

ALPHA HYDROXY ACID SKIN
Plus, the added benefits of skin brightening, collagen production and anti-ageing mean that these unassuming acids can most certainly improve skin tone, texture and appearance and tackle specific skin concerns. It makes way for newer, fresher skin cells to form and push to the surface, which is definitely good news for youthful, healthy looking skin. Is AHA Good for Skin?Ĭlearing away old skin cells helps to speed up the natural cell renewal process that our skin is continually going through. It’s thought that AHAs help collagen production by stripping away old, dead fibres of collagen, prompting the skin to produce more new collagen. As we age, collagen levels decline, leading to sagging and drooping and the development of fine lines and wrinkles. Collagen is a protein that's naturally present in the skin, helping to keep it plump and youthful. There is also evidence that AHAs can even help to stimulate collagen production. They can also be used to help prevent acne breakouts by clearing the pores of the dirt and debris that can become trapped and lead to acne spots. This is all due to their ability to remove unwanted cellular debris and a build up of dirt from the pores, leading to a clearer, brighter complexion. But not only that, AHAs have the ability to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improve the brightness of the skin and even out the skin tone. The exfoliating effect of these acids makes the skin feel smoother. They work by gently peeling away the very top layers of skin and taking with them, the dirt, grime, excess sebum and dead skin cells that can accumulate and cause dull, uneven skin. How Do AHAs Work?ĪHAs are a type of natural chemical exfoliant (remember, not all chemicals are nasty!). Instead, they work in a completely different way. They’re unlike mechanical exfoliants such as loofahs and facial brushes that manually remove dead skin cells and debris from the skin to make it feel smooth.

What are AHA Products Used For?ĪHAs have various uses in skincare, but the main one is to exfoliate the skin. These kinds of acids are perfectly suited for use on the skin. They're normally plant derived, (but if you avoid animal products, it's alway best to check the label) from fruits, which is why they're commonly referred to as ‘fruit acids’.īut don’t let the word ‘acid’ alarm you, they’re not strong acids of the type you might find in a chemistry lab.
ALPHA HYDROXY ACID HOW TO
What Does AHA Mean?ĪHA stands for alpha hydroxy acid - which, for most of us, doesn’t really help our understanding of what AHAs are or what they’re for.Įver on the quest to simplify skin care and how to best manage our skin (especially if it’s stressed out, acne prone or a little bit contrary), here’s the Sönd lowdown on what AHAs are, how they can benefit the skin and how best to use them… AHA and Skin: What Are Alpha Hydroxy Acids?ĪHAs are a type of acid that can be plant or animal derived.

Take AHA for example, an acronym often used as an abbreviation for beauty products and seen on the packaging of many skincare solutions. We know what they are (even if we don’t always know exactly what they stand for) and where we are with them, the familiar British institutions that they are.īut others are more complicated.

Many, such as NHS, BT, BA and BBC are all fairly obvious. In our daily lives, we come across many acronyms.
