Alpha Hydroxy Acid Skin Care Products

An Active Exfoliating Ingredient in AntiAging Skin Care Products

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) are milder versions of the same substances used to perform chemical peels. Products that contain AHAs are used to smooth fine line and surface wrinkles, improve skin texture and tone, unblock and cleanse pores, improve oily skin or acne and to improve the skin condition in general.

The most common alpha hydroxy acids used for antiaging skin care purposes are gylycolic acid and lactic acid. There are others, such as tartaric and citric acids which are also used. They can be the single active ingredient in the skin care product or used in combinations.

Generally consumer antiaging skin creams have an AHA concentration of 10% or less and a pH of 3.5 or more. A lower ph indicates higher acidity.

Also each product is supposed to carry a label warning that the product causes increased sensitivity to the sun and requiring the use of a sunscreen.

(AHAs used for chemical peels are usually at a concentration of 20% - 30%).

Alpha Hydroxy Acids work on the principle of chemical exfoliation, causing the outer layers of skin to slough off, which in turn stimulates the growth of new collagen which then causes fine lines and wrinkles to fill in.

Alpha hydroxyl acids can cause redness and irritation, especially around the eyes. Skin care product manufacturers have tried to make their products less irritating by, for example, buffering them with salicylic acid or other soothing agents, such as copper peptides.

Still, it's a good idea to start using these products gradually, once every 2 or 3 days, until you learn what you can tolerate.

The Chemical Ingredient Review Panel concluded that Alpha Hydroxy Acids are safe and effective when sold at the recommended strength and when proper precautions about sun exposure are taken.

Check the ingredient list of antiaging skin care products you are considering.

These are the common AHA names that should be listed as active ingredients: glycolic acid, lactic acid, glycolic alpha-hydroxyoctanoic acid, alpha-hydroxycaprylic acid, hydroxycaprylic acid, mixed fruit acid, triple fruit acid, tri-alpha hydroxy fruit acids, sugar cane extract, alpha hydroxy and botanical complex, L-alpha hydroxy acid, glycomer in crosslinked fatty acids alpha nutrium, malic acid and citric acid.

Some good alpha hydroxy acid skin care products are PeterThomasRoth Glycolic Acid 10% Hydrating Gel or Dermalogica Daily Resurfacer.

AHA's are some of the proven active antiaging skin care ingredients that work. They will remove fine line and wrinkles without having to resort to some of the other more invasive or costlier wrinkle removing procedures available.

This article is for informational purposes only. It does not purport to offer medical advice.