the coupon code GLOW in our online store (or when you stop by the office).
Create your night time skin care routine
There are 3 main steps to a great skin care routine.
- Cleanse – This usually involves washing your skin and removing any make-up, sweat and oils that have built up over the course of your day
- Moisturize – Put the moisture back in your skin by applying an external moisturizer so your skin cells are nice and supple
- Protect – This is especially useful for the day time but is useful for the night time too.
The Glycol 10 Renew Overnight is great for the last two steps of a night time skin routine.
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