Exfoliation is an important part of the skin care process. People use toners and serums to get rid of dead skin cells and get radiating skin. And each of these exfoliating serums contains AHAs or BHAs. Just like these elements are commonly found in skincare products, talk over AHA Vs. BHA acids; the better choice for skin care is common too.
Here in today's blog, we have explored the difference between AHA and BHA acids. Along with it, we have reflected upon the points to consider while picking the right serum formula for a skin type.
What are AHAs and BHAs for Skin Care?
AHAs and BHAs are the commonly used types of chemical exfoliants in skin care products. These hydroxy acids are derived from natural sources and are used in many skin care products. Ranging from cleansers to masks, these acids are used in various ways to improve the texture of the skin.
Have you ever gone through the ingredient list of your skincare products? If yes, you might have noticed that exfoliating face washes and serums consist of glycolic acid or salicylic acid as an ingredient. That is because these are hydroxy acids. They loosen up the bonds between the dead skin cells and help to bring your brightest face to the front.
Despite being used for a similar purpose, they have some differences. Let's get on to understanding the uses of AHA Vs. BHA acids in skin care.
What does AHA do for Your Skin?
AHAs are also known as alpha hydroxy acids. This chemical exfoliant belongs to the group of water-soluble hydroxy acids obtained from natural sources. Glycolic acid, citric acid, and lactic acid are common examples of AHAs used in skin care.
Over the last few years, the use of AHAs has increased in cosmetic formulations. Therefore they are now produced in the laboratory instead of being naturally sourced. AHAs have become popular because they reduce the signs of aging and improve the overall skin texture.
Common Types of AHA Acids Used for Skin Care
Did you know that sugarcane and fruit juices are great sources of natural AHA extraction? In skin care products, specific types of AHAs are used to solve differences in care problems. The types of AHA acids used in products for skin care are
Among the confusion of AHA Vs. BHA acids benefit in skin care, most people prefer using vitamin C serums. Citric acid is an organic AHA found in fruits. It is used in skin care for exfoliation as well as adjusting the pH of the skin with its antioxidant levels.
Lactic acid is a mild AHA that is naturally found in milk. It promotes skin exfoliation and provides a smooth texture to the skin. The high natural moisturizing factor in lactic acid helps to lock moisture and for hydration.
Derived from sugar cane juice, glycolic acid is another chemical exfoliant used in skin care products. The benefits of AHA serum on skin with glycolic acids are exfoliation and deep penetration. It accelerates the skin renewal process and removes dark spots by balancing the melanin levels.
It is an AHA that is usually found in apples. Malic acid helps in skin cleansing and rejuvenation. It is also used in anti-acne cleansers and serums. To understand the conflict between AHA vs BHA acids, we will now analyze the benefits of BHA serum on skin.
What does BHA do for Your Skin?
In contrast to alpha hydroxy acid, BHA is oil soluble. Beta hydroxy acid, or BHA, is added to skin care products for its anti-inflammatory and exfoliation property. It is derived from natural resources like Willow bark. BHA, such as salicylic acid, is used in skin formulations to avoid issues of hypersensitive skin.
Skin care products with BHA are beneficial for unclogging the pores and removing blackheads. The cleansing properties make it a good addition to skin cleansing products. One thing while picking up products with BHA in the formulation is that it might not suit all skin types. Yet in choice for skin care with AHA Vs. BHA acids, the BHA outweighs the mild AHA acids.
Common Types of BHA Acids Used for Skin Care
In skin care, BHA is synonymous with salicylic acid. The skin care products that claim to contain beta hydroxy acid refer to salicylic acid that is obtained from Willow extracts. skin care formulas contain the following types of BHA acids:
Salicylic acids and their compounds are an effective solution for acne control. The benefits of BHA serum on the skin and specifically the ones that contain salicylic acid, are to reduce acne breakouts. The salicylic acid-infused formation helps to unclog skin pores and exfoliate it. Skin experts recommend using salicylic acid-enriched products to improve skin texture.
Tropic acid is also a kind of BHA used in skin care formulations. It is used for its skin-lightening properties. Moreover, it is used in products meant for treating hyperpigmentation, melasma, and lightening dark spots. Also, it has acne treatment properties like salicylic acid. This acid is used in products for oil control and scar reduction.
These were the types and benefits of AHA vs BHA acids. Now let's move on to the difference between AHA and BHA acids.
AHA Vs. BHA Acids: Which is a Better Choice for Skin?
AHA and BHA skin benefits are similar to one another. Both of these hydroxy acids help with exfoliation, reducing aging, and protecting against sun damage. But certain properties of these hydroxy acids make them appropriate for certain skin kinds.
AHAs like glycolic acid have a stronger effect on the skin. In comparison to BHA acids, AHA formulations lead to aggressive exfoliation of dead cells. AHA might irritate sensitive skin types due to its aggressive action on the skin.
On the other hand, BHA in skin care products has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial action. It is milder than AHAs that are sensitive to ultraviolet sun rays. Besides this, if the AHA concentration is more than 10%, it leads to chemical burns and irritation.
BHA is the choice of most specialists when it comes to choosing between AHA Vs. BHA acids in skin care products. The reason being BHA helps with problems like skin irritation alongside increasing resistance to UV skin damage.
Also Read : A Step Towards Clean Beauty: 5 Reasons Why Plant-Based Skincare Should Get Your Approval
Conclusion
When using AHAs and BHAs skin formulations, the best way to avoid skin damage is patch testing. Both BHA and BHA in skin care products have their pros and cons. So, study and understand what works best for your skin type. It is always a smart thing to begin with lower-concentration products to see if things work out well for you.
Both of these hydroxy acids used in skin care can have different effects depending on the skin type. Therefore, try going for tested or prescribed products for the best results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, AHA BHA or salicylic acid?
Salicylic acid comes under the category of BHA. Salicylic acid and BHA are better for sensitive skin in comparison to AHAs because of their better sun damage resistance.
Is hyaluronic acid an AHA or BHA?
Hyaluronic acid is neither an AHA nor a BHA. It is categorized as a natural humectant that helps to hold moisture in the skin.
What is better, retinol or AHA BHA?
Retinol is a powerful anti-aging ingredient in comparison to AHA and BHA. The choice between these ingredients depends on individual skin type and requirements.
Do I need BHA if I use retinol?
It is not necessary to use BHA and retinol together. However, these ingredients combined in formulation provide better results.
