BHA exfoliant?

Feb 18, 2016

Livi H.

Has anyone used these and what do you think of it? I wanted to incorporate a good exfoliant but don't know where to start. I'm combination skin by the way, or are AHAs better than BHA? You can tell I don't know what I'm talking about haha!

Feb 18, 2016

Livi H.

I did want to mention I have a bunch of TINY flesh colored bumps on the tops of my cheeks. (Clogged pores probably ) Which products would help with these?

Feb 18, 2016

Alexis C.

I've been using the Boscia Exfoliating Peel Gel (I don't know if it's considered an AHA or BHA, I'm not well versed in this either) and Sephora's website describes it as a physical and chemical exfoliant. After one use I could feel a difference in my skin, it was so smooth and soft. I've been using it consistently for about a month now and my skin is so much brighter, smoother, and softer but it's helped with dark spots. I had a pretty bad breakout that started right before I started using it and I think it really helped clear out those clogged pores so the breakout cleared up so quickly. I highly recommend it (:

Feb 18, 2016

Marleen B.

The most common Alpha Hydroxy Acid is glycolic acid. It's good for the skin's surface. This type of exfoliation helps improves skin's texture and also brightens ands helps in fading discolorations. The most common Beta Hydroxy Acid is Salicylic Acid, which helps clean out pores which in turn will help minimize clogged pores, blackheads, whiteheads and acne. You'll notice they put salicylic acid in a lot of anti acne products.

Feb 18, 2016

Deborah S.

I'm using a bha 2% salicylic acid exfoliant by paula's choice and I feel like it's really making a difference to my skin. I think I've been using it for maybe 6 weeks now and my blackheads are starting to become less prominent and also my skin feels a lot smoother and softer. A nice side effect is that since you have to moisturize well and wear sunscreen daily when using a chemical exfoliant, I feel like that is benefitting my skin as well since I'm now actually religiously sticking to those things. so if your concern is clearing up your skin and de clog your pores, a bha is great. If you are more looking towards anti - ageing and smoothing the surface of your skin, an aha would be more suitable.

Feb 18, 2016

Kitty K.

There are differences between AHA & BHA's.. whichever is 'better' is ultimately up to your skin and whatever issues you have.

Your skin actually sheds everyday on its own... but when it comes down to pollution, the sun, environmental damage, genetics, skin disorders, etc.it can actually be slowed down.
When you deal with a physical exfoliant you only get rid of the outermost layer of the skin leaving behind minor irritation and no treatment.. with an AHA & BHA you treat everything from fine lines and wrinkles to dry skin, acne, clogged pores/milia, black heads, whiteheads, skin tone and oil production.

AHA's and BHA's both need to be formulated correctly.. something I can't stress a lot! An AHA/BHA shouldn't need an alcohol base unless a chemical peel is being performed, and it needs to be at a correct PH level to exfoliate correctly. This is why I am actually VERY picky about which exfoliants I use.. there are far too many on the market that aren't formulated correctly. Too high of a PH can lead to very sensitive/burned skin, dermatitis, rashes, sunburn and too low can leave you with effects that a basic moisturizer can do.
It's important to always use SPF when using a chemical exfoliant because you can also get the above listed symptoms from the lack of sun protection..
Any proper chemical exfoliant will also have a warning label indicating that proper sun protection must be used by FDA standards.

A great AHA/BHA will also include antioxidants, cell communicating ingredients, and other skin goodies.

AHA's actually don't exfoliate as deep into the pore as a BHA.. I would say that BHA's are much more beneficial to acne prone skin and AHA's better suited for those just looking to even out their skine tone.

AHA - Alpha Hydroxy Acid is typically Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Malic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Citric Acid, and Mandelic Acid.
BHA - Salicylic Acid, Trethocanic acid, Tropic Acid, Beta Hydroxybutanoic acid... other names of Salicylic Acid are salicylate, sodium salicylate, and willow extract.


AHA's are good with dealing with
Sun damage/Free Radical Damage
Dryness
Fine lines and wrinkles/Firming skin
Stimulates healthy collagen production
Redness/inflammation

BHA's exfoliate deeper than a BHA and are good with
Blackheads
White heads
Clogged pores/Milia
Enlarged pores
Anti Inflammatory/Antibacterial
Dry skin
Skin with rosacea (Not all)
Oil production
Brown spots/red marks from breakouts

If you dealing with both sun damage and acne, you can use a BHA to address those issues.
I personally use both AHA's and BHA's! I alternate between my Paula's Choice BHA and my Sunday Riley AHA.

AHA's are typically targeted more towards dries skin types, while BHAs are more targeted towards oily skin. However, as mentioned above it truly depends on what your skin needs.


As products are applied from lightest to heaviest, I apply my BHA/AHA after I tone my skin.
They do come in different forms...
Liquid
Lotion
Serums

I personally use both liquid/serum since they have a smaller sized molecule meaning they can go a bit deeper in the skin than a lotion and absorb faster. I've been using my Paula's Choice 2% BHA for years..

I do have a before and after photo on my profile of when I first began using it if you're interested..
http://www.beautylish.com/f/rmipruj/before-after-5-days
I have tried going without it and I can say that I have regretted it!

Feb 18, 2016

Deborah S.

Yes the one I'm using looks like that. I think she has two 2% bha in her line and the one I'm using is the skin perfecting one, I can't see what it says on the bottle in the picture but I believe it's the same one. I have never personally used an aha as my concern is deep pore cleansing, on a paula's choice leaflet I got with the order it said though that it's not necessary to use both, just bha sort of covers both products but that there are people who alternate them and it also works well. so sorry no personal experience but maybe thus still helps a little. :)

Feb 19, 2016

Livi H.

Deborah I believe it does say skin perfecting! I spoke with their customer service on chat and they actually advised me not to use an aha because I have sensitivity and that an aha will not address clogged pore problems. I was surprised to hear that since I thought they would want me to buy more products lol! Anyway I ended up just purchasing the 2% BHA liquid and picked up some cleanser samples lol. Hope this will be as good for me as it was for you guys. Thank you so much!

Feb 19, 2016

Deborah S.

How nice and exciting, I really hope that it works well for you. :) I ordered quite a few samples with my order as well, I had sort of forgotten about them though but am really excited to try more from that brand :)

Feb 19, 2016

Kitty K.

I use the liquid BHA, I wasn't too happy with the lotion so far. I use the extra strength from their acne line as well when I have break outs.
I've also just purchased my first toner from them... the Skin Recovery toner. It actually helped with ALOT of my sensitivity issues and left my skin so supple and soft. I tried the sample several times but I guess since there wasn't enough product in it I wasn't able to enjoy it. I kind of bought it on a whim. I'm also trying out their new moisturizer for sensitive dry skin along with the serum. I hope it goes well!

Feb 20, 2016

Livi H.

Thank you kitty seems like the liquid is the preferred formula! Good thing I chose that one hoping it was the most effective haha. Your skin looks amazing!!