Today we start a series of posts about acids. I'll introduce you to the variety of acids - AHA, BHA and PHA. What do they mean, what and who are they for.
Let's start with AHA acids. AHA stands for alpha hydroxy acid. It is a group of fruit acid which includes glycolic, mandelic, lactic, tartaric, malic, citric and other acids. But these are the most popular. Their concentration is different, but the FDA agrees that the safe and permissible concentration in cosmetics is no more than 10%.
Often AHA acids are combined with other active ingredients, for example, lactic acid is often combined with hyaluronic acid.
But how does it work at the cell’s level?
Experiments have shown that AHA acids
increased the thickness of the viable epidermis. These agents stimulate keratinocytes and fibroblasts to produce many substances which improve skin structure and rejuvenation of aged skin.
Also, fibroblasts synthesized collagen - the main structural protein in skin.
Histological analysis of glycolic and lactic acid-treated skin indicated that they can help lose the top layer of old skin cells more gently than the 20% acetic acid-treated skin. We can find out less skin pigment - melanin. In general, skin structure and skin cells which exposed to glycolic and lactic acids looks more intact and healthy.
Benefits of AHA’s:
• gentle exfoliation
• Improving skin texture without irritation
• Reducing the visible signs of aging
• Reducing hyperpigmentation and scars
NB! Use SPF 50+, otherwise, the whole face can become very pigmented, the cells will be damaged and there won't any positive outcome.
