Skin care has become a primary focus for many people who want to maintain healthy and radiant skin. One popular trend is the use of skincare products that contain AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) and BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid). However, many are still wondering if these products are really necessary in their daily skincare routine. Therefore, it is important to understand the benefits and risks of both ingredients before deciding to incorporate them into your daily skincare routine. To find out more, let's read the following article!

The research results show that AHA has a positive effect in improving skin regeneration and achieving healthy skin with even texture and color. AHA also has the ability to maintain skin moisture by increasing water retention, thus giving a radiant skin impression. Therefore, this makes the use of AHA relevant in daily skin care routines.

Products with a not too high AHA concentration (maximum 10%) can be used every day, including morning and evening. However, caution is still required due to the potential risk of irritation or sensitive skin reactions. BHA can be an alternative for those who are not suitable for AHA, although its effects are not as optimal as AHA in improving skin regeneration. However, for certain skin conditions such as sensitive skin, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis, the use of AHA/BHA should be done with a minimum interval of two days.

Research and scientific sources indicate that the use of AHA with a concentration between 8 to 10 percent provides excellent results in stimulating exfoliation and skin cell regeneration. If there is no irritation when using an 8 percent AHA cream but the results are not optimal, users may consider increasing the concentration to 10 percent. In addition, users may also consider changing the form of the skincare product from cream to lotion or serum as an alternative adjustment.

If you have tried reducing AHA concentration but still experience irritation, an alternative is to try skincare products that contain BHA, such as salicylic acid, as the risk of irritation tends to be lower than AHA. The recommended percentage to avoid irritation is a maximum of 2 percent. The exfoliation produced by salicylic acid, which belongs to the BHA group, tends to be gentler compared to AHA. In addition, salicylic acid has anti-inflammatory properties that can relieve inflammation.

The use of AHA or BHA often causes the skin to become dry, so additional moisturizing ingredients are needed. The presence of moisturizing ingredients helps reduce the side effects of dryness that may occur after using AHA or BHA. The suitable moisturizing ingredients for this purpose are emollients such as glycerin and ceramides. Emollients like glycerin and ceramides have occlusive properties that help enhance the absorption of ingredients.

To achieve optimal oil cleansing effect, it is recommended to choose exfoliating lotions that contain AHA or BHA. AHA and BHA have optimal abilities to dissolve oil, making it easier for sebum to be expelled through pores without causing blockage. With efficient sebum expulsion, the skin will not be too oily, which in turn can reduce the risk of blackheads or acne. However, if the skin is sensitive, it is recommended to choose products that contain BHA.

"If you have dry and dull skin, it is recommended to use exfoliating cream that contains AHA. The cream provides moisturizing effects suitable for dry skin types and helps AHA to adhere better to the skin. Dull skin is caused by the accumulation of dead skin cells, so the exfoliation process with effective ingredients like AHA is very important. AHA has a highly effective ability to loosen the bonds between skin cells, thus helping dead skin cells to be easily removed."

To treat dark spots, it is recommended to use exfoliating products that contain a combination of AHA with alpha arbutin or vitamin C. Alpha arbutin provides optimal results with milder side effects and can still be used in over-the-counter products without a doctor's prescription. Vitamin C is also a good skin brightening ingredient, especially for those who are not suitable for alpha arbutin. According to scientific references, vitamin C works optimally with a concentration of 10 percent or higher.

Some forms of exfoliation products that are not recommended include toner, masks, and face scrubs. Toner tends to be less effective because it evaporates quickly and often contains alcohol, which can dry out and irritate the skin. Masks, especially those containing AHA, require a contact time of about three minutes for optimal results, but using them for too long can increase the risk of irritation. In addition, face scrubs are also not recommended because they combine chemical exfoliants and physical scrubs, which can cause skin irritation due to friction and high chemical reactions.