Commonly used acids include salicylic acid, alpha hydroxy acid, and mandelic acid. They can penetrate into the interstitial matrix of epidermal cells, affect the connection between cells, and cause the keratin to fall off.
Salicylic acid
Salicylic acid has some obvious advantages over other acids. Salicylic acid is found in many oil-control and acne-removing products. It is bioactive, fat-soluble and has a suitable molecular weight. Most of the salicylic acid can stay on the epidermis to work, making it easy to control. Due to its fat-soluble properties, salicylic acid can dissolve in the oil secreted by the skin, penetrate deep into the pores, and clean the lipids in the pores. In addition to its antibacterial effect, it can relieve the symptoms of acne and also relieve some enlarged pores.
Alpha Hydroxy Acid
Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) is a common skincare ingredient used to exfoliate and improve skin texture. It is usually derived from fruit, such as lactic acid (from milk), glycolic acid (from sugar cane), and malic acid (from apples). AHA can help remove dead skin cells, promote cell turnover, and improve skin smoothness and clarity.
Mandelic Acid
Mandelic Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) extracted mainly from bitter almonds. It is characterized by its large molecular size and relatively low permeability, so it is less irritating to the skin and is very suitable for sensitive skin.
