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At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: Cosmetic Use of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: Cosmetic Use of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Human Skin of Japanese Subjects - The Rationale for Chemical Peeling
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Human Skin of Japanese Subjects - The Rationale for Chemical Peeling
- Cleveland Clinic: Understanding the Ingredients in Skin Care Products
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: The Effect of Glycolic Acid on the Treatment of Acne in Asian Skin
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: The Effect of Glycolic Acid on the Treatment of Acne in Asian Skin
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on Photoaged Skin - A Pilot Clinical, Histologic, and Ultrastructural Study
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on Photoaged Skin - A Pilot Clinical, Histologic, and Ultrastructural Study
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: Glycolic Acid Treatment Increases Type I Collagen mRNA and Hyaluronic Acid Content of Human Skin
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: Glycolic Acid Treatment Increases Type I Collagen mRNA and Hyaluronic Acid Content of Human Skin
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
Skin Products That Contain AHA With Lactic or Glycolic Acid
Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) are known as good exfoliants. Often used in chemical peels carried out by doctors, they are also found, in lower concentrations in over-the-counter creams. These products aim to brighten skin, fade hyperpigmentation, treat blemishes and fight aging. Those most commonly used include glycolic acid, from sugar cane, and lactic acid, which occurs naturally in milk. As well as exfoliating, glycolic acid also boosts collagen, while lactic acid has moisturizing and whitening properties. Glycolic acid penetrates the skin more easily than lactic acid, making it the more likely of the two to cause irritation 7.
Create a Clean Slate
Glycolic and lactic acids boost the cleaning power of cleansers, making them good nighttime products. Not only do they get rid of the day’s buildup of grime, they help eradicate dead skin cells, leaving a smooth surface to absorb moisturizer. Clean skin is one of the first steps on the road to banishing blemishes; B.Kamins Acne Wash contains both types of acid to reduce oil and hydrate while cleansing. Battle fine lines and wrinkles with Philosophy’s Miracle Worker Miraculous Anti-Aging Lactic Acid Cleanser & Mask, which can also be left on the skin for up to 5 minutes as a weekly brightening mask.
- Glycolic and lactic acids boost the cleaning power of cleansers, making them good nighttime products.
- Clean skin is one of the first steps on the road to banishing blemishes; B.Kamins Acne Wash contains both types of acid to reduce oil and hydrate while cleansing.
Scrub the Surface
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Chemical peels carried out by dermatologists almost always contain glycolic or lactic acid. Enjoy these same exfoliating and rejuvenating properties at home with an over-the-counter exfoliator or peel containing a lower dose of the same ingredients. Smooth on Avon’s Anew Clinical Advanced Retexturizing Peel to strip away dead skin for brightness and wrinkle reduction. The glycolic acid in Neutrogena’s Pore Refining Exfoliating Cleanser helps reduce pore size as well as improve skin tone. Fade dark spots with Garnier’s Skin Renew Clinical Dark Spot Overnight Peel which harnesses the pigmentation-reducing properties of glycolic acid.
- Chemical peels carried out by dermatologists almost always contain glycolic or lactic acid.
- Fade dark spots with Garnier’s Skin Renew Clinical Dark Spot Overnight Peel which harnesses the pigmentation-reducing properties of glycolic acid.
Hydrate and Heal
Medical studies have shown AHAs are particularly effective at fighting signs of aging caused by the sun -- what’s known as photoaging -- as well as boosting collagen. Hydrate as well as treat your skin with Neostrata’s Face Cream Plus; this moisturizer contains 15 percent glycolic acid to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The lactic acid in Philosophy’s Hope in a Jar helps to also hydrate and brighten. Nighttime age-fighting moisturizers include Olay’s Regenerist Night Resurfacing Elixir with glycolic acid.
- Medical studies have shown AHAs are particularly effective at fighting signs of aging caused by the sun -- what’s known as photoaging -- as well as boosting collagen.
- Hydrate as well as treat your skin with Neostrata’s Face Cream Plus; this moisturizer contains 15 percent glycolic acid to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Eradicate Eye-Area Issues
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Fine skin around the eyes is often a breeding ground for wrinkles, dark pigmentation and dryness -- glycolic and lactic acids can help combat all three. Because AHAs can sometimes cause irritation, it’s important to use products specially formulated for the delicate eye area. Lactic acid in Dermalogica’s Total Eye Care helps to hydrate and smooth wrinkles, while Neutrogena’s Healthy Skin Eye Cream has glycolic acid to boost collagen and firmness. Both contain light-diffusing particles to disguise dark circles, while the AHAs work to fade them.
- Fine skin around the eyes is often a breeding ground for wrinkles, dark pigmentation and dryness -- glycolic and lactic acids can help combat all three.
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References
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: Cosmetic Use of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Human Skin of Japanese Subjects - The Rationale for Chemical Peeling
- Cleveland Clinic: Understanding the Ingredients in Skin Care Products
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Skin Wrinkles and Blemishes
- The Dr Oz Show: Seven Years Younger – The Ultimate Aging Plan
- Allure: Six Things You Didn’t Know About Acids
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: The Effect of Glycolic Acid on the Treatment of Acne in Asian Skin
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on Photoaged Skin - A Pilot Clinical, Histologic, and Ultrastructural Study
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: Glycolic Acid Treatment Increases Type I Collagen mRNA and Hyaluronic Acid Content of Human Skin
- National Institutes of Health PubChem. Glycolic acid. Updated February 1, 2020.
- Tang SC, Yang JH. Dual effects of alpha-hydroxy acids on the skin. Molecules. 2018;23(4):863. doi:10.3390/molecules23040863
- Fabbrocini G, Annunziata MC, D'Arco V, et al. Acne scars: pathogenesis, classification and treatment. Dermatol Res Pract. 2010;2010:893080. doi:10.1155/2010/893080
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Alpha hydroxy acids. Updated May 7, 2019.
- Al-Talib H, Al-Khateeb A, Hameed A, Murugaiah C. Efficacy and safety of superficial chemical peeling in treatment of active acne vulgaris. An Bras Dermatol. 2017;92(2):212–216. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20175273
- Abels C, Reich H, Knie U, Werdier D, Lemmnitz G. Significant improvement in mild acne following a twice daily application for 6 weeks of an acidic cleansing product (pH 4). Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2014;13(2):103-8. doi:0.1111/jocd.12086
- Kaminaka C, Uede M, Matsunaka H, Furukawa F, Yamomoto Y. Clinical evaluation of glycolic acid chemical peeling in patients with acne vulgaris: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, split-face comparative study. Dermatological Surgery. 2014;40(3):314-22. doi:10.1111/dsu.12417
- Sharad J. Glycolic acid peel therapy - a current review. Clinical Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology. 2013;6:281-8. doi:10.2147/CCID.S34029
- Takenaka Y, Hayashi N, Takeda M, Ashikaga S, Kawashima M. Glycolic acid chemical peeling improves inflammatory acne eruptions through its inhibitory and bactericidal effects on Propionibacterium acnes. Journal of Dermatology. 2012;39(4):350-4. doi:10.1111/j.1346-8138.2011.01321.x
Writer Bio
Nicky Hoskins has been a journalist since 1991. After 15 years as a radio news anchor and reporter in the UK she moved to Canada to write and run a bed and breakfast. Hoskins won a Sony Radio Academy award for reporting in 1994. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in broadcast journalism.