Beta Hydroxy Acids

A less Irritating Alternative to Alpha Hydroxy Acids in Skin Care Products

Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA's) are said to be an improvement over alpha hydroxy acids, since they provide the same skin exfoliation benefits without the irriation that AHA's can cause.

Products that contain BHA's 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 Beta Hydroxy Acid is salicyclic acid, although there are others such as willow extract, tropic acid and salicylate. Often they are combined with alpha hydroxyl acids, to increase the potency of the product while providing buffering against irritation.

These are milder versions of the same ingredients used in chemical peels. Concentrations are generally 10% or less, pH is 3.5 or higher: the lower the number the more acid.

These products contain warnings that they can cause heightened sensitivity to sun damage and that a sun screen must be used at the same time as these products.

Beta Hydroxy Acids work by causing the skin to slough off old cells. This, in turn, stimulates new collagen growth with causes fine lines and wrinkles to fill in.

It is best to start off slowly with these products, using them once every two to three days until you skin adjusts. Make sure to use a sun screen whenever you're exposed.

Two excellent skin care products which contain BHA are GreatSkin BHA Lotion and GreatSkin AHA/BHA Lipo Serum.

Beta hydroxy acids are another proven and safe ingredient of antiaging skin care products. If used correctly they should cause little irritation and will fill in fine lines and wrinkles in the skin. Just be sure to protect your skin from the sun.