Alpha Hydroxy Acids Vs. Beta Hydroxy Acids

The fact that beta hydroxy acids are oil soluble makes them especially effective when applied to oily, acne-prone skin. These acids are able to penetrate your skin’s surface through your follicles, sinking more deeply into your skin tissue than alpha hydroxy acids. Not only do beta hydroxy acids help to exfoliate your skin and clear up your pores, they also have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties to help fight breakouts. If you suffer from acne blemishes from blackheads and whiteheads to more severe pustules and papules, beta hydroxy acids might be a strong addition to your beauty arsenal.

The best-known (and most commonly used) beta hydroxy acid is salicylic acid. This BHA is usually derived from the bark of willow trees, and is found in clarifying products from cleansers to toners to face masks. You can find it in our Anti Acne Masks: easy-to-use sheet masks that help to clear up problem skin while keeping it hydrated and supplied with nutrients.

While AHAs and BHAs can work wonders for different skin types, it’s important to keep in mind that these ingredients may cause heightened sun sensitivity in some users. While the FDA has confirmed that these ingredients are safe for use in everyday skin care products, they also recognize that these ingredients can make skin more sensitive to UV rays--potentially increasing your risk of hyperpigmentation, premature skin damage, and skin cancer. In particular, salicylic acid is thought to be a culprit of increased skin sensitivity. This doesn’t mean that you need to cut AHAs and BHAs out of your skin care routine; but if you do choose to take advantage of these ingredients’ benefits, you should take extra care to protect your skin against the sun.

Some beauty buyers (especially those who already suffer from sensitive skin) may find that AHAs and BHAs irritate their skin. Before using any product that contains these ingredients on your entire face, we recommend testing the product on a small patch of skin. Also, make sure to check out the instructions on the product’s label before applying it, and try to avoid using it more frequently than the instructions recommend.

AHAs and BHAs are powerful, natural skin care ingredients--but it’s important to supplement your use of exfoliants with the right toners, serums, and moisturizers in order to keep your skin healthy and hydrated. You can check out our post on streamlining your skin care routine to find more product recommendations for your skin type, or use our online product finder to put together a personalized routine.