“Our skin loves acid because it is naturally acidic,” says Carrie Gross, president and CEO of Dr Dennis Gross Skincare, during an interview with us. Dr Dennis Gross Skincare is one of the first brands to promote incorporating a daily peel into your skincare routine.
But you need to know which type of acid to use depending on your skin type and skin concern in order to see improvement in your skin.
Two of the most common types of acids used in skincare are AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) and BHAs (beta hydroxy acids). What’s the difference between the two? Well, they target different skin types.
AHAs are water soluble. They include glycolic acid, lactic acid, mandelic acid and malic acid among others. They work on the skin surface, loosening dead skin cells that clog up skin and removing them. Suitable for normal to dry skin types, AHAs can also reduce signs of sun damage, such as hyperpigmentation and dull skin tones. They are also good for reducing the appearance of acne scars because they help exfoliate the damaged skin cells. What you need to note is that you should use them before any oil-based skincare, because these would prevent the AHAs from reaching your skin to work.
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BHAs, on the other hand, are oil-soluble. Salicylic acid is the most common BHA in skincare. It is great for people with oilier skin types because it works with your skin’s natural oils to penetrate into skin’s deeper layers. With its ability to go deeper into the pores (unlike AHAs), it can loosen “gunk” such as whiteheads, blackheads and excess oil that have accumulated inside. It’s also said to be a little more soothing than AHAs (even though it can dry out skin) and can be used on skin prone to rosacea. And it works better with oil-based products and is often used to treat acne-prone skin.
Despite their differences, both AHAs and BHAs help improve skin cell turnover, to reveal smoother and more radiant-looking skin. And you have to use adequate sun protection because they do tend to increase skin’s sensitivity to sun exposure. If you’re new to acids, try not to use both AHA and BHA at the same time because they can irritate skin and cause redness. If you have to, use alternately day and night, or once a day, alternating between the two. Or, you can use BHA on your T-zone and AHA on drier areas such as your cheeks.
Here are five AHA and BHA products to try:
1. Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel, $135, from Sephora
Using a patented formula that has a blend of five types of acids that include both AHAs and BHAs, this two-step peel helps improve skin renewal rate to help combat signs of premature skin ageing. Step 1 is the peel. Swipe the cotton pad infused with the acid blend on skin and leave on for two minutes. Then use Step 2 of the pack which has antioxidant-rich active ingredients to nourish, hydrate and rebalance skin. Carrie Gross recommends using this in the morning because the antioxidants help combat external aggressors such as pollutants and free radicals caused by UV rays. There are three other variants of this peel – the Ultra Gentle type for sensitive skin, the Extra Strength one, which is a more potent version for people who have been using acid peels for a while, a Medi-Spa version for peeling pros (from Net-a-Porter).
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2. Indie Lee Gentle Daily Peel, $95, from Sephora
This also has both AHAs and BHAs to exfoliate dead skin cells and dissolve excess sebum. Plus, it has vitamin C to further improve skin radiance, and a blend of plant extracts to soothe, condition and hydrate skin.
3. Kew Organics Sugar Cane Royal Flush Exfoliant, $67.90, from Kew Organics
A blend of AHAs (glycolic acid and malic acid) and BHAs (salicylic acid) from organic sources help diminish the appearance of fine lines, acne scars and enlarged pores while evening out skin tone for more radiant-looking skin.
4. Lancer Caviar Lime Acid Peel, approx. US$91, from Net-a-Porter
This is an AHA peel that uses glycolic acid from pineapple, papaya and caviar lime to smooth and soften skin. The concentration of 10 per cent glycolic acid and 1 per cent phytic acid is considered more potent, and more suitable for people who have used acid peels before. This rinse-off peel also has retinol to help improve skin elasticity and diminish the appearance of fine lines.
5. Skinceuticals Glycolic 10 Renew Overnight, $139
With 10 per cent glycolic acid and 2 per cent phytic acid, this is also suitable for people who are not new to acid peels. You don’t have to rinse off this cream as it has a soothing complex to strengthen skin barrier functions. But if you find it too potent, use it every other night. Skin is said to be clearer, brighter and smoother with frequent use.
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