Acids | The Skincare Guide

Skincare regimes have become quite the topic of conversation in recent years. Written about in the glossies, spoken about at events and posted on social media, it’s hard to escape the ever-growing importance of looking after your skin. Skincare is becoming just as relevant as the makeup industry and especially the acids on offer.

With sales of skincare products rivalling the make-up biz, we’ve never looked so healthy, dewy and radiant. However, it's not uncommon to feel like you need a chemistry degree to understand all the talk of AHA, BHA and retinoids. If you're in need of a simple skincare guide to acids, we’re here to break it down for you.

Firstly, it’s important to understand the difference between the types of acids to use in your regime. Both AHA (alpha hydroxy acids) and BHA (beta hydroxy acids) are used in skin care products and both serve different purposes for different skin types.

AHA

BHA

Retinoids

Retinoids derive from the Vitamin A family which are particularly important for the health of skin. Famous for its anti-ageing properties, retinol comes in many different strengths which work best depending on your skin type. If you have acidic skin with a low PH, retinol probably isn’t the best option for you, however, it works well on all other skin types to combat signs of ageing as well as reducing pore size. Paired with other antioxidants, retinol has also been known to help your skin fight against pollution. Use acid products in your morning skincare regime and retinol before you go to bed as retinol can break down when exposed to the sun.

Hyaluronic Acid

Great for hydration, hyaluronic acid can hold 1,000 x its weight in water and is frequently used in skincare products to help with moisture, and plumpness and to increase the suppleness of skin.

Amino Acids

Amino acids possess hydrating and antioxidant properties, they can also help to strengthen the skin's natural defences in turn lowering the impact of environmental damage to your skin.

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