AHA vs BHA

AHA, or alpha hydroxy acids, and BHA, or beta hydroxy acid, are the superstar chemical exfoliators you've dreamed of. They work very differently, but very effectively.

AHA includes acids such as lactic, glycolic, mandelic, tartaric, malic, and citric. They work by penetrating into your skin and stimulating cell turnover, helping to kick out dead skin along with hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, and rough texture. They're found in every product imaginable- cleansers, toners, serums, moisturizers, masks, you name it, there is probably a product with it in there. You definitely don't want to over use AHAs, too much of it will cause skin irritation, redness, and sensitivity. Like all things in life, too much of a good thing turns it into a bad thing. We recommend using an AHA exfoliant 2-3x a week.

BHA is salicylic acid. Salicylic acid works differently from AHAs. Salicylic acid doesn't penetrate into the skin, but instead it penetrates into the pore, helping to dissolve all the crud- dirt, oil, old makeup, bacteria- out. It can be drying, which is why it's not recommended for dry or aging skin, but it is phenomenal for people with congested pores, oily skin, or acne. Salicylic acid comes in a variety of products, from cleansers to toners to serums, moisturizers, and masks as well. If suitable for your skin, you should incorporate a BHA product into your routine 3-4x a week.