When was the last time you read the labels on the back of a skincare product? Have you bought an item solely because of the ingredients? If you haven’t, then you should. The right ingredients are essential for good skin care.
There are plenty of ingredients out there that won’t do well with your skin type. Conversely, there are also great ingredients that will vibe with your skin. The best types are those that will suit almost any skin type. One of them is Beta Hydroxy Acid or BHA.
What is Beta Hydroxy Acid?
BHA is a type of oil-soluble acid usually found in products under the name salicylic acid. Other names include tropic acid and lipohydroxy acid.
Back in the day, this ingredient was only available in one product: chemical peels. Nobody but dermatologists were given access to this wonder ingredient. Now, skincare products include them in small doses.
It may seem intimidating to hear acid in a skincare product, but it is FDA-approved and highly effective in the right doses.
This acid is included in facial products such as moisturizers and toners. BHA helps treat and prevent acne, brighten pigmentation, keep sebum production under control, and even skin tone and texture.
What skin type is it suitable for?
Beta Hydroxy Acid addresses a wide range of skin problems. People with oily skin and acne-prone skin would benefit from products with salicylic acid because it prevents oil buildup and fights acne-causing germs and bacteria. It can also be used on uneven skin tones and combat rough and dull skin.
As much as it can accommodate the vast majority, there are some exceptions. Pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding should not use them.
I see Alpha Hydroxy Acid in labels too. Are they the same thing?
No. While AHA works almost the same as BHA, they do have one distinguishing factor: AHA is water-soluble while BHA is oil-soluble. The oil solubility of BHA allows it to remove debris and toxins from the pores. Both of these components make great washes, serums, or lotions.
When’s the best time to use products with BHA?
This ingredient is mostly found in products you use in the morning. With a combination of some SPF sunscreen, you can start the day off looking fine and feeling right.
They also put this ingredient in night products, so feel free to use those products so long as they do not contain retinol.
Conclusion
Reading the label is something that not every person does. Knowing what ingredients are in a bottle of lotion can save you time and money when you find something that you know will not benefit your skin and other products.
Beta Hydroxy Acid is one of those ingredients that can work for all types of skin. You should be on the lookout for it when you have the type of skin that needs it.
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