What Are Aha & Bha Acids in Skincare?

Tuesday, August 2, 2022

 
Woman holding a skincare product


Are you wondering what AHA and BHA stand for on your skincare products? 

They have long been used for cosmetic purposes; Cleopatra bathed in milk, Polynesian women softened their skin with concoctions of fruit juices and sugar cane, and French courtesans applied wine poultices to their faces for flawless, blemish-free skin. AHA and BHA acids have also been used for many years in dermatology to treat a variety of skin conditions, including acne, psoriasis, and other forms of keratosis.

Alpha (AHA) and beta (BHA) hydroxy acids are best used for skin care in the fall and winter when the sun's rays are less intense. In their natural state, hydroxy acids are present in a variety of foods that we consume every day. Examples include salicylic acid, which is present in black currants, apricots, willow bark, and evergreen trees, as well as glycolic acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, and citric acid. (Photo by Mikhail Nilov)

 
Woman holding a skincare product


Are you wondering what AHA and BHA stand for on your skincare products? 

They have long been used for cosmetic purposes; Cleopatra bathed in milk, Polynesian women softened their skin with concoctions of fruit juices and sugar cane, and French courtesans applied wine poultices to their faces for flawless, blemish-free skin. AHA and BHA acids have also been used for many years in dermatology to treat a variety of skin conditions, including acne, psoriasis, and other forms of keratosis.

Alpha (AHA) and beta (BHA) hydroxy acids are best used for skin care in the fall and winter when the sun's rays are less intense. In their natural state, hydroxy acids are present in a variety of foods that we consume every day. Examples include salicylic acid, which is present in black currants, apricots, willow bark, and evergreen trees, as well as glycolic acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, and citric acid. (Photo by Mikhail Nilov)