Unbeatable Skin benefits of Alpha Hydroxy Acid

We all love to look good However, pollution, the sun, a hectic lifestyle, and aging cause our skin to look less than perfect. Dullness, sun spots, and age spots are common skin concerns for most people. Therefore, it is no wonder people look to dermatologists and the beauty industry for excellent solutions that address all these concerns. One such product is alpha-hydroxy acid, which everyone is talking about. Alpha Hydroxy Acid or AHA products are wonder skin products that offer a wide range of skin benefits, ranging from even skin tone to reducing signs of ageing. Scroll through the article to learn about Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) and their benefits for your skin.

What are Alpha Hydroxy Acids?

Alpha Hydroxy Acids are naturally occurring acids or chemical compounds. They can be derived from plant or animal products, such as fruits or milk. AHAs are a popular ingredient in anti-ageing skincare products, as they help reduce signs of ageing and improve skin elasticity and texture.

Citric acid – procured from citrus fruits
Glycolic acid – derived from sugar cane
Hydroxycaproic acid – procured from royal jelly
Hydroxycarprylic acid – procured from animals
Lactic acid – procured from lactose and other carbohydrates
Malic acid – procured from fruits
Tartaric acid – procured from grapes

The Amazing Skin Benefits of Alpha Hydroxy Acid

Here are the benefits of incorporating Alpha Hydroxy acid products into your skincare regime:

Skin Exfoliation: Your skin naturally sheds dead cells and makes way for new skin cells to be generated. As you age, the cell cycle of your skin slows down. So, it leads to the build-up of dead cells that deter new skin cell generation and make your skin look dull. Accumulating dead skin cells also leads to many skin issues, such as age spots, wrinkles, and acne. AHA products are one of the best exfoliating products that gently shed dead skin cells and promote the generation of new skin cells.
Skin Brightening: AHAs exfoliate your skin, breaking down your dead skin cells. This leads to the generation of new skin cells and reveals your new skin beneath the dead skin cells. Your new skin is fresher, brighter, plumper, more radiant, and more elastic as the dull, dead skin cells are shed off.
Boost Collagen Production: To keep your skin smooth and plump, collagen is required. Collagen is the middle layer of the dermis or your skin and is a fibre rich in protein. Once you start ageing, collagen production slows down. The protein fibres break down. Excessive sun exposure can also lead to collagen destruction. All this leads to sallow and sagging skin. So, when, with their exfoliation properties, AHAs remove the upper skin layer or epidermis, they can work on the dermis. The Alpha Hydroxy Acids destroy the old collagen fibres, making way for new ones. This promotes collagen production and may make your skin look tighter and younger.
Reduction in wrinkles and fine lines: Alpha Hydroxy acids are famous for their anti-ageing properties. They work well on surface lines. Regular use of AHA products significantly improves the overall skin texture by reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Reducing skin discolouration: With age, the risk of skin discolouration increases. The discolouration can often be due to sun exposure, melasma, acne scars, or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Skin cell turnover is promoted by alpha hydroxy acids. Your new skin cells are not pigmented or evenly pigmented. With long-term use, Alpha Hydroxy acids significantly reduce your skin discolouration.
Prevent and Treat Acne: Clogging of skin pores can cause acne. Dead skin cells, sebum (oil), and bacteria clog your skin pores. Due to their exfoliating properties, Alpha Hydroxy acids unclog your skin pores by loosening the dead skin cells. With lesser or no clogged pores, acne appearance is prevented. AHAs also reduce the size of your enlarged pores, a side effect of acne-prone skin. New skin cell generation due to the use of AHAs also reduces acne scars.
Improved efficacy of other skin products: Alpha Hydroxy Acids, apart from imparting to your skin their distinct benefits, also help your other skin care products work better. AHAs remove dead skin cells, making it easier for your other skin products to penetrate better into your skin and give better results.
Minimise sun damage: Sun exposure causes substantial damage to your skin, such as tanning, dark spots, hyperpigmentation, or wrinkles. Using alpha hydroxy acid creamminimises the adverse effects of sun exposure on your skin.

Ways to use AHAs

People know Alpha Hydroxy acid products but still wonder about Alpha Hydroxy Acid uses in their skincare routine. You can use AHAs in many ways. Here are the best AHA products to use:

Cleansers
Skin tonics or toners
Face pads
Moisturisers
Serums

AHAs Safety Precautions

As AHAs are types of acids, here are some Alpha Hydroxy Acid before and after safety precautions that you should remember before incorporating them into your skincare regime.

Before using AHAs: Before you start using AHA products, test the product on a small skin patch. In case of any irritation, burning, or stinging, wash off the product and do not use it. You can use the product if there are no side effects.
After using AHAs: AHAs products increase your sensitivity to UV light. So, after applying or using AHA products, remember to use a broad-spectrum and water-resistant sunscreen. Also, don’t overuse AHA products. Remember to follow the instructions while using them. In the event of any signs of Alpha Hydroxy Acid side effects such as irritation, dryness, burning, flakiness, or blotchiness, stop using the product. When you see side effects of AHA products, immediately seek advice from your dermatologist.

Conclusion:

Alpha Hydroxy Acid products work well for anti-ageing skin concerns and improving skin texture. However, consult your dermatologist for the right AHA product if you have sensitive skin or pre-existing skin concerns.

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