At first, the idea of putting an ‘acid’ on your face may not be appealing. Yet we are talking about one of the hottest ingredients in skincare. Acid can give your skin the ultimate glow. Let us take you back to chemistry class. Acids react in certain ways when applied to a surface, such as a metal. This also happens on your skin: the acid you apply causes a reaction, such as releasing dead skin cells. And there’s more that applying acid can do for your skin.
Acids have become very important in facial care because their benefits for the skin are enormous. When it comes to (fruit) acid peels, the good news is that they can do wonders for your skin (if you use them correctly). Not only do acids help against dull skin, pimples, fine lines, pigmentation, and blackheads will also disappear like snow in the sun if you add the right acids to your skincare routine.
Glycolic acid
Glycolic acid is an AHA recommended by many dermatologists and skin care experts for its proven effectiveness in improving skin texture and reducing signs of aging. Glycolic acid has a smaller molecular size than other AHAs, meaning it can penetrate deeper into the skin and therefore be more powerful. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin firmness and elasticity, and stimulate collagen production.
In addition to these anti-aging benefits, glycolic acid can also help reduce hyperpigmentation. It works by exfoliating the top layer of the skin and accelerating cell turnover, reducing melanin production. This can help reduce dark spots and sun damage on the skin.
Malic Acid
Malic acid is another commonly used AHA in skin care products. It is extracted from various fruits, including apples, pears, and cherries. Like other AHAs, malic acid has an exfoliating effect on the skin. It helps remove dead skin cells, resulting in smoother and brighter skin.
Moreover, malic acid is known for its moisturizing properties. It can hydrate and nourish the skin, which can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The skin looks healthier and younger. Another important property of malic acid is its ability to reduce hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmentation occurs when the skin produces too much melanin, resulting in dark spots or discolorations. Malic acid can reduce melanin production, making the skin more even and radiant.
Lactic acid
Lactic acid is a so-called alpha hydroxy acid, abbreviated as AHA. It is a mild exfoliating acid extracted from milk and is used in skincare products for its many skin benefits. One of the most important properties of lactic acid is its moisturizing effect. It can retain moisture in the skin and therefore improve hydration. This is especially beneficial for people with dry skin as it can help reduce dryness lines and flaking
Mandelic acid
Mandelic acid is yet another type of AHA used in skin care. It is extracted from bitter almonds and is known for its exfoliating properties. Mandelic acid can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin texture, and reduce hyperpigmentation.
What sets mandelic acid apart from other AHAs is that it also has anti-inflammatory properties and is therefore suitable for sensitive skin. It can help reduce redness and irritation while still being effective at exfoliating the skin.
Mandelic acid is suitable for all skin types but is especially useful for sensitive and acne-prone skin. However, it can still be irritating to some people, so it is important to test the product on a small area of the skin first before applying it to the entire face.
Salicylic acid
Natural salicylic acid is extracted from the bark of the willow tree. It is a so-called beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) that is often used in skincare products for its exfoliating properties. Salicylic acid works by removing the dead skin cells on the skin and cleansing the pores, leaving the skin looking smoother and healthier.
Salicylic acid peels are chemical peels that use salicylic acid as the active ingredient. During a salicylic acid peel, a solution containing a certain concentration of salicylic acid is applied to the skin and left on the skin for a certain time before being rinsed off. The concentration of the salicylic acid solution may vary depending on the desired results and the sensitivity of the skin. In general, AHAs are suitable for all skin types and BHAs are suitable for oily and acne-prone skin.
Azelaic acid
This acid is found in wheat and barley but is also produced by certain fungi on the skin. We have good news for people with celiac disease because the azelaic acid that you can buy is synthetically made. It is mainly used to reduce certain skin problems, such as rosacea and pigmentation. Skin irritation, dry skin, and redness are a few side effects that can occur. Be careful when using peptides, retinoids, and vitamin C.
The anti-inflammatory properties also make this the product of choice if you suffer from acne. It promotes cell renewal, reduces inflammation, and kills the bacteria that lead to pimples.
Citric acid
You can find citric acid in citrus fruits such as lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruits. It acts as a chemical exfoliant and dissolves the ‘glue’ that makes dead skin cells stick to the skin. It promotes cell renewal, unclogs pores, evens the complexion, and improves skin texture.
People with oily skin in particular benefit from the use of citric acid. The excess fat dries out and leaves you with a clean and pleasant feeling. Furthermore, the acid contains a lot of protective antioxidants that ward off external factors such as UV radiation and pollution and keep the pH level of the skin stable
Ferulic acid
This powerful antioxidant is found in the cell walls of tomatoes, apples, oranges, grains, peanuts, and rice bran. Ferulic acid reduces cell damage and is therefore used to reduce the formation of fine lines and wrinkles, keep the skin firm, reduce inflammation and redness, and fade and prevent dark spots.
Research is also being conducted into whether ferulic acid prevents cell mutations that lead to skin cancer. However, that has not yet been confirmed. The acid is also not a substitute for sun protection.
Hyaluronic acid
This hydrating ingredient attracts water from the environment and stores it in the upper layers of the skin. The molecules can hold up to 1,000 times their weight in water, keeping your skin hydrated all day long. Due to its ‘ plumping ‘ effect, it can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Hyaluronic acid is a natural product that can be found in bones, cartilage, lips, weights, and tendons. The chance that you will react badly to it is therefore minimal.
Kojic acid
Kojic acid is a natural antioxidant commonly found in mold, yeast, and rice. It is used as a skincare product to reduce dark spots, as well as other skin discolorations and aging. This results in a brightened complexion. It also protects against UVA and UVB radiation.
L-ascorbic acid
This acid is also referred to in products as vitamin C. It is an acid that has many benefits. For example, it reduces redness, hyperpigmentation, and skin aging. It hydrates, promotes the production of collagen and elastin, protects against sun damage, soothes sunburn, and promotes wound healing. In addition, it also brightens the complexion. Care should be taken if you buy this product, look for a dark bottle. The effect of vitamin C can be reduced if it is exposed to light or air.
Retinoic acid
Retinoic acid falls under the group of retinoids, also known as vitamin A acids. It settles under the outer layer of the skin and neutralizes so-called free radicals that have stuck there. It boosts the production of elastin and collagen, which reduces fine lines, wrinkles, and enlarged pores. The acid is also used to treat acne and hyperpigmentation, even if this is the result of sun damage. Finally, it improves skin texture and complexion.
Tartaric acid
Tartaric acid is found in many plants, including grapes, citrus, bananas and tamarinds. In skincare products, it removes the top layer of dead skin cells and thus brightens the complexion. In addition, it provides the skin with hydration. The acid is rich in antioxidants that you need to protect the skin against external factors such as UV radiation and pollution.
Another nice advantage of the use of tartaric acid ensures better absorption of other skin products. Because the product makes the skin more sensitive to UVB (and therefore sun damage), it is recommended to only use it in the evening.
Some frequent mistakes
So far the good news is that there are also disadvantages to the use of acids. They can cause skin irritation. So there are some things to take into account if you want to give them a chance. Here is a list of common mistakes for applying acid to the skin.
You start too enthusiastically
Getting too enthusiastic about exfoliating can have the opposite effect on your skin’s health. Especially for sensitive skin. Therefore, be careful with stronger acids such as Glycolic Acid and Salicylic Acid, as these can cause redness and irritation and damage the skin barrier.
You don’t use SPF
This is a must anyway, but especially if you use active ingredients in your skincare routine, such as AHAs. Alpha hydroxy acids have a peeling effect, which means that they loosen adhered, dead skin cells from the epidermis. This reduces the natural protection of the skin against the sun. So always use sunscreen as the last step in your skin routine.
You use it every day
With AHAs, it’s better to adhere to the ‘less is more’ credo, right in the beginning. Build up use slowly so that your skin can get used to it. For example, start with once a week. Also, give your skin some rest in between. So finish a jar or bottle, and then stop for a month before opening a new one.
You mix acids with other active ingredients
Be careful with cocktails made from different active ingredients. This way, your skin quickly gets an overdose and it is therefore counterproductive again. This can cause breakouts and skin irritation.For example, avoid using a product with lactic acid after a glycolic acid toner,Vitamin C also does not mix well with AHAs.
You are not following the instructions properly
It is super important to read the instructions on the product packaging carefully. For example, if it is a mask based on (fruit) acid, check carefully how long you can leave it on your face. Failure to do this can cause damage to the skin’s hydrolipidic barrier.
You think a product is doing its job if it stings the skin
This myth is widespread, but I believe your daily skincare routine shouldn’t hurt. A tingling sensation or a little bit of stinging skin is not that bad, but if your skin starts to burn and sting, it is better to stop using it. Know when to stop and give your skin a rest if it is irritated.
You don’t know which type of acid is suitable for your skin type
It’s important to know which type of acid is right for your skin: BHAs for blemishes, lactic acid for sensitive skin, etc. If you’re a newbie to acids, start with a less strong variety to help tone your skin. get used to it.
final words
Apply acid to your face?. It sounds crazy and even a bit dangerous, but with the right products for your skin the results can be amazing. How about radiant skin, fewer visible imperfections and an improvement in the condition and structure of your skin? Excellent results and the reason why acids for home use are a big trend in the beauty world. But which products are exactly suitable for what? And how do you make them part of your beauty routine? One should be very careful about choosing the right product for skincare routine. The most important thing should be consulting a doctor or dermatologist for the skin condition and choosing an acid.
