Reviewed by Souad Charifi Hadj, registered pharmacist nº 2676.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids

Many of you have heard about AHAs, and how they are the solution for spots, wrinkles, dehydration, and lack of radiance in the skin...

In this article, I will try to explain the benefits of these acids for the skin, their origin, and the different types of acids that can be found in the wide range of cosmetics available, as well as how to use them.

AHAs are ingredients of natural origin; we will find them in exfoliants, facial creams, masks, and serums.

Currently, a large part of the AHAs used are of synthetic origin, but I will not talk about those. I will focus on naturally sourced AHAs.

Where do they come from?

There are several types of AHAs:

-Lactic acid is obtained from milk.

-Glycolic acid is obtained from sugar cane.

-Citric acid is obtained from citrus fruits.

-Malic acid is obtained from apples.

-Mandelic acid is obtained from almonds.

-Tartaric acid is obtained from grapes.

What do they do?

The skin has an incredible ability to renew itself by eliminating dead cells, but this capacity is reduced over time due to excessive sun exposure without photoprotection, the use of certain photosensitizing medications, natural skin aging, cellular oxidation, among other factors. This leads to the appearance of wrinkles, spots, loss of skin elasticity and firmness, lack of radiance, dryness, and other imperfections that appear as we age.

This is where AHAs come in. These acids have a magnificent ability to exfoliate (or also called peeling effect) the outermost layers of the skin, promoting the elimination of dead cells. This results in cellular renewal of the outermost layers, stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, improving skin elasticity and firmness.

The result is softer, smoother, more hydrated skin. Wrinkles and fine lines will improve and can even be eliminated, spots will be considerably reduced, the size of open pores will decrease, and skin elasticity and firmness will increase.

In summary, the skin regains a younger, more luminous, and more radiant appearance.

How are they used?

These acids can be found in different types of products, such as facial creams, serums, masks, ampoules, and facial exfoliants.

It is very important to seek advice from a professional, your dermatologist or pharmacist. Each skin responds differently, so be very careful in the case of sensitive and reactive skin, skin with rosacea, or skin prone to acne or atopic dermatitis.

But generally, they are safe products that can be used with complete peace of mind.

It is recommended to use AHA concentrates at night as an overnight treatment, and in the morning, it is essential to use sun protection.

When applying these products, a slight itching and redness of the skin may be noticed, but these are temporary.

Follow the guidelines indicated for each product and discontinue application in case of continued irritation.

What products can you find at Biovardi?

MÁDARA AHA BRIGHTENING PEEL MASK

An essential mask for dull, lackluster, tired skin with spots, impurities, lack of radiance, clogged pores, acne, and signs of aging.

It helps remove dead cells, exfoliate the skin, improving cell renewal, and diminishes the appearance of age spots and fine lines.

It is very effective for deep cleansing, especially for skin with open pores and acne.