What is AHA? Uses and How to use AHA effectively for skin care

What is AHA?

AHAs are acids from fruit, milk, sugar, and plants . The most typical are Glycolic Acid (from sugarcane), Lactic Acid (from milk), Malic Acid (from apple), Citric Acid (from orange or lemon) and Tartaric Acid (from grapefruit). AHAs are widely used in acne treatment and also in skin care products such as toners, lotions, etc.

AHAs are acids from fruit, milk, sugar and plants

The mechanism of action of AHA

AHAs can easily dissolve in water, so they have an effect on the surface of the skin . AHAs are used a lot in acne treatment and facial care because of their ability to regenerate the top layer of skin .

AHAs can easily dissolve in water, so they work on the surface of the skin

AHAs remove the stratum corneum , dead cells in the epidermis by ionic interference between the cells, so that the rough, dull cell layers on the surface of the skin are sloughed off.

AHA helps to remove the stratum corneum, dead cells in the epidermis

In addition, AHA also helps skin smooth and moist by helping cells absorb water faster and more effectively.

• AHA or BHA is the right choice for your skin

What does AHA do?

Uses of AHAs

AHA helps to whiten, smooth and soft skin

When applied to the skin, AHAs can gently soften and buff away this surface horny layer, while stimulating the production of new cells, for brighter and healthier skin .

AHA fades dark skin, improves uneven skin tone, hyperpigmentation, melasma, especially melasma during pregnancy.

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AHA supports the treatment of melasma

AHA is known as the “star” ingredient with outstanding ability to control melanin proliferation on the skin, AHA is effective in helping to reduce melasma, freckles and dark spots on the skin.

AHA supports acne treatment

You can use cream or lotion products that contain AHA in the right proportion. To treat acne scars, it is often necessary to combine lotion or peel form (Peel) with AHA. In particular, Glycolic Acid is considered to have the best ability to improve acne skin.

AHA care for aging skin

Skin aging due to the sun and old age, you can refer to using products containing Lactic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Glycolic Acid (8%) or Gluconolactone at a concentration of 14%, use 2 times regularly. 1 day for best results.

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AHAs help chemically exfoliate dead skin cells

When it comes to exfoliating, people will think of a natural way to exfoliate dead skin cells like using sugar, rice bran, beauty salt…. This is called physical exfoliation.

We can also chemically exfoliate dead skin cells by using a 10% or more AHA with a pH of 3-4. Chemical exfoliants are acidic, so they are very sensitive to the sun. You should perform exfoliation in the evening and use a cleanser the next morning to completely remove dead cells that are pushed up during sleep.

How much concentration of AHA is appropriate?

Thanks to its easily absorbed and less irritating properties, AHAs are commonly used in cosmetics in the form of Glycolic Acid and Lactic Acid in the following 2 groups:

Skin care effects:

• AHA ingredients from 2-5% are used to exfoliate, unclog pores, thereby supporting acne treatment. In addition, AHAs at this level can also aid in the treatment of dry skin.
• AHA ingredients from 5 to 10% work to make skin healthier and smoother, significantly reduce fine lines and help skin become brighter and smoother.
• AHA ingredients from 12 to 15% are used in cases of dark skin and acne scars.

Professional treatment effect:

AHA – usually glycolic acid at a high concentration of 20 – 70% is used in spas, beauty salons, and beauty clinics as a safe peeling product used to treat acne scars. However, when using these procedures, you should choose reputable locations, professionally trained staff to avoid cases of skin damage.

Which form of AHA is better to use?

Based on research on ingredient properties as well as user experience, experts recommend that AHA products are best used when available in gel, cream and lotion form because these forms allow absorption. best penetration.

As for AHAs in the form of cleansers or washing products with water, they will not be effective because AHAs are washed away before they can work on the skin.

AHA products are best used in gel, cream and lotion form

What are the possible side effects of using AHAs?

In addition to the above uses, when using AHAs, you may also experience unwanted side effects such as skin sensitivity to the sun and skin irritation . This sensitivity can be increased by up to 50%, so it is essential to use in conjunction with sunscreen and a thorough shielding during this period.

The use of AHAs and the inclusion of AHAs in cosmetic ingredients are also explicitly regulated by the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) to always be limited to less than 10% .

In addition, the FDA also recommends that, when using products containing AHA , whether the product itself has a sun protection index or not , you should also combine it with a specialized sunscreen product and enhance protection. Protect your skin from the sun as much as possible to minimize the risk of skin damage caused by the sun.

Suggest common AHA products

Alpha Hydrox 10% AHA Oil Free

It can be said that AHA is the most prominent product that makes Alpha Hydrox’s name. Besides the main ingredient is 10% Glycolic Acid, the gel also adds green tea extract, seaweed, vitamin B5 to help maintain the moisture barrier of the skin.

Alpha Hydrox 10% AHA Oil Free

Cosrx AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid (7% AHA)

This product was introduced to Vietnam not long ago but has received a lot of good compliments from users and beauty bloggers, its BHA is also considered the perfect DUPE version of Paula’s Choice.

Cosrx AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid (7% AHA)

Chica y Chico Beta Salic 2.0 (4%AHA)

This is a product from Korea, the ingredient contains 4% AHA from cane sugar and 2% Betaine Salisylate (equivalent to 1% BHA), the lightest of all Happy Skin types. Reasonable price for 1 tube of 30 ml, used for 3-4 months, the product is very suitable for those who are new to chemical exfoliation or have sensitive skin.

Chica y Chico Beta Salic 2.0 (4%AHA)

Paula’s Choice Resist Daily Smoothing Treatment With 5% AHA

This product is a low concentration glycolic acid exfoliant suitable for daily use by all skin types. AHAs are especially recommended for dry, uneven, tanned, and aging skin.

Paula’s Choice Resist Daily Smoothing Treatment With 5% AHA

Paula’s Choice Resist Weekly Resurfacing Treatment with 10% AHA

This is a product that helps exfoliate the skin. The product contains 10% glycolic acid and anti-aging agents, pH about 3.5-3.9. Suitable for all skin types, most suitable for normal to dry skin. The promised effect is improving skin texture, color, and elasticity, reducing wrinkles, and preventing aging.

Paula’s Choice Resist Weekly Resurfacing Treatment with 10% AHA

How to use Aha correctly

You can use AHAs both morning and night, but because AHAs absorb light very strongly , during the day you need to use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.

For those who are using AHA for the first time, it is recommended to use it every other day (3 times a week) and use a small dose to test the skin irritation . Some skin peeling or redness when first used but nothing to worry because this is the reaction of the ingredient when it is breaking old bonds on the skin surface and releasing old cells. The skin will be regenerated and smooth in a few days.

It is recommended to use AHA products after removing makeup. This is the time when the skin reaches its ideal state with a cleansed skin surface, open pores and when using AHAs, the skin will be optimally cleansed, quickly removing damaged cells and “clearing the way”. ” for the next steps of the best osmotic nutrients.

Source: Vinmec Hospital, Hellobacsi.com

So through this article, you have understood what AHA is and its uses, right? Hope you will have more knowledge to better protect your skin.

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