From Hyaluronic to Salicylic: Breaking Down Skincare Acids
Have you been walking down the skincare aisle and felt like you were actually walking through a chemistry lab? We don’t blame you.
Skincare product names are getting more complicated by the day, especially with the incorporation of acids in to skin care products. We’ve got you covered!
Here is a breakdown of the different type of skincare acids for your skin and what you can use them to for!
Lactic Acid
One of the most popular skin cares acids. Lactic acid is great for people with dry skin. It helps to naturally improve the skins natural moisture factor. It also helps stimulate collagen and promote cellular renewal.
Lactic Acid works as an exfoliant. It loosens the bonds between dead skin cells giving you radiant skin. Overall it improves skin tone and reduces pore appearance.
If you notice your skin is particularly dry or you are looking to reduce the appearance of your pores, consider incorporating lactic acid in to your skin care routine.
Try out this formulation from The Ordinary available on boots.ie.
Hyaluronic Acid
For smooth, flawless and hydrated skin, Hyaluronic Acid is what you need!
Hyaluronic acid is actually naturally produced by our skin to help maintain our moisture levels. Consequences of modern living such as air pollution or too much sun exposure have badly effected how well it works. This is easily fixed by incorporating hyaluronic acid in to your skin care routine!
Using hyaluronic acid, helps keep your skin looking healthy, keeps your skin moisturised and glowing, and gives it a plump, healthy look!
The Ordinary has a very popular hyaluronic acid formulation or you could try Face Theory’s Relaxing Night Cream M10 which contains Hyaluronic Acid as well as vitamin C. Wake up to glowing skin!
Glycolic Acid
Glycolic Acid is a type of alphra-hydroxy acid that is derived from sugar cane. It has a small molecule weight that makes it easy to penetrate the skin and thus makes it very effective as a skincare choice!
Glycolic acid is an exfoliant, so it helps shed dead skin cells, revealing a fresh, healthy layer of skin. By penetrating so deep in to your skin it stimulates fibroblasts in the dermis to produce increased amounts of collagen. By stimulating collagen production, it helps skin feel firmer. This makes your skin appear smoother and more radiant. It is a good one to add to your collection of skincare acids.
As Glycolic Acid is an exfoliant it is best to start off small and slowly build up the amount you use to avoid a negative skin reaction.
A good idea would be to use it in a face wash such as the Mario Badescu Glycolic Foaming Cleanser or Face Theroy’s Clarifying Cleanser C2 which contains glycolic acid, salicylic acid and lactic acid.
When you feel your skin is ready for it you can use it as a leave on product such as the INKEY LIST: Glycolic Acid toner. Use it after cleansing and before moisturising.
Salicylic Acid
Another one of the more popular skin care acids. Salicylic is all the rave at the minute- and for good reason!
Salicylic Acid is known to work wonders on those suffering from acne. It is a beta-hydroxy acid and is great for reducing acne by exfoliating the skin and keeping pores open. It works best on mild acne such as blackheads and whiteheads but is also great at preventing future outbreaks.
When your pores get clogged with dirt and oil this causes inflammation which gives us those lovely spots on our face. Salicylic acid penetrates the skin and works to dissolve the dirt in your pores.
If you suffer from frequent outbreaks or have acne scarring, get your hands on some Salicylic Acid!
Try out Revolution Skincare’s Targeted Blemish Serum 2% Salicylic Acid. Or The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque.
Tranexamic Acid
Say bye-bye acne scars and hello bright, radiant skin! If you suffer from acne scars, than tranexamic acid could be all you need to say good riddance to your scars. Tranexamic Acid is a bit of a new kid on the block as skin care companies only starting to incorporate it in to their ingredients , but it is fast becoming the must have ingredient for problem skin products!
Tranexamic Acid works by performing anti-inflammatory actions. It blocks the transfer of pigment from melanocytes to keratinocytes in the epidermis. It helps calm the skin and restore the skin barrier.
A great thing about tranexamic acid is it can be easily combined with other acne treating products such as retinol as it is a gentle acid! Just double check with a dermatologist or a skin care expert that what you are mixing it with is safe!
You can try out tranexamic acid using Face Theory’s Exaglow Serum S10 or this overnight treatment from THE INKEY LIST.
Azelaic Acid
Want to stop breakouts before they even happen? I’m pretty confident we all do! Azeliac Acid is your best friend when it comes to preventing skin conditions such as acne scars. Azeliac Acid is a dicarboxylic acid obtained from grains of barley, wheat and rye.
In terms of skin care products azelaic acid is hard to come by, but we are hoping that will change as people become more aware of the benefits!
Azelaic Acid works by interrupting the progression of emerging skin problems such as black heads and spots in the upper skin layer. Azelaic Acid communicates with the cells in the upper layer, putting a hault to the development of clogged pores and acne scars. This results in all round, smoother, clearer, healthier looking skin…and who doesn’t want that!
You can start incorporating it in to your skin care routine by getting your hands on The Ordinary Azeliac Acid Suspension 10%
So there’s low down! Find which one works best for you and get flaunting your fabulous skin!
For other products to incorporate in to your skin care routine, have a look at this article on Skincare Essentials:How To Build A Great Skincare Routine!