Chemical Exfoliation: AHA vs BHA

Let's talk about...Exfoliation: The removal of the oldest dead skin cells from the skin's outermost surface. Insufficient exfoliation may result in problems such as: dull, dry, or flaky skin; clogged, enlarged pores; plus bumps, wrinkles, loss of firmness, and uneven skin tone.

This is where chemical exfoliation comes into play.

Chemical exfoliation, in particular, is better than scrubs and cleansing brushes which can aggravate skin by being too abrasive.

AHA: Alpha Hydroxyl Acid. Ingredients in this category include lactic acid from milk and glycolic acid from sugar cane as well as a whole host of other ingredients.
BHA: Beta Hydroxyl Acid (Salicylic acid). These work harder than AHAs, and really penetrate your pores to help to clear them out.

So when do you apply AHA or BHA?

• AHAs are best if rough skin and loss of firmness are your concerns. It is especially helpful for addressing advanced signs of aging and dry skin.
• BHA is ideal if you are dealing with clogged pores, blackheads, blemishes, or enlarged pores.

Tips when applying:

• You do not need to wait for your AHA or BHA to dry—you can apply any other product in your skincare routine immediately afterwards.
• Experiment with different strengths of AHA and BHA to see which concentration gives you the best results.  
• How often you should exfoliate depends on your skin type and skin concerns.

 -Emily

Reference: http://www.paulaschoice.com/expert-advice/anti-aging/_/how-to-exfoliate-skin