Lactic acid, another AHA, is an excellent moisturizer. However, it is worth noting that much of the existing research appears gathered from studies whose participants had lighter skin tones.
The safety and effectiveness of these products in populations with darker skin tones requires further study. Products that contain AHAs report several benefits , such as:. AHAs work by exfoliating the skin. Exfoliation sheds surface skin cells. How much a product with AHAs exfoliates the skin depends on the concentration of the AHA ingredient, its acidity, and other ingredients found in it. Using AHAs comes with certain side effects. Most often, these side effects occur in skin peeling products.
Side effects are local, meaning they affect the area of skin where the product was applied. They may include:. Be aware of any warnings on the product label. People who use products containing AHA should regularly use sun protection. Sun protection includes wearing sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and limiting sun exposure. Before choosing a product with AHA, people should speak with a doctor or dermatologist to ensure the product will be safe and effective.
According to the CIR Expert Panel , products containing BHA, such as salicylic acid, are safe if their formulation was designed to avoid both skin irritation and increased sun sensitivity. If the producer of the skin care product expects that the user may experience sun sensitivity after applying their product, there must be warnings clearly displayed on the product packaging.
These precautions include:. Before using a product with BHA, people should speak with a doctor or dermatologist to find the safest and most effective product. Excessive skin irritation may worsen skin conditions and appearance. Products that contain hydroxy acids may also not require daily use, which can help with skin irritation if people need more than one product.
Spot treating the skin with different products may also help prevent irritation to the entire skin. For example, a person can try applying an anti-aging or sun damage repair product on their entire face, but spot-treat areas of the skin with acne with a BHA-containing product. One study reported that 9 out of 10 volunteers who used AHAs over a three-week period experienced significant improvements in overall skin texture.
Professional fillers from a doctor, as well as other procedures such as laser resurfacing, are the only methods that work for deep wrinkles. Try this daily glycolic acid serum by Alpha Skin Care to reduce the look of surface lines and wrinkles. AHAs have anti-inflammatory properties that can help promote blood flow to the skin.
This can help correct pale, dull complexions. Proper blood flow also ensures that skin cells get the necessary nutrients needed via oxygen-rich red blood cells. To improve dull skin and related lack of oxygen, try out this daily serum from First Aid Beauty. Your risk for skin discoloration increases with age. For example, flat brown spots, known as age spots lentigines , may develop as a result of sun exposure. They tend to develop on areas of the body that are exposed to the sun most often, such as your chest, hands, and face.
AHAs promote skin cell turnover. New skin cells are evenly pigmented. In theory, long-term use of AHAs may reduce skin discoloration by encouraging the old, discolored skin cells to turn over.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends glycolic acid for discoloration. A more intense treatment can help, too, such as this citric-acid mask from Mario Badescu. You may be familiar with benzoyl peroxide and other acne-fighting ingredients for stubborn blemishes. AHAs may also help treat and prevent recurring acne. Acne pimples occur when your pores are clogged with a combination of dead skin cells, oil sebum , and bacteria.
Exfoliating with AHAs can help loosen and remove the clog. Continued use may also prevent future clogs from forming. AHAs may also reduce the size of enlarged pores, which are commonly seen in acne-prone skin.
Skin cell turnover from exfoliating glycolic and lactic acids can even reduce acne scars. Some acne products also contain other AHAs, such as citric and malic acids, to help soothe inflamed skin. You can use AHA products on other acne-prone areas, including your backside and chest. According to the Mayo Clinic , it can take two to three months before you start to see significant acne improvements. You also need to use the products consistently—skipping daily treatments makes it take longer for the ingredients to work.
Try an acne-clearing gel to get rid of dead skin cells and excess oil, such as this one from Peter Thomas Roth. Acne-prone skin can still benefit from an AHA peel, but make sure you look for one designed for your skin type. In addition to their own distinct benefits, AHAs can make your existing products work better by increasing their absorption into the skin.
For example, if you have too many dead skin cells, your daily moisturizer just sits on top without hydrating your new skin cells underneath.
AHAs like glycolic acid can break through this layer of dead skin cells, enabling your moisturizer to hydrate your new skin cells more effectively. This helps prevent side effects from AHAs. Daily use products — such as serum, toners, and moisturizers — contain lower AHA concentrations. For example, a serum or a toner might have a 5 percent AHA concentration. Highly concentrated products, such as glycolic acid peels, are used less frequently to reduce your risk of side effects.
To reduce your risk of irritation, the Cleveland Clinic recommends using AHA products every other day. As your skin gets used to them, you can then start applying AHAs every day.
Also use extra caution when going out in the sun. For this reason, it is important to protect the skin from sunlight while using chemical exfoliants.
The FDA recommends using products with:. The AAD recommends that people use a daily sunscreen that is:. Overuse is a potential risk when using AHA products.
While most OTC products containing AHAs are gentle, if a person uses them too frequently, it can cause damage to the skin barrier. AHAs are a type of organic acid that people can use to exfoliate the skin. Over time, AHAs may help to improve skin texture, fade dark spots, and reduce the visible signs of aging. AHAs can increase sensitivity to UV damage, so people will need to wear sunscreen every day while they are using them.
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