What products contain alpha hydroxy acid?
Alpha hydroxy acids are a group of natural acids found in foods. Alpha hydroxy acids include citric acid (found in citrus fruits), glycolic acid (found in sugar cane), lactic acid (found in sour milk and tomato juice), malic acid (found in apples), tartaric acid (found in grapes), and others.
What is alpha hydroxy for?
Various alpha hydroxy acids are applied to the skin (used topically) for moisturizing and removing dead skin cells, for treating acne and improving the appearance of acne scars, for improving the appearance of photo-aged skin, and firming and smoothing skin.
Does alpha hydroxy acid lighten skin?
AHAs that act as exfoliants, they also work to lighten uneven pigmentation and smooth out skin texture. Lactic acid is the best researched AHA after glycolic acid, and is notable for being gentler, more hydrating, and more effective at treating sun damaged skin.
Is hyaluronic acid an alpha hydroxy acid?
“While hyaluronic acid helps in hydrating your skin, glycolic acid exfoliates dead skin cells,” he explains. It’s one of the safest alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) you’ll find in skincare products—meaning, unlike hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid actually is an acid.
Is Alpha hydroxy a retinoid?
AHAs also work as humectants, adds Dr. Orit Markowitz, an NYC board certified dermatologist and founder of OptiSkin. In other words, they help draw moisture into the skin to keep it hydrated. Retinol, on the other hand, belongs to the family of vitamin A derivatives known as retinoids.
Is alpha-hydroxy acid the same as hyaluronic acid?
Glycolic acid: the exfoliator “While hyaluronic acid helps in hydrating your skin, glycolic acid exfoliates dead skin cells,” he explains. It’s one of the safest alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) you’ll find in skincare products—meaning, unlike hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid actually is an acid.
What Cannot be used with AHA BHA?
A Guide to the Skincare Ingredients You Should Never Mix
- AHAs and BHAs, such as glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acids should never be used with Vitamin C.
- Niacinamide is found with Vitamin C in some multi-ingredient serums as antioxidants, but it’s never a good idea to layer them together.