|
About
exfoliants:
Acid percentage is not the only
thing to consider when choosing a BHA or AHA product. With both
products, pH is also very important. A lower pH (about 2.0) will
make more of the acid 'available' - so it is stronger & capable of
better skin penetration. For instance, if you have two 2% BHA
products & one has a pH of 3.2 & the other has a pH of 2.0, the one
with the pH of 2.0 will be stronger & penetrate the skin better. The
same is true of AHAs.
About
BHA:
Beta Hydroxy
Acid (BHA/salicylic acid) is:
-
lipid-soluble, so it is able to deeply penetrate the skin to
exfoliate & help clear the pores from the inside out
-
antibacterial, so it can be extremely helpful in clearing
acne
-
anti-inflammatory, so it can be useful
in preventing/healing ingrown hairs, keratosis pilaris, & the red
bumps you sometimes see after shaving/waxing
About
AHA/lactic acid:
Lactic acid is:
-
water-soluble, so it works mostly on the surface of the skin,
helping with fine lines, hyperpigmentation, & sun damage
-
less likely
to cause side-effects (such as irritation, burning, stinging)
than glycolic acid
-
a humectant,
which increases the skin's ability to hold moisture & absorb
other substances
-
capable of
increasing new cell growth & collagen production
|
|
