Skin Saviours: AHAs & BHAs

In the final part of our Skin Saviour blogs, we’ll be focusing on AHAs and BHAs, what they are and their benefits, whilst answering frequently asked questions such as, what’s the best acid for your skin?

As we age and after prolonged exposure to the sun, our skin’s cell turnover and natural exfoliating ability slows down. Skin can begin to look and feel dry, and lack in firmness. It can become more wrinkled, lined in appearance and start to develop an uneven colour or tone.

Liquid exfoliators containing AHAs/BHAs provide gentle yet highly effective exfoliation to help reverse the clock and give skin some much needed TLC. But, with so many products available, you may find yourself asking, what’s the best acid for your skin?

To help you out, we’ve put together some AHA/BHA basics, benefits and our top product recommendations…

What are AHAs?

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), such as glycolic acid, are incredibly beneficial to the skin. AHAs work to gently exfoliate dead skin cells from the surface of the skin (the epidermis) and are suitable for most skin types.

Glycolic acid is a great addition to any skincare regime. It gently eliminates dead skin cells, revealing brighter, younger looking skin. Fine lines are reduced and uneven skin tone and pigmentation is greatly improved.

What are BHAs?

Beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), such as salicylic acid, not only work on the surface of the skin, but also penetrate deeper into the pores, helping to tackle blemishes and excess oil.

Salicylic acid is oil-soluble, making it the go-to acid for treating acne or blemish-prone skin. Skin texture is improved, and excess oil is reduced, leaving skin healthy and feeling fresh.

Please remember…

Products containing AHAs and BHAs may increase the skin’s sensitivity to the sun and increase the risk of sunburn. The team at the Dr Tanja Phillips Medical Aesthetic Clinic recommend that you apply SPF50 sun protection every day, and limit your sun exposure while using these products.

Heliocare 360º SPF50+ Oil Free Gel is our must-have daily sunscreen, available in natural as well as tinted! Dr Tanja’s personal go-to is Heliocare 360º SPF50+ Oil Free Gel in the colour bronze. You can shop the full range here.

Our team recommendations

ZO Skin Health Complexion Renewal Pads

These moistened toning pads containing glycolic acid help to minimise surface oil and dirt, whilst clearing pores clogged with dead skin cells by exfoliation:

• Dual-action exfoliation removes dead skin cells to prevent clogged pores
• Reduces oiliness and minimises surface oil
• Calms and soothes irritated skin
• Glycolic acid, a proven epidermal exfoliant.
• Botanical extract blend, has properties to soothe skin and reduce redness whilst also providing antioxidant benefits

ZO Skin Health Oil Control Pads

Oil control pads are a maximum-strength acne treatment to clear acne and prevent new breakouts, whilst fruit extracts help control oil and minimise pore size. Glycolic and mandelic acids exfoliate and smooth skin, whilst plant extracts provide relief from irritation. These pads also offer anti-inflammatory benefits, helping to reduce a flushed complexion induced by acne:

• Maximum-strength acne solution (2% salicylic acid) provides powerful treatment to control and reduce acne
• A combination of proven exfoliants works to keep pores clean
• Specialised extracts target oily and shiny skin and in addition help to minimise pore size
• The scrubbing effect of the pad effectively removes dead skin cells
• Pads contains urea to balance hydration and promote a healthy skin barrier
• In addition, cooling agents soothe the skin irritation caused by acne
• Its multi-antioxidant complex prevents future skin damage and minimises the signs of ageing

ZO Skin Health Exfoliation Accelerator

This liquid exfoliator contains a 10% glycolic and lactic acid complex that removes dead skin cells and stimulates cell renewal. An aloe, green tea and chamomile blend provides calming and soothing benefits:

• Gentle yet effective exfoliation of dead skin cells helping to increase skin cell regeneration
• Helps soothe and support skin
• Contains Vitamin A and Vitamin E, these antioxidants are added to help prevent future damage to the skin
• Advanced anti-irritant and moisturising properties help to soothe and heal damaged skin

ZO Skin Health Exfoliating Cleanser

This daily cleanser and exfoliant combination targets excess oil leaving the skin feeling clean, but not stripped and dry. Jojoba beads in this exfoliant cleanser deposit nourishing lipids to boost hydration and skin softness, whilst helping to unclog pores and stimulate cell renewal:

• Contains multiple foaming surfactants to remove oil and impurities from the skin
• Targets excess sebum in oily skin
• Contains BHAs to chemically exfoliate dead skin cells
• Provides antioxidant protection to neutralise free radicals
• Helps to calm and soothe inflamed and irritated skin

Hopefully we’ve answered your questions surrounding AHAs and BHAs, and in particular, what’s the best acid for your skin? At the Dr Tanja Phillips Medical Aesthetic Clinic, we provide free skincare consultations, ensuring our patients begin their skin health journey safely and with confidence.

If you have further questions about AHAs/BHAs or would like to learn more about the products discussed in this blog, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.