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Why you need AHAs in Your Skincare

Natural AHAs for Glowing Skin

ALPHA HYDROXY ACID (AHA) EXFOLIANTS

Natural AHAs are water-soluble acids made from sugary fruits or lactose. They help peel away the surface of your skin so that new, more evenly pigmented skin cells may generate and take their place. 

AHA exfoliants are hugely beneficial for dry skin with advanced signs of aging.  AHA exfoliants are proven to smooth wrinkles and fine lines, refine large pores, help with rough, crepey texture, and will leave you with hydrated, supple skin with a healthy glow.  AHAs have also proven effective in minimizing the visible signs of sun damage, sun spots and pigmentation. 

CLEAN CODE TIP: AHAs for dry skin and anti-aging. 

How to use AHAs in your skincare routine

As we have determined AHAs are the superheroes of exfoliation. The skin loving benefits varying depending on the type of acids. When selecting a serum, as a guide select an AHA with a maximum concentration level of 15 percent, using every second day at introduction if you have sensitive skin. 

Select a formulation that has other skin loving ingredients that counteract any irritation due to the AHA. This is one of the benefits of using an organic formulation! 

AHAs can also be present in cleansers, a physical exfoliation or a mask. 

No matter how you incorporate AHAs into your routine, remember that they are a strong exfoliation (think old school dermabrasion) makes your skin more sensitive to the sun. Pick a BB or wear a sunscreen under your makeup. If you have sensitive skin, it is also recommended that you introduce it into your routine every second day and work up to it daily.

What are the different forms of AHAs? 

Look to a formulation that combines these varied forms of AHAs. The many varied forms of natural AHAs include:

Glycolic Acid: is the most common type of AHA and is made from sugar cane. This is an all-round form of AHA for many skin concerns, due to its antimicrobial properties, it helps in the prevention of acne breakouts.

Lactic Acid: is from the lactose in milk, and for centuries it has been revered for its significant exfoliation and anti-aging effects. 

Tartaric Acid: not as commonly used, but like Glycolic, it is a fruit acid, made from grape extracts, and is beneficial in improving sun damage and acne.

Citric Acid: is made from citrus fruit extracts. Its main benefit is to neutralize the skin’s pH levels making it a great ingredient in cleansers and toners. 

Malic Acid: is a type of AHA-BHA crossover. It’s made from apple acids. Compared to other AHAs, malic acid isn’t as effective as a solo ingredient, it is formulated with other acids to improve efficacy of the other acids.

Mandelic: contains larger molecules derived from almond extracts. It can be combined with other AHAs to increase exfoliation. We see this acid used alone to improve texture and pore size.

Our top picks for AHA benefits:

AMALA: Clinical Retexturising Micro Polish $105.00

This dual-action exfoliator combines natural micro-silica beads with sugar enzymes to resurface and clarify skin. Dissolves rough surface cells to uncover clearer, smoother skin. 3% AHA Fruit Complex. This high potency blend of AHA fruit acids dramatically improves cell renewal to help smooth texture, brighten tone, purify pores and minimize the look of lines.

The perfect AHA Mask by Amala

AMALA: Clinical Retexturising Gel Aqua Peel $135.00

Like an instant facial, this gel mask smooths texture and refines pores while replenishing hydration. Resurfaces to smooth texture, refine pores and boost glow.

15% AHA Fruit Complex: This high potency blend of AHA fruit acids dramatically improves cell renewal to help smooth texture, brighten tone, purify pores and minimize the look of lines. Our potent cocktail of natural AHAs contains lactic, glycolic, citric, malic and tartaric acids from Bilberry, Sugar Cane, Orange, Lemon and Sugar Maple. It also works to improve moisturization and collagen synthesis for smoother, brighter skin.

AMALA

Clinical Retexturizing Gel Aqua Peel

$140.00
Rinse off Gel Mask.

Like an instant facial, this gel mask smooths texture and refines pores while replenishing hydration. Delivers supple, even-toned, vibrant skin—without irritation.

Best For: pigmentation and pore clarifying in all skin types.

Volume: 50ml

AMALA: Rejuvenate Skin Perfecting AHA Sleep Serum $285.00

While you’re asleep, this powerful resurfacing serum works overtime to gently, thoroughly exfoliate uneven texture and diminish the look of lines. Retexturizes overnight for smoother, glowing skin. Uncovers smoother, more radiant skin each morning.

BloomEffects Dutch Dirt Mask $74

A skin-purifying, pore-purging powerhouse multi-tasker exfoliating scrub and mask in one. Packed full of botanical plant extracts and fruit enzymes for perfectly purified skin, enhanced radiance and refined pores.

BLOOMEFFECTS

Dutch Dirt Mask

$76.00
Exfoliate. Detoxify. Purify.

A skin-purifying, pore-purging powerhouse multi-tasker exfoliating scrub and mask in one. Packed full of botanical plant extracts and fruit enzymes for perfectly purified skin, enhanced radiance and refined pores.

Best For: oily, combination skin, dullness and uneven texture.

Volume: 60ml

And the Benefits…….

Incorporating an AHA into your skincare routine leads to visibly plumper, more even skin that has a real vibrancy and glow to it.  As we age the skin’s own cell turnover slows, by the age thirty it is recommended to incorporate these super acids into your routine. 

So much talk about AHAs vs BHAs, but…..

What is the difference between AHAs and BHAs? 

Both AHAs and BHAs are types of hydroxy acids. They are found in many different skincare products from cleansers to serums to masks and moisturisers. Their purpose is to exfoliate the skin.  The difference?

AHAs are water-soluble acids, whilst BHAs are oil-soluble acids. 

BETA HYDROXY ACID (BHA) EXFOLIANTS

BHAs are also designed for daily use.  BHAs are oil-soluble and get deeper into the pores than AHAs. They help peel away the surface of your skin so that new, more evenly pigmented skin cells may generate and take their place. 

CLEAN CODE TIP: BHAs for oily, acne prone skin and calming inflammation.  

BHA exfoliants are hugely beneficial for oily acne prone skin. BHA exfoliants are proven to smooth wrinkles and fine lines, refine large pores, help with rough, crepey texture, and will leave you with hydrated, supple skin with a healthy glow.  BHAs have also proven effective in minimizing the visible signs of sun damage, sun spots and pigmentation. 

How to use BHAs

As we have seen with AHAs, BHAs vary in form and skin benefits.

Salicylic acid: is the most common BHA. Concentrations can range between 0.5 and 5 percent, depending on the product at hand. It’s well-known as an acne treatment, but it can also help calm down general redness and inflammation. 

Citric acid: although primarily classified as an AHA, some formulations of citric acid are BHAs, as well. This type of citric acid is primarily used to dry out excess sebum and deep clean the pores. 

Our top picks for BHA benefits

AMALA: Brighten Balancing Toning Essence $115.00

This potent toner and essence duo saturate skin in powerful pro-radiance actives, including brightening Vitamin C and protective antioxidants.  Formulated with Willow Bark Extract, this high-impact source of BHA helps accelerate cell turnover and clarify pores. Amala’s Willow Bark is as effective as synthetic sources of BHA but without any irritation or over-drying.

AMALA: Brighten Pore Clarifying Gel Cleanser $115.00

This power purifier rapidly removes skin-dulling debris to help clarify and refine pores. Nurturing seed oils combine with gentle, deep cleansing actives for a fresh, comfortable complexion.

AMALA

Brighten Pore Clarifying Gel Cleanser

$120.00
Lightly foaming cleansing gel. This power purifier rapidly removes skin-dulling debris to help clarify and refine pores. Gently foams to reveal balanced, hydrated skin. . Best For: deep cleansing all skin types. Volume: 150ml

How to choose an AHA vs BHA? 

Choosing which acid to use comes down to your skin concern and what results you are looking for. If you have dry skin you are best to use an AHA, if your goal is cell renewal and anti-aging an AHA incorporated into your daily routine in the form of a cleanser, toner or serum with a weekly peel will definitely do the job!

If your issues are deeper like problematic acne you will want to use a BHA and incorporate an AHA in a cleanser and weekly polish and mask.  

We see significant skin improvements when AHAs and BHAs are combined together in a skincare routine where oily and acne issues are the concern.  Note though, do not layer AHAs and BHAs on top of one another. These are both exfoliators, so using both can cause dryness and irritation

Clean Code Tip: For best results alternate products by using one type in the morning and the other during your night-time routine. Or, you can use AHAs and BHAs on alternating days. 

AHAs and BHAs share similar benefits. However, as we have seen each ingredient can be used to achieve different skin care goals. 

If you’re looking for an all-inclusive anti-aging treatment, then an AHA may be the best fit. 

If you are looking to calm inflammation, deep cleanse the pores and fight acne, a BHA may be better suited to you. 

Still confused by which one is best suited to you? You can ask us via a complimentary Skype or Zoom Skin Consultation.

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