You've heard about AHA vs BHA. You know – at least vaguely – that these products are great for exfoliation. But how do they work? What’s the best form of each? And how much do you need for it to be effective? Here’s everything you need to know about AHA vs BHA so that you can enjoy your best skin possible every day.
What Are AHA and BHA: The Basics
AHA vs BHA, both are the most common ingredients used for skin care products. Skincare products with AHA (alpha hydroxy acids) and BHA (beta hydroxy acids) contain chemical exfoliants to remove dead skin cells from your skin layer.
AHA and BHA have anti-aging properties – like smoothing fine wrinkles and enhancing skin texture. When AHA and BHA skin exfoliants are applied excessively for skincare, they can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.
WHAT DO AHA AND BHA HAVE IN COMMON?
If you have dry skin, you should use an AHA product as it feels more gentle on the skin. On the other hand, if you have acne-prone skin or oily skin, BHA is your best option due to its effective penetrating elements on the skin’s pores and clearing up blemishes faster.
Both AHA and BHA are effective at exfoliating the skin, promoting cell turnover, and removing dead skin cells, potentially improving your skin's appearance.
Differences of AHA vs BHA
AHA vs BHA, both can benefit the skin, but they have different properties and are better suited for different skin types. AHAs are water-soluble, so they only work on the surface of the skin. This makes them great for resolving issues on normal, dry, or sun-damaged skin, such as fine lines, texture imperfections, and dull tones.
BHAs, on the other hand, are lipid and oil-soluble.
They work both on the skin’s surface and deep within the pores. This makes them stronger and typically better for normal to oily skin or skin that’s prone to bumps, enlarged pores, and blemishes.
They’re particularly effective at balancing oil levels and treating deep issues like blackheads and whiteheads. BHA acids also have skin-calming properties, making them great for those with sensitive or redness-prone skin.
The table below highlights other differences between AHA and BHA:
| Aspect | AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) | BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid) |
| Solubility | Water-soluble | Oil-soluble |
| Action | Exfoliates on the skin’s surface | Penetrates deep into pores and exfoliates inside |
| Best for | Dry, sun-damaged, or sensitive skin | Oily, acne-prone skin |
| Skin Benefits | Improves uneven skin tone and texture | Treats clogged pores, blackheads, and whiteheads |
| Sun Sensitivity | Increases sun sensitivity (sunscreen required) | Less sun sensitivity, but sunscreen is still recommended |
CAN YOU USE AHA AND BHA SKINCARE FORMULAS TOGETHER?
Using chemical exfoliants with both AHA and BHA for your skin is safe. If you have acne-prone skin concerns, you should follow the below skincare regime:
- Cleansing
- Serum Application
- AHA and BHA Toner
- Moisturizer
- Spot treatment
AHA’s should appear between 2nd and 5th on the ingredient list in order to be effective in your skincare products. Conversely, BHA’s are typically more beneficial when present in lower concentrations. That means you should see salicylic acid listed toward the middle or end of the ingredients list.
Apply Cleanser with Glycolic Acid
Glycolic Acid Cleanser for your skin can be found in the Bright Side Cream Cleanser. This is one of the skincare formulas that have AHA and BHA present in them. It helps exfoliate dead skin cells and renew the face skin cells.
Our gentle cream cleanser is perfect for sensitive and dry skin types to quickly remove all traces of buildup and dead skin cells without irritating the sensitive skin types.
Tighten Pores With a Toner
Toners like Coast Is Clear Face Toner can greatly enhance your skincare routine. Our product works to absorb every bit of dirt and oil from your skin and, as a result, nourishes and refreshes your skin, preventing acne breakouts.
Finish With the Night Cream
Up The Anti Anti Aging Cream is a product you want to use for aging skin that’s experienced sun damage. Our product contains AHA lactic acid, which is known for its numerous anti-aging benefits. Use it in your evening skincare routine to help nourish and repair your skin tone as you sleep.
What Is AHA?
Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) are group acids produced from fruits and plants that are water soluble and included in a wide range of skincare products. It is a chemical anti-aging product used daily, such as serums, toners, creams, and focused treatments – like chemical peels. AHA is mostly added to skin care products due to its numerous benefits and can be derived naturally or chemically.
LIST OF ALPHA HYDROXY ACIDS
Here are the different types of AHA:
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Malic acid, which may be found in apples.
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Lactic acid is found in dairy and fermented foods.
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Glycolic acid is derived from sugarcane.
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Tartaric acid, which may be found in grapes.
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Citric fruits contain citric acid.
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Mandelic acid is not commonly used.
Some of the most well-known AHAs include lactic and glycolic acid. However, they function in the same way.
Malic acid
Malic acid is more concentrated, at 1% or 2%, than glycolic and lactic acids. However, it still exfoliates dead skin cells and provides antioxidant benefits. Malic acid can be found in fruits like apples and wine. For the same reasons as glycolic and lactic acids, it is a preferred AHA skincare product.
Lactic acid
When your body cells break down carbs for energy, it creates lactic acid. Lactic acid can also be found in dairy and fermented foods. Unlike other AHAs, lactic acid can be found in dairy; others are fruit extracts for skin. Lactic acid hydrates the skin when used with other AHAs or alone.
Glycolic Acid
Glycolic Acid is one of the most common AHA chemical exfoliants for skin as it is often added to skincare due to its availability from sugarcane. It is known to treat and prevent acne breakouts. Luckily, Glycolic acid is one of the most used Eight Saints Ingredients for skin care.
Tartaric Acid
While Tartaric acid is not widely known as the other AHA in skincare. Tartaric acid is a grape extract AHA that aids in treating sun damage and acne-prone skin. It is a fine white crystalline organic acid salt of tartaric acid.
Although it is not the most common type of AHA, it is used in skin care products due to its exfoliating and moisturizing properties.
Citric Acid
AHA can be derived from citrus acid fruits – like oranges. It functions majorly to balance the skin’s pH level and keep the texture smooth. AHA in skincare, mostly from citrus fruits, keeps the skin moisturized and enhances the effectiveness of sunscreen.
Mandelic Acid
Mandelic acid is not commonly used in skin care products but is extracted from almond fruit. However, adding to your skincare routine increases exfoliation and could improve your skin texture and pore sizes.
Benefits of AHA
Exfoliation, or shedding of the surface skin, is caused by AHA-containing skincare products. The amount of exfoliation depends on the kind and quantity of AHA, the pH of the product, and other chemicals. Let's look at some AHA skin benefits.
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Aids in the prevention of blemishes.
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Enhances radiance.
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Removes dead skin cells.
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Improves fine lines and wrinkles visibly.
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Improves the appearance of youth in aging skin.
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Reduces the appearance of visible sun damage.
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Reduces dryness.
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Smooths the texture of the skin.
GENTLY EXFOLIATES
For a more gentle approach to exfoliation, you need AHA skincare products, including lactic, malic, glycolic, tartaric, mandelic, and citric. Exfoliation does it all for the skin, from smoothing out texture to anti-aging to removing dead skin cells and more.
Soulmate Brightening Treatment
The AHA skincare product is multidimensional and combines hyaluronic and glycolic for exceptional hydration to give the skin the rapid moisturizer it needs to keep the skin cells healthy. Soulmate Brightening Treatment gives the skin a quick hydration process by revealing new, healthy, luminous skin.
Bright Side Cream Cleanser
Our Bright Side Cleanser product works by breaking out dead skin cells on the surface of your skin and allowing them to be removed easily. It works to exfoliate gently and brighten the skin. It is one of the types of AHA products with 3 AHAs, including glycolic, tartaric, and malic.
SMOOTHS SKIN TEXTURE
You need to keep your skin smooth, but you probably have no idea how to keep up with the best AHA skincare. Our product helps your skin stay by preventing future skin irritation that might occur. Try out the Up the Anti Anti Aging Cream!
Up The Anti Anti Aging Cream
Our wrinkle cream contains lactic acid for AHA skin benefits. Our Up the Anti Anti Aging Cream tightens and smooths the skin while avoiding wrinkles.
REDUCES DRYNESS
Oily skin has no more power to stay with the AHA for skin products to increase skin hydration and moisturizer. Eight Saints products are great for dry skin.
REDUCES FINE LINES AND WRINKLES
With a consistent skincare routine, you can reduce fine lines and wrinkles by using natural ingredients from AHA skincare products. This product will help refresh your skin for good
All In Eye Cream
The All In Eye cream is the holy grail of all eye creams that contain AHA skin benefits – like glycolic and lactic acids. This silky smooth, weightless product with soothing cucumber and hyaluronic acid is gentle for the sensitive eye region. It’s suitable for every skin type.
FIGHTS VISIBLE SUN DAMAGE
To prevent sun damage, sunscreen your skin with our next product below to nourish and moisturize your skin and give you the AHA skincare hydration you need.
Chase The Sun SPF 30 Face Moisturizer
Chase The Sun SPF 30 Face Moisturizer contains citric acid extracts from citrus fruits to add to the many benefits of AHA this product can provide. It includes a blend of mineral and clean chemical sun
AHA For Acne
As extracted from natural ingredients, it helps with exfoliation and reduces skin inflammation related to acne. AHA regulates and controls the oil production in the body by keeping it in check. AHA for acne skin is one of the products we mentioned above.
What is BHA?
BHA, also known as beta-hydroxy acids, is an oil-soluble organic carboxylic acid that acts on the skin's surface as well as deep within the pores. Salicylic acid is part of BHA benefits and can be found in many skincare products today.
The question is, what does BHA do for your skin? BHA can be likened to a magic potion that targets aging, acne, and blemish on the skin. It helps exfoliate effectively in combating these skin irritations with its anti-inflammatory properties.
Unlike AHAs, BHAs such as salicylic acid boast anti-inflammatory properties, making them particularly effective for calming irritated skin and reducing redness associated with acne while simultaneously exfoliating and unclogging pores.
TYPES OF BHA
Below are the types of BHA acids. However, not all of them can be found in skincare products as they may harm the skin.
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Salicylic acid
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Beta Hydroxybutanoic Acid
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Tropic Acid
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Trethocanic Acid
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid alone can be found in skincare products. Salicylic acid targets skin blemishes, acne, and aging skin. It is a fast-acting solution to target skin irritation.
It is the most known type of BHA for skin care. Some popular salicylic acid ingredients for skin care are Sodium Salicylate, Tridecyl Salicylate, Willow Bark Extract, Betaine Salicylate, Salicylic acid Ester, and more.
Salicylic acid is derived from willow bark extract, wintergreen leaves, and more that are synthesized and purified to be added to skincare products.
Benefits of BHA
Despite its similarities with AHA, it has a lot of skincare benefits. BHA skincare benefits are fast-acting and even with just 2% added to help in the replacement of old skin cells. It also exfoliates the top layer of skin and dissolves excess oil and sebum, an oily wax present in clogged pores.
IMPROVED LOOK AND FEEL OF THE SKIN
BHA for skin works to improve your skin, prevent acne, and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. It can also reduce skin oiliness and penetrate the skin to ensure the skin feels
SMOOTHER TEXTURE AND FEWER IMPERFECTIONS
BHA products protect your skin from sunburns and include hyperpigmentation and premature aging. At the same time, keeping it hydrated reduces fine lines.
INCREASED HYDRATION
It is known for its exfoliating properties. However, it can help increase skin hydration by unclogging pores. BHA for skin is a moisture retention booster to always keep the skin hydrated.
DIMINISHED FINE LINES AND WRINKLES
BHA increases collagen formation, which can aid in the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles over time.
BHA FOR ACNE
BHA's specialize in unclogging pores to maintain oil balance, prevent ingrown hairs, and fight underlying congestion. When using BHA products for acne, start with a low dosage and gradually increase as much as possible.
Too much BHA can cause dryness, irritation, and peeling. While using BHA products, sunscreen is important to protect your skin from the sun.
Quality Control Acne Spot Treatment
Our Quality Control Acne Spot Treatment has huge benefits of BHA embedded in it. For example, this product tightens pores, controls stubborn acne, reduces oil production, and lowers redness and inflammation. It contains only 2% salicylic acid, a powerful BHA for clearing blemishes.
Safety Precautions
Since AHA and BHA are acids, you should pay attention to deciding how often to use BHA or AHA skincare products, as well as when to use AHA and BHA. High concentrations or too frequent use can cause the following side effects.
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AHA can worsen sensitive skin conditions by causing skin irritation and removing the top layer of the skin.
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Pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid excessive usage of skincare, especially in areas that would have direct contact with their baby's mouth.
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Overusing skin care products with AHA and BHA could further damage your skin, so it needs to be used moderately and at the right time.
SUN DAMAGE
Products with AHA and BHA can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun, so remember to use sunscreen daily to prevent UV damage.
SKIN IRRITATION
If your skin has a rash, swelling, itches, and other signs of irritation. Do not rush to apply AHA and BHA products. You need to determine the source of skin rashes, apply with low concentration, and use BHAs with no more than 2% salicylic acid.
CHEMICAL BURN
If you have chemical burns due to your skincare routine.
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Stop using the AHA and BHA products immediately.
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Wash off the product immediately and apply a cooling agent.
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Apply a fragrance-free solution.
If symptoms persist, reach out to your doctor for further instructions.
Bottom Line
AHA vs BHA, both products are amazing skincare ingredients and have massive benefits to the skin. However, it is important to adjust your skin routine application as the treatment works wonders. Also, check if it is good for the skincare routine.