Hydroxy Acids used to treat wrinkles

To help you get a clear understanding of what hydroxy acids are, first I want you to know that they are skin rejuvenating products that are most commonly used to treat wrinkles. By “treating wrinkles” I mean that they work mainly as exfoliants by penetrating the top layer of the skin, causing it to shed and make room for the growth of new skin. They are mostly found in moisturizers, cleansers, toners, and masks. It also has been reported that they help to improve roughness of the skin, and blotchy pigmentation.

There are three different types of Hydroxy Acids, so you have plenty of room to decide on which is best for you. I’ll provide some information in regards to side effects, and where these types of acids are most commonly found. On a side note, I recommend that you avoid purchasing acids that are present in cleansers, only because the product must have enough time to absorb into the skin in order to work. If you choose to purchase a cleanser, be sure to couple it with an anti-aging moisturizer to reap the full benefit.

◈Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA): It is very important for you to know that this is the strongest of all three acids. It is obtained from fruit and milk sugars, and the most common happen to be glycolic acid and lactic acid. Below are the 5 major types of AHA’s that are present in most skin care products, and their source:

    ◈ Glycolic acid - sugar cane
    ◈ Lactic acid - milk
    ◈ Malic acid - apples and pears
    ◈ Citric acid – oranges and lemons
    ◈ Tartaric acid - grapes

If you’re looking for an AHA that works really well, stick to buying only skin care products that contain a concentration of 5% to 8%, and a pH of 3 to 4.

Side effects: After you’ve begun using a product that contains AHA, you may notice some skin irritation and sun sensitivity. Common signs of irritation are burning, redness, itching and pain. These symptoms are totally normal, as it is your skin’s way of adjusting to this new product. If the side effects are too uncomfortable, stop using it for a couple of days, then gradually start back by applying it once every other day.

If the irritation doesn’t come back, increase to once or twice a day. To help combat sun sensitivity, use a sunscreen that has UVA and UVB protection.

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◈Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA): BHA’s work a lot like AHA’s, but they’re not as strong, which means that you won’t have as much irritation and sensitivity if you decide to use it. Another important fact is that there is only one type of BHA, and that is salicylic acid, which is naturally found in tomatoes, berries, raisins, almonds, and apricots. If you’re looking for a BHA that works really well, stick to buying only skin care products that contain a concentration of 1% to 2%, and a pH of 3 to 4.

Beta Hydroxy Acids are a little different in that they are able to penetrate oily pores and exfoliate the dead skin that has accumulated inside those pores. Because of this, BHA’s are great to use if you have oily/acne prone skin.

Side effects: Unlike an AHA, you will notice less skin irritation and sun sensitivity, but this is still considered normal for the first week of treatment. BHA’s are less irritating because they contain anti-inflammatory properties, but they penetrate deeper into the pore, providing better results when compared to the other two Hydroxy Acids. Common signs of irritation are burning, redness, itching and pain. If the side effects are too uncomfortable, stop using it for a couple of days, then gradually start back by applying it once every other day. To help combat sun sensitivity, use a sunscreen that has UVA and UVB protection.

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◈Poly-hydroxy Acid (PHA): This acid provides the least amount of penetration compared to the other two acids, and therefore contains minimal side effects. Consider this to be a great choice if you have sensitive skin, but remember you will receive fewer results. Because it is a component of Lactobionic acid, it is found in lactose from cow’s milk.

Side effects: Very much like AHA’s and BHA’s, but on a much smaller scale. Common signs of irritation are burning, redness and itching. To help combat sun sensitivity, use a sunscreen that has UVA and UVB protection.






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