Beta Hydroxy Acids For Beauty
BHAs are lipid-soluble, meaning that they dissolve in oily skin conditions like blackheads and are therefore more effective treatments for them.1
Salicylic acid, made from willow bark, is the most popular exfoliating and antibacterial component found in skincare products today.
Starting off slowly is best; start out using one or two percent BHA and gradually increase it for best results. This can help minimize irritation while also avoiding over-exfoliation.
1. Unclogs Pores
If you suffer from oily or acne-prone skin, leave-on BHA exfoliants are an ideal way to address this condition. These acids penetrate deeply into pores to unclog them by dissolving excess sebum; unlike alpha hydroxy acid exfoliants which only work at surface level.
Salicylic acid is one of the most sought-after skincare ingredients used as a BHA, made up of compounds found in wintergreen and white willow tree bark, that boast strong exfoliating properties. This helps facilitate natural shedding of dead skin cells while loosening any glue holding them together and helping reduce blackheads/whiteheads appearance. Furthermore, salicylic acid also has antiseptic qualities that reduce bacteria responsible for acne formation or blocked pores.
A 2% salicylic acid serum can make an invaluable addition to any skin-care routine, whether applied under regular moisturizer or mixed into toner, mask, cleanser or face scrub products. Just be careful if using other exfoliators like AHAs or retinol, and increase usage gradually.
A combination of AHAs and BHAs can provide effective skin treatment solutions, from dullness and dark spots to signs of aging. Start slow when increasing concentrations of these ingredients – and don’t overexfoliate! Follow Dr. Pimple Popper’s advice in order to avoid over-exfoliation.
2. Eliminates Acne
Beta hydroxy acids like salicylic acid can be an invaluable ally in fighting blemishes and breakouts, thanks to being oil-soluble ingredients that penetrate skin layers to unclog pores by dissolving sebum deposits that clog them. In addition, these ingredients help address dryness as well as uneven pigmentation due to sun damage.
BHAs have antibacterial and keratolytic properties, meaning they break down dead cells lining pores that lead to acne or comedones (pimples). Furthermore, these agents inhibit P. acnes growth which leads to overproduction of sebum leading to pimple formation.
These ingredients are often included in cleansers, toners and serums to treat blemishes and improve sun-damaged skin. Furthermore, these ingredients can exfoliate and reduce fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating cell turnover to reveal newer skin layers beneath.
TV commercials and social media can make it appear that all you need for clear, healthy skin is an elaborate mix of specialist facial acids from specialty beauty stores – but in reality most people can achieve excellent results using just a few basic ingredients.
First step to selecting an acid treatment that best meets your needs is deciding which kind is water-soluble and best suits your skin type. Alpha hydroxy acids work by loosening dead skin cell glue, encouraging their natural release from their bonds and stimulating newer growth of healthier skin. They’re suitable for most skin types, used in products like cleansers, toners and moisturizers and popular options include glycolic acid, lactic acid and tartaric acid.
3. Soothes Irritation
BHAs can help reduce the appearance of enlarged pores and smooth skin texture, while their inhibited melanin production helps fade dark spots caused by sun damage for an even complexion.
Salicylic acid, derived naturally from willow bark, is one of the most popular BHAs used as an exfoliant. This natural ingredient works by breaking down bonds that hold dead skin cells together so they can be shed off easily; you’ll often find this ingredient included in cleansers, toners and moisturizers that act as gentle exfoliators.
At its heart, tea tree oil’s popularity can be found in its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, along with its ability to penetrate deep into pores where oil, dead skin cells and bacteria buildup may lead to acne blemishes. When combined with antibacterial ingredients it becomes an extremely effective treatment option to both treat existing acne blemishes as well as help prevent future outbreaks.
BHAs differ from alpha hydroxy acids in that they dissolve more effectively when exposed to fats and oils than when applied directly onto water-soluble skin, making them particularly useful for oily and acne-prone types. They penetrate deep into pores to absorb excess sebum, blackheads, and whiteheads – particularly beneficial in those suffering from oily and acne-prone conditions. They can be used by all skin types but especially beneficial for oily and acne-prone types.
When adding BHAs into your skincare regimen, it is crucial that they be used at an optimal concentration and frequency. Start slowly – once or twice weekly initially – so that your skin has time to adapt. Also keep in mind that BHAs can cause dry skin so always follow with moisturizer for proper balance and hydration.
4. Boosts Moisture Levels
AHAs are water-soluble acids that penetrate the skin to loosen glue-like substances holding dead cells together, and allow them to shed naturally. AHAs also brighten dull skin and promote evenness of tone – the most popular AHA being glycolic acid due to its smaller hydroxyl acid molecule allowing deeper penetration (1).
BHAs, on the other hand, are oil-soluble molecules that penetrate pores to remove excess sebum and dirt clogging them (2). BHAs can also help treat blackheads, whiteheads, milia, closed comedones (commonly referred to as closed comedonal acne), rough or bumpy textures as well as conditions such as psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis and rosacea (3).
Salicylic acid is a popular component of skin-care products and is found in salix alba, wintergreen and white willow bark extracts. Derived from these sources, salicylic acid offers powerful exfoliation benefits and anti-inflammatory effects; in particular, softening hardened cells on the surface of the skin while loosening any “glue” that holds them together and gently dislodging “hardened glue”, thus relieving dry flaky skin conditions such as psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis symptoms (3). Additionally, unclogged pores may reduce sebum production (4).
Salicylic acid can be drying, so it’s essential to use a hydrating cleanser in combination with it (5). As salicylic acid may increase sun sensitivity, use an SPF 30+ broad spectrum sunscreen containing avobenzone, titanium dioxide or zinc oxide for sun protection (6). If harsh exfoliants don’t appeal, try Paula’s Choice Clarity Cream which features both exfoliating AHAs and oil-zapping BHAs with an outstanding 4.8 star rating from Sephora!
5. Reduces Wrinkles
Skin is an incredible organ that is capable of amazing feats on its own, yet we all require additional support now and again. No matter your problem – whether acne, dryness or wrinkles – there’s probably an effective solution available on the market that can assist. Finding one tailored to your individual needs and then using it regularly should achieve maximum effectiveness.
Hydroxy acids can provide extra support in helping to diminish fine lines and wrinkles while improving skin tone and texture. You’ll find these acids in cleansers, serums, moisturizers and more; their action involves breaking bonds on the surface of skin to shed dead skin cells without irritation while simultaneously increasing cellular turnover for newer skin and diminishing fine lines and wrinkles.
Alpha hydroxy acid exfoliants such as glycolic or lactic acid are well known for their ability to brighten skin complexion and smooth rough areas, but beta hydroxy acids go even deeper into pores to unclog congested pores for clearer complexion. Furthermore, beta hydroxy acids also offer great treatment options for dry, flaky skin types and can even work effectively against oily breakouts in oily skin types.
Some of the most widely-used and effective BHAs include salicylic acid, found both over-the-counter acne treatments as well as in high-end skincare. Trethocanic acid, another BHA that may not be as widely-used but still works effectively is Trethocanic Acid; additional BHAs include Hydroxypropyl Methycellulose and Betaine that may both be found in different skincare products for different reasons.
