Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA's) have been a hot topic in skincare for over a decade…
… and we all want them in our skincare and on our faces. A type of chemical exfoliant, AHA's have the ability to boost cell turnover rates and remove dulling dead skin, revealing a younger, smoother and plumper looking skin. Plus, they're also great for clearing and preventing skin congestion. What's not to love?
Where do Alpha Hydroxy Acids come from and how do they work?
AHA's are naturally occurring acids derived from plant sugars found in many foods such as sugar cane, milk, citrus fruits and apples. Today, however, most AHA's are made synthetically in the lab.
When applied to the skin, AHA's stimulate exfoliation, removing dull, rough skin and activating cell renewal. The great thing about these exfoliating acids is they not only affect the upper layers of the skin, but impact the lower dermal layers too, helping to keep skin looking and feeling youthful. In fact, research has shown AHA's enhance collagen density and dermal thickness, whilst promoting increased collagen and Hyaluronic Acid levels. The result? Noticeable changes in wrinkles, skin hydration, skin elasticity and tone.
Are all Alpha Hydroxy Acids equal?
Giving AHA's a starring role in your skincare regimen is a no brainer, but knowing what's out there and which AHA's to use may require some guidance.
Glycolic, Malic, Lactic, Tartaric and Mandelic Acid, our skin's spoilt for choice when it comes to the AHA's available to us. Although each of these AHA's deliver on superior skin smoothing, they all have their individual strengths and weaknesses.
At Dermalogica, we use a selection of AHA's, but it's Lactic Acid that we champion above the rest.
What makes Lactic Acid a superstar skin smoother?
To give you the techy details, firstly, Lactic Acid has a slightly larger molecular size compared to other AHA's so it's less irritating on the skin. This means we achieve results, but promote skin health by minimising the risk of irritation.
What's more, whilst both Glycolic Acid and Lactic Acid affect the skin layers in the same way, Lactic Acid blesses the skin with a heap of other skin benefits. Along with its exceptional exfoliating properties, Lactic Acid has the ability to increase skin hydration, strengthen the skin's barrier lipids, as well as improving skin tone. As if this wasn't enough, Lactic Acid has also been shown to make our collagen factory work harder, helping to promote skin firmness and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
Photo Credit: @dermalogicaaus
There isn't one skin type or condition that wouldn't benefit from Lactic Acid – it's your all-rounder, high achiever in the world of exfoliating acids!
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