A great option is to use a BHA in the morning and AHA at night to prevent irritation as well. Dr. Kwan shares that some of the most well-known, however, are glycolic and lactic acids. While there are a multitude of AHAs found in skin-care formulations, formulas featuring BHAs aren’t nearly as diverse. Citric and lactic acid are among the most beneficial and popular due to both being compatible and having multiple benefits. If your issues are deeper, like cystic acne or just acne in general, you'll want to use either BHA or an AHA/BHA combination, as it'll be able to better penetrate the issue. Many products make use of both AHAs and BHAs, and though they can cause skin irritation if doses are too high, Markowitz recommends looking for a moisturizer that already has a combination of AHA and BHA for a balanced formula. With the help of Skincare.com consultant Dr. William Kwan, we’re sharing everything you need to know about the difference between AHAs and BHAs and how to know which one is right for your skin type, ahead. Photosensitivity refers to the skin’s ability to tolerate UV … It helps exfoliate the skin to reveal a brighter, more even-looking complexion and combats signs of aging. How to Use the Best Anti-Agers, I Can't Remember the Last Time I had a Zit, and It's All Thanks to This Product, Breakouts Don't Stand a Chance Against This Powerful Skincare Ingredient, Meet PHAs: The Gentle Chemical Exfoliant Cousin of AHAs and BHAs, Meet Gluconolactone, One of the Gentlest Exfoliators You Can Use, Meet Malic Acid, Your New Go-To Exfoliating Ingredient, 10 Pore-Unclogging Treatments That Will Change Your Life, Meet Mandelic Acid: The Nonirritating AHA That Resurfaces Your Skin. Use this easy-to-follow guide to figure out the differences between AHA and BHA and how to choose the right option for your skin. Dr. Kwan shares that some of the most well-known, however, are, and lactic acids. Now, Margaret gets to write about and play with products aplenty—a dream come true. BHA stands for beta hydroxy acid. When choosing between AHA and BHA, it comes down to the way in which you want the products to work along with your skin concerns. BHAs can be found in nearly all skin-care products, whether that’s a facial cleanser or a body cream, like the. © L’Oreal USA This site is intended for US consumers. One of my favorite BHA vs AHA posts I’ve read and I’ve looked up a ton. If you’re looking for a gentle, resurfacing product that can address dark spots, fine lines, hyperpigmentation and uneven tone, we suggest trying the. Is Pregnancy Glow a Myth? You’ll need to up your sun-protection game. "But given the potential drying properties of humectants, which draw moisture from within, their use should be with intent and purpose not as a daily regimen.". , we’re sharing everything you need to know about the difference between AHAs and BHAs and how to know which one is right for your skin type, ahead. It helps exfoliate the skin to reveal a brighter, more even-looking complexion and combats signs of aging. Yep, that's a BHA. Look out for latest stories in your inbox! Salicylic acid is the most commonly known BHA, . This means that AHA can only work on the skin’s surface, while BHA can penetrate deep … How to Choose AHA vs. BHA . It does everything from clearing pores to stimulating collagen production and it reduces the appearance of fine lines, all in an easy, two-step peel process. "This blends two AHAs (glycolic and lactic acids) with vitamin C and hyaluronic acid (HA). When it comes to AHA products, this peel from Dr. Dennis Gross is basically the holy grail. This is helpful because the skin’s ability to do so naturally on its own slows down as we age. AHAs and BHAs can be used to address and manage different skin conditions. For stubborn blackheads, we like this BHA-infused liquid post-toning—it effectively gets rid of excess sebum to reduce blackhead production and unclogs pores. Gio says: September 16, 2014 at 8:05 pm . Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that works to exfoliate the skin. confirms that both AHAs and BHAs are methods of chemical exfoliation to remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. To get some intel, we tapped two board-certified dermatologists for some insight: Kenneth Howe and Orit Markowitz. "For example, an in-office peel could have a substantial impact on the skin with associated downtime, while an over-the-counter cream containing these ingredients will give a more limited effect that takes time to accomplish the desired result," she says. The HA soothes the skin, making the AHAs more tolerable, while vitamin C provides antioxidant activity," says Howe. This toner, which is ideal for combination to oily skin types that are prone to breakouts, features a blend of salicylic acid, lipo-hydroxy acid and glycolic acid. BHAs, on the other hand, are better suited for oily, acne-prone skin. AHAs also help stimulate collage production, making it ideal for those wanting to reduce the appearance of fine lines. Both AHAs and BHAs may increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun. True, our skin goes through a natural exfoliating process daily, but with lack of sun protection and age, that process of shedding tends to slow down—or end altogether. BHA, beta hydroxy acid, is derived from willow tree bark, wintergreen oil or sweet birch.