No matter which AHA you choose, the strong exfoliating effects make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Wear sunscreen every morning to prevent burns, age spots, and increased skin cancer risks. Glycolic A person should base their choice of skin product on which hydroxy acid is most suitable for their specific need. Lactic acid is another common AHA. Unlike other AHAs made from fruits, lactic acid is made from lactose in milk. It’s also known for its significant exfoliation and anti-aging effects. All AHAs yield significant exfoliation. Still, the effects and uses can slightly vary between types of acids. Your selected AHA should have a maximum concentration between 10 and 15 percent. Apply new products every other day until your skin gets used to them. This will also reduce the risk of side effects, such as irritation.

People who use products containing AHA should regularly use sun protection. Sun protection includes wearing sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and limiting sun exposure. 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. Also, because of AHA’s more aggressive mechanism of action and its effects on collagen, people looking to improve sun-damaged or aged skin might prefer AHA-containing products. Lactic acid, another AHA, is an excellent moisturizer. As its name suggests, citric acid is made from citrus fruit extracts. Its main purpose is to neutralize the skin’s pH levels and to even out rough patches of skin. Citric acid makes a good serum or toner used before applying a moisturizer. It may even help work with sunscreen to provide maximum UV protection. As with using any skincare acids, it's key to keep an eye out for any unwanted side effects or irritation. 'Although salicylic acid is actually a very good thing to use as a cleanser because you can rinse it off and you still get benefits, you probably want to watch out for having too much of it or leaving it on all over the face as it can be irritating to the skin,' explains Dr Emma Craythorne, dermatologist and Founder of KLIRA. What skin types should use salicylic acid?KornhauserA, et al. (2009). The effects of topically applied glycolic acid and salicylicacid on ultraviolet radiation-induced erythema, DNA damage and sunburn cellformation in the human skin. DOI: AHAs work by reducing the concentration of calcium ions in the skin. This promotes the shedding of skin cells at the surface. Salicylic acid is the most common BHA. Concentrations can range between 0.5 and 5 percent, depending on the product at hand. It’s well-known as an acne treatment, but it can also help calm down general redness and inflammation. Because of the reported benefits of hydroxy acids, many skin care companies have developed cosmetic products that include them. BHAs are also designed for daily use, but you may need to apply a few times per week at first until your skin gets accustomed to them. Although BHAs don’t make your skin as sensitive to the sun compared to AHAs, you should still wear sunscreen every single day. This will help prevent further sun damage. Salicylic acid

Salicylic Acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) that exfoliates the skin', explains founder of the Tempus Nu Yu Concept, cosmetic dermatologist and laser surgeon, Dr. Nada Soueidan. 'It is lipophilic which means that it is an oil soluble acid that can penetrate skin and clogged pores.' BHA seems to be more effective for treating skin conditions like acne because of its antibacterial properties.

BHA (salicylic acid): the fastest way to smoother skin

Throughout the last decade, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) have increasingly appeared as ingredients in cosmetics intended to reduce the signs of aging in the skin. More recently, beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), or a combination of AHAs and BHAs, have appeared as ingredients in these skin care products. While both AHAs and BHAs act as exfoliants, it has been claimed that BHAs are effective in reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and improving overall skin texture, without the occasional irritation associated with the use of AHAs. While not as widely known, tartaric is another type of AHA. It’s made from grape extracts, and may help alleviate signs of sun damage and acne. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. The long-term safety of salicylic acid in cosmetics also is being evaluated in studies initiated by FDA and sponsored by the National Toxicology Program. These government-sponsored studies are examining the long-term effects of both glycolic acid (an AHA) and salicylic acid on the skin's response to ultraviolet (UV) light. These studies have determined that applying glycolic acid to the skin can make people more susceptible to the damaging effects of the sun, including sunburn.

Due to the intensive pore-penetrative properties of BHAs, Dr. Sobel suggests that drier, more mature, and sensitive skin types try using an AHA, like glycolic acid, instead to avoid irritation. Abels C,et al. (2011). A 10% glycolic acid containing oil-in-water emulsion improvesmild acne: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. DOI:Glycolic acid provides significant exfoliation. This makes it an all-around treatment for many skin concerns. And thanks to its antimicrobial properties, it may even help prevent acne breakouts.