What is Alpha Hydroxy Acid?

Most people have heard of Alpha Hydroxy Acid, but what exactly is it? Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) is a group of naturally occurring acids used in skin care. It is derived from fruit and milk sugars, and the most common are Glycolic and Lactic Acids.

Glycolic acid comes from sugar cane, while lactic acid comes from sour milk (or can also be produced synthetically). Both of these AHAs are water soluble. They are effective in exfoliating the top layer of dead skin cells, making them an excellent treatment for dry, rough, or sun damaged skin. They can also improve skin texture, appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and age spots caused by sun exposure. AHAs are extremely versatile in that their usage extends beyond exfoliating the surface of the skin to stimulate collagen production underneath the surface of the skin to create a plumping effect to reduce wrinkles and fine lines.

But not all AHAs are created equal. Some AHAs are stronger than others and some are better suited for different skin types. For example, due to its smaller molecular size, glycolic acid absorbs deeper into the skin with greater efficacy than lactic acid does. Lactic acid is

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are a group of natural acids found in foods. Alpha hydroxy acids include citric acid (found in citrus fruits), glycolic acid (found in sugarcane), lactic acid (found in sour milk), malic acid (found in apples), tartaric acid (found in grapes) and others.

Alpha hydroxy acids are often referred to as fruit acids, but this is a misnomer because not all alpha hydroxy acids are derived from fruit.

Alpha hydroxy acids act as exfoliants, helping the skin to shed dead cells from its top layer and leave it smoother and younger-looking. They also have moisturizing properties because they attract water to the outermost layer of the skin.

They are used in many skin products, including cleansers, toners, moisturizers and serums.

One type of alpha hydroxy acid that has received a lot of attention is glycolic acid. The smallest of all alpha hydroxy acids, glycolic acid is able to penetrate deeper into the skin than other AHAs because it has a smaller molecular structure.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) are a group of natural and synthetic acids derived from fruits and milk, used in skin care products to aid in exfoliation. You can find these AHAs on ingredient lists labeled as glycolic acid, lactic acid, citric acid, malic acid, mandelic acid and tartaric acid. The most common AHAs used in skincare are glycolic and lactic acids.

How do they work? They loosen the binding between dead skin cells allowing them to slough off easier.

AHAs also help with collagen production, reduce hyperpigmentation and sun damage. They also help keep the skin hydrated by attracting water to the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of skin.

What is the difference between Natural AHAs and Synthetic AHAs? Natural AHAs are more expensive but they are better tolerated by most people without irritation or redness. Synthetic AHAs are cheaper to produce but can be harsher on the skin. Some products have both types of AHAs combined because they help improve penetration of each other.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) are water-soluble acids made from sugary fruits. They help peel away the surface of your skin so that new, more evenly pigmented skin cells may generate and take their place. AHAs also stimulate collagen production, which prevents fine lines and wrinkles. This is why they are often incorporated into anti-aging products.

Glycolic Acid is an AHA that gently exfoliates the skin to reveal a brighter, fresher complexion. It helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, scarring and hyperpigmentation by removing dead skin cells from the top layer of skin, making it smooth and clear. Glycolic Acid is the smallest AHA molecule so it penetrates the skin very easily and can be irritating if not used properly.

Lactic Acid is an AHA that offers mild exfoliation for smoother skin. Lactic Acid is also humectant meaning it draws water to the outer layer of your skin to keep it hydrated, resulting in a plumpness and reduction in fine lines or wrinkles. Lactic Acid has larger molecules than Glycolic Acid so it penetrates less deeply into the skin but still provides excellent exfoliation without irritation.

Mandelic Acid is an A

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are naturally occurring acids derived from sugary fruits. They are known to enhance the appearance of dry or sun-damaged skin by reducing fine lines and wrinkles, as well as improving roughness, scaling and discoloration.

In addition, AHAs may stimulate the production of collagen and glycosaminoglycans (molecules that attract water to the skin), which can improve the skin’s moisture content. Several smaller studies have also shown that AHA creams can help reduce acne.

The most common AHA is glycolic acid, which comes from sugar cane. Lactic acid comes from milk, citric acid from citrus fruit and malic acid from apples.

There are many claims made for AHA products, but not all of them have been proven in scientific studies. If you decide to use an AHA product, look for one with a concentration of 8 to 10 percent — this is strong enough to provide an effect without risking irritation. Some people experience a slight stinging when they first start using AHAs, but this usually goes away after a few weeks of use.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) are a group of natural acids found in foods. They are often referred to as “fruit acids”. The most common AHAs include glycolic acid (sugar cane), lactic acid (milk), malic acid (apples), citric acid (oranges and lemons) and tartaric acid (grapes).

AHAs were first used in medicine in the 1930s to treat skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and keratosis pilaris. In the 1980s, it was discovered that cosmetic use of AHAs can help improve the appearance of aged, photo-damaged skin.

What is AHAs?

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are naturally derived from sugar cane and milk, as well as other food products. They are used in a variety of cosmetic products for their exfoliating and moisturizing properties. The most popular AHAs are glycolic acid, lactic acid, citric acid and malic acid. AHAs can be found in cleansers, toners, serums and moisturizers. They are widely available at drugstores and department stores as well as online.

Exfoliation of the skin is a key process to obtain healthy skin. As we age, our cell turnover rate slows down and dead skin cells accumulate on the surface of our skin, making it look dull and flaky. Exfoliation involves removing the dead skin cells from the surface of the skin by chemical or physical means. AHAs work by dissolving the bonds that hold dead skin cells together so they shed more easily, which helps to reveal younger-looking skin underneath.

AHAs also help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating collagen production under the surface of your skin (1). In addition, they help to hydrate your skin by increasing water content inside your skin cells (2).

There are various types of AHA products