AHA is one of the familiar skin care ingredients in the beauty community. It helps remove dead cells, reduce acne, improve dry skin and minimize wrinkles. However, overuse of AHAs can cause skin irritation and rashes. So how to use AHA properly? Should I use AHA daily or not? Please join Dermalogica to find out through the following article!
What is AHA?
Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) is a group of acids derived from plants and animals. They are commonly used in many skin care products. You can see AHAs appearing in toners, serums, anti-aging creams or chemical peels.
There are seven types of AHAs commonly used in the skin care industry. Include:
- Citric Acid (from citrus fruits)
- Glycolic Acid (from sugar cane)
- Hydroxycaproic Acid (from royal jelly)
- Hydroxycaprylic Acid (from animals)
- Lactic Acid (from lactose or other carbohydrates)
- Malic Acid (from fruit)
- Tartaric Acid (from grapes)
Of all the AHAs available, Glycolic Acid and Lactic Acid are the most widely used. These two types of AHAs are also less likely to cause irritation. Therefore, most over-the-counter AHAs contain Glycolic Acid or Lactic Acid.
Effects of AHA
Should I use AHA daily or not? Let's take a look at some of the benefits of this ingredient with Dermalogica.
1 - Exfoliate
Over time, your natural skin cell turnover slows down. This can cause dead skin cells to build up. A buildup of dead skin cells can also increase skin problems. For example, wrinkles, age spots, and acne appear.
AHAs are mainly used to exfoliate. Besides, this ingredient also promotes the regeneration of new skin cells. However, not all AHAs have the same exfoliating ability. Exfoliation effectiveness depends on the type of AHA you use. Typically, the more AHAs in a product, the stronger the exfoliating effect. Therefore, whether or not you should use AHA daily is also largely related to the amount of AHA in the product.
2 - Smooth skin
Collagen is an element that helps keep your skin plump and smooth. However, the amount of collagen in the body will decrease when you enter your 30s.
Besides, the harmful effects of sunlight can also accelerate the destruction of collagen. This can lead to skin darkening, sagging and wrinkles.
AHAs can help promote collagen production by destroying old collagen fibers. This makes room for new collagen fibers.
3 - Skin lightening
AHA stimulates dead skin cells to peel off the skin's surface. This helps reveal the new layer of skin underneath that is brighter and smoother. AHA in the form of Glycolic Acid can help break down dead skin cell buildup. Products with Citric Acid will improve skin tone, giving you bright, healthy skin.
However, you also need to be careful about whether you should use AHA daily. Using AHA properly will help make your skin smooth and healthy.
4 - Reduce wrinkles
In addition to the above effects, AHA also helps reduce wrinkles and improve skin surface. However, this ingredient only works effectively on shallow wrinkles on the skin's surface. Therefore, AHA does not have much effect on deeper wrinkles. Therefore, you can choose facial resurfacing to improve deep wrinkles.
5 - Increase blood circulation
AHAs have anti-inflammatory properties that can help promote blood circulation to the skin. Proper blood flow also ensures skin cells receive the necessary nutrients. This helps improve pale, dull skin.
6 - Evens out skin tone
Melasma, acne scars or age spots will increase with age. They often appear on areas of skin exposed to the sun. Such as the chest, hands and face. AHAs promote skin cell turnover, making your skin more even. In addition, you should also carefully research whether you should use AHA daily. This will help avoid irritation and make your skin more radiant.
7 - Treat and prevent acne
Acne occurs when pores become clogged with a combination of dead skin cells, oil (sebum), and bacteria. Exfoliating with AHAs can help unclog pores. At the same time, it reduces the possibility of acne formation. In addition, AHA can also improve the condition of enlarged pores in acne-prone skin.
Exfoliation with Glycolic Acid and Lactic Acid also helps reduce acne scars. Some acne products also contain other AHAs, which help soothe inflamed skin. Such as Citric Acid and Malic Acid.
8 - Increases skin's ability to absorb products
AHA will help products penetrate the skin more easily. Thanks to that, it promotes better skin care effectiveness. Gives you radiant, fresh skin.
Should I use AHA every day?
You should note that how to use AHA depends on the concentration of this active ingredient in the product. Some facial cleansers or skin creams contain AHA amounts of about 1-2%. You can use them every day.
However, if the product contains AHA content of 10% or more, you should only use it 1-2 times a week. For products containing AHA over 15%, you just need to apply it on your skin for a few minutes and then wipe it off.
Any product with an AHA content over 20% should be used under the guidance of a specialist. Using these products at home may cause complications. Such as severe skin rashes or even skin burns.
Side effects of AHA
You may experience minor side effects while your skin adjusts to the AHA. Such as:
- Burning
- Itchy
- Blister
- Dermatitis
To reduce the risk of irritation, experts recommend using AHA every other day. Once your skin gets used to them, you can start applying AHAs every day.
Notes when using AHA
You already know if you should use AHA every day, right? Next, let's learn some notes when using AHA.
You should use AHA in combination with moisturizer. Your skin may become dry after a few days of using AHAs. Applying moisturizer will help your skin become more moist, smooth and supple. At the same time, it soothes the feeling of dryness in the skin.
Also, don't forget to apply sunscreen after using AHA. Exfoliating with AHA will cause your skin to tan when exposed to sunlight. Using sunscreen will help increase the effectiveness of protecting your skin. Thanks to this, you can avoid skin sensitivity to sunlight.
Discover Dermalogica's premium AHA skin care products
Daily Resurfacer night exfoliating pads
Exfoliating sheet with advanced formula containing AHA. This gently removes rough dead skin cells on the skin's surface. At the same time, it stimulates blood circulation and enhances the regeneration of new skin cells.
In addition, enzymes from rice bran extract help improve skin pigmentation. Gives you bright, healthy, smooth skin. Combined with seagrass extract Zostera Marina Extract. Helps provide enough necessary moisture to the skin and nourish healthier skin.
Are you wondering whether you should use AHA daily with this product? Daily Resurfacer with benign ingredients, suitable for your daily skin care steps.
Multivitamin Thermafoliant exfoliates skin and improves skin aging
Multivitamin Thermafoliant exfoliant has an advanced formula specifically for aging skin. The combination product of AHA and BHA is Lactic Acid and Salicylic Acid. This duo helps exfoliate, while reducing inflammation and stimulating cell regeneration. Besides, the product also contains the trio of Vitamins A, C and E in the formula. These ingredients help moisturize, brighten the skin and make the skin firmer. Added to this are white tea, licorice and soy extracts. Thereby preventing the effects of MMPs and AGEs, helping your skin become firmer and minimizing wrinkles.
Dermalogica Daily Superfoliant Activated Charcoal Exfoliant Detoxifies and Smoothes Skin
The product contains Binchotan activated charcoal to purify the skin, giving you a bright, pure skin. Combined with Enzyme and AHA to exfoliate and regenerate the skin surface, nourish smooth skin. In addition, there are Niacinamide ingredients, extracted from red algae and Tara fruit. These ingredients help improve uneven skin tone, increase skin elasticity. Bring you a bright, healthy and vibrant skin. You can read more about Top Dermalogica daily exfoliating powders, how effective are they?
Have you found the answer to the question of should you use AHA every day? Using AHA properly will help you have bright, smooth, healthy and beautiful skin. Wishing Dermalogica readers always radiant with smooth, flawless skin. In addition, you can experience skin health consultation services directly with experts. Please immediately contact Dermalogica hotline 0911370011 to share with experts.