When it comes to your face, seeing acne or spots isn’t fun. The fact that there are so many possibilities causing acne, blackheads, whiteheads, or other acne types can make it harder to treat and relieve.

Most Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) are naturally sourced from sugar, milk, and fruit, and they’re gentle and much better for sensitive skin than scrubs.

Physical exfoliants sand the skin’s surface, whereas acids break apart the bonds that hold dead skin in situ without causing collateral irritation. And they have a bonus when used regularly by increasing cell turnover; you’re going to encourage the creation of new collagen, so you’ll see a firming effect over time.

Glycolic Acid

Glycolic acid is an exfoliant that belongs to the alpha hydroxy acid group and has the smallest molecule of the acid group, which makes it easily absorbed by the skin. Glycolic acid is extremely efficient at exfoliating the skin by clearing away dead surface skin cells that build up and clog pores. When these dead skin cells build up, whiteheads and blackheads will form, leading to an acne outbreak. Glycolic acid is outstanding at tackling sun damage and dispersing the pigment at the deep basal level of the dermis where sunspots and melasma are created. Glycolic acid is ideal for mature skin.

Lactic Acid

Another ingredient that you should check out if you're affected by only minor congestion, is the alpha hydroxy acid, Lactic acid. 

However, the main difference between glycolic acid and lactic acid is that lactic acid is gentler and may cause less skin irritation than glycolic acid. Though it is more gentle to the skin, lactic acid is still considered a powerful ingredient that can significantly improve the appearance of the skin.

One of the lactic acid’s key benefits is its ability to exfoliate the skin. Lactic acid can improve the skin’s texture through exfoliation by encouraging the skin to slough off dead skin cells clogging the pores on the skin's surface. Once these old, dead skin cells have been shed, a new, healthy batch of skin cells is generated to replace them. This skin cell regeneration process helps to make the skin appear more youthful and reduces fine lines and wrinkles. In addition, this process can also help reduce the appearance of pigmentation, age-related spots, and/or acne scars. Lactic acid also hydrates the skin by increasing the natural barrier lipids within the outer layer of the skin, which can help brighten the looks of the skin.

The Difference between AHAs and BHAs

There are two different categories of acids families to familiarize yourself with. First up, BHAs, or beta hydroxy acids, are great for acne-prone skin types or people who suffer from congestion. The most common BHA is oil-soluble Salicylic Acid. 

The BHAs help encourage the natural skin cell turnover cycle; they even have antibacterial qualities and help exfoliate the skin's surface and inside the pore.

The second Acid family is water-soluble AHAs which are ideal for dry skin types because they can be hydrating while also exfoliating. Most common include Glycolic Acid, and Lactic Acid, all of which help to exfoliate the surface skin and keep the skin moisturized and plump. 

As we get older, the collagen molecule development slows down, and the skin starts to lose its elasticity, but AHAs help build the needed collagen within the skin, making it tight.  

Choosing BeautiPura® AHAs Products 

If you are looking for a light AHAs skin exfoliation treatment with the stimulation of your collagen, boosting skin regeneration, increasing the skin's elasticity, and providing an anti-aging and skin-soothing Lifting effect, BeautiPura®Ultimate Anti-Aging Sheet Mask may be the right option.