A Handy Guide To AHAs + BHAs In Skincare

A good skincare routine can have many positive benefits. One of them is achieving radiant skin and being able to age gracefully. Maintaining an enviable glow usually requires that you get rid of dead skin. Chemical exfoliants, AHAs and BHAs, are one of many ways to do this. 

The FaceBible, offers a range of cosmetic and skin care treatments, with an emphasis of ethics and safety. Today they’re sharing a handy guide to AHAs and BHAs in skincare and why we need them. 

1. USE LEAVE ON EXFOLIANTS – when applying AHAs and BHAs to the skin, it is advised that you use liquid exfoliants. Scrubs can be harmful to the skin as they tend to contain rough-edge abrasive ingredients that can create small tears on your skin’s surface.

2. APPY AFTER CLEANSING AND TONING – for those wondering when an exfoliant should be applied, it’s supposed to be done after you’ve cleansed and toned your skin. For liquids, you can use a cotton pad to apply it - but remember to avoid your eyelid and lower lash line. Lotions and gels, on the other hand, can be applied with your fingers. 

3. SPF SHOULD ALWAYS BE USED – when using acids, always remember to use SPF as well. Acids can make your skin sensitive to UVA, so you want to keep your skin protected. If not, you could end up with pigmentation as your skin is more vulnerable. 

4. START GRADUALLY – although most AHAs and BHAs are designed to be used on a daily basis, if you’re new to them, limit use to once a week so your skin gets used to the pH change. You could choose to exfoliate every other day if you’re using AHAs, as you don’t want to overuse acid-based products on your skin. For BHAs, you could apply them daily if you find it’s giving you positive results. 

5. BE AWARE OF AFTER EFFECTS – You could find that your skin is burning or going red after use of AHAs. If this happens to you, it usually means you need to scale it down to something lighter and then gradually work your way back up. Begin with testing out acid-based products on your neck before applying them to your face. 

The FaceBible offers a wide range of cosmetic and skincare treatments, to book your consultation visit TheFacebible.com