If you are standing in the aisles of the Skin Care section trying to figure out what’s better, glycolic acid or salicylic acid? Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta-Hydroxy Acids (BHA)? Then you need to keep reading AHA vs. BHA or Glycolic acid vs. Salicylic acid for glowing skin to learn how these ingredients differ and what they do for your skin. What conditions they may improve and how to choose which type of ingredient.
AHA vs. BHA
Alpha Hydroxy Acids/AHA or Beta Hydroxy Acids/BHA; these are the most widely used chemical exfoliants, which help to remove the very top layer of dead skin.
AHAs (which include glycolic acid, lactic acid, mandelic acid, and citric acid) are more relevant for skin texture, signs of aging, and hyperpigmentation, whereas BHA (salicylic acid) is more suitable for those having acne concerns as well as post-acne marks, blackheads, and white heads.
To know more about exfoliants according to skin type, please read “Mastering Exfoliation: Find the Best Method for Your Skin Type” at Sphere Medium.
Glycolic Acid vs. Salicylic Acid for Glowing Skin
AHA/Alpha Hydroxy acid : Glycolic acid
1.Anti-aging benefits of glycolic acid
The main use of glycolic is surface exfoliation, which helps to buff those fine lines and buff uneven-toned skin to reveal radiant, glowing skin. Glycolic acid indirectly helps to promote collagen production by triggering the fibroblasts to start producing collagen, and it can help with age-related slowing down of epidermal turnover that leads to rough texture.
What about wrinkles? Glycolic acid can complement retinoid and also can be used in an anti-aging routine by replacing topical retinol with Glycolic acid serum a few times a week for a comprehensive and effective anti-aging skin care regimen.
2. Glycolic acid for spot and tan removal
Glycolic acid is beneficial for lightening of sunspots or age spots in comparison to salicylic acid because it has the potential to go throughout the epidermis a little bit deeper to really get to a place where it can suppress melanin pigment production in those sunspots and helps with Skin brightening and evening out of skin texture
3.Skin Hydration
Glycolic acid has a unique quality in comparison to salicylic acid , that in lower strength formulations, around 5 % it actually can help with water content in the epidermis to improve hydration.
Photosensitive: Keep in mind that because alpha-hydroxy acids work at cleaving and removing top layer of dead skin, it will make skin more sun sensitive, so just make sure that you are extra good with sun protection when using an alpha-hydroxy acid. Also exfoliate at night, not in the morning.
Glycolic acid/AHA is best for
Anti-aging concerns
To target fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation
Also for even skin texture and skin tone Helpful for dry, flaky skin. At a lower concentration, it can help to hydrate the skin.
What percentage of glycolic acid is safe to use?
Any formulation with glycolic acid between 5% and 7% is a mild strength suitable for sensitive skin, but still do patch tests.
Medium strength is anywhere from 8% to 10 %, found in the form of toners. It’s a very effective form of exfoliation for most skin types.
AHA Products
- La Roche Posey B5 serum Dark Spot Corrector contain 10% glycolic acid.
- Glycolic acid toner of the ordinary with 7% glycolic acid.
Patch test: It’s best to patch test it on the side of the face, behind ear a couple of times a week to see how it responds.
Is AHA Pregnancy safe? If you are pregnant, you may want to lean into glycolic acid over salicylic acid. Although over-the-counter products are safe to use, it’s always better to practice caution.
BHA/Beta hydroxy acid: Salicylic acid
Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) that is derived from natural sources, primarily the bark of the willow tree. It has a large ring structure in contrast to glycolic acid.
- Unclog pores: Beta-hydroxy acids /salicylic acids have more lipid- or sebum-loving properties, so they’re more attracted to pores, helping to exfoliate and unclog them.
- Blackhead removal: due to its unclogging ability of pores, thereby it’s consistent use reduced blackheads, white heads and acne.
- Spot removal by exfoliation: being a chemical exfoliant salicylic acid also helps with post-acne marks, uneven skin texture, and skin tone at the same time.
- Acne treatment: salicylic acid is actually an FDA-approved over-the-counter medication for the treatment of acne. Now salicylic acid also has some anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which again makes great choice for acne treatments.
BHA Products
- Paula’s Choice 2% liquid exfoliant
- Neutrogena salicylic acid cleanser
who should Avoid beta-hydroxy acids
- If you have an allergy to salicylic acid
- If pregnant, consult your doctor. A safe alternative to use during pregnancy is AHA, which is one of the actual retinoid Alternatives too.
Glycolic acid/AHA is best for
Oily acne prone skin
Having mild Acne spots
Unclogging pores and preventing acne, blackheads
Glycolic Acid vs. Salicylic Acid Side Effects
Skin Irritation: It might be irritable to some, especially to deeper skin tone individuals, that irritation could lead to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. It’s less of a risk with salicylic acid, but it can happen with either ingredient.
Glycolic Acid vs. Salicylic Acid Precautions
- Start slow: If you’re new to either of these ingredients, then I suggest introducing them into your routine slowly; maybe just start using them twice a week for the first week or so.
2.Careful with waxing/threading with Aha,bha: If you are using these ingredients, remember they are going to thin out and smooth the top layer of skin, and for this reason, beware of getting waxing or sugaring ,threading that can lead to the formation of little sores, little ulcers, or little scums around the eyebrows.
Tip: Better to stop a week before getting waxing or threading done.
- Actives with aha bha: a good rule of thumb is chemical exfoliants because of their irritating nature should be avoided with other irritating ingredients in the same routine, like don’t use alpha hydroxy acid or beta-hydroxy acid with topical retinoid and vitamin C serum.
- Don’t use aha bha around the eyes where the skin is very thin.
- Always exfoliate at night.
What if I want to use both AHA, BHA?
If you want to use both glycolic acid and salicylic acid, then choose a product that is formulated with both ingredients in one product.
Products with AHA BHA
- CeraVe acne control gel combines salicylic acid and glycolic acid
- Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel
- Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Serum
- Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial™ AHA + BHA Mask.
How to Choose: AHA vs. BHA
AHA/Glycolic acid is much more suitable for people who have concerns about aging, sun damage, who are looking to have a smoother overall texture and a more even skin tone, and who are looking in the process to indirectly help themselves as they age by helping to promote collagen.
BHA/Salicylic acid is recommend to those with more oily acne-prone skin, pore congestion, mild acne as well as post-acne marks.
Hope I did justice to this vast topic of AHA vs. BHA, or glycolic acid vs. salicylic acid for glowing skin at Spheremedium. Thank you for reading, and for questions and queries, comment below.
FAQs
Who should use glycolic acid toner?
Anyone seeking anti-aging benefits and glowing skin tone can use glycolic acid toner.
Is glycolic acid safe to use in pregnancy?
Yes, it’s a preferred alternative to retinol in pregnancy.
When to apply glycolic acid?
Apply it at night after cleansing and top it off with moisturizer. And don’t forget to wear sunscreen the next day.
Who should avoid salicylic acid?
- If you have an allergy to salicylic acid
- If pregnant, consult your doctor.
What does salicylic acid poisoning look like?
Salicylic acid poisoning presents with ringing in the ears you can develop nausea. Vomiting hyperventilation.
I am a dentist, baker, and fitness and health enthusiast with a passion for living life to the fullest. I am foodie and explorer, always seeking new adventures and flavors. Currently working on my own skincare brand.
