topic Re: Do you like BHA's or AHA's ? in Beauty

Do you like BHA's or AHA's ?

emmysmom — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 21:01:10 GMT

I've been using Mario Badescu's 2% glycolic acid toner for the past year and love it. Its an alpha hydroxy acid..my sons have good luck with salicylic acid, a Beta HA, so I tried one of their products..and my skin looks great! Years ago I used a line from Sage skin care, loved it but it was very pricey. So glad I can have both worlds at great prices! Thats when I got introduced to the AHA and BHA. The salicylic .5% (very gentle) is better at cleaning out the pores, the glycolic seems to help smoothe and fade sun damage. I got my bha cleanser at the dollar store and its great, very refreshing and has smoothed my skin and it looks luminous. Just wanted to share! I use the cleanser in the morning, it feels good and wakes me up and the toner at night mostly.

http://blog.doctoroz.com/oz-experts/get-better-skin-with-alpha-and-beta-hydroxy-acids

Re: Do you like BHA's or AHA's ?

Irishrose136 — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 21:34:58 GMT

Another source of excellent AHA and BHA is Paula's Choice. Their products are very reputable.

Personally, given the latest info regarding tainted products and counterfeits and dollar stores, I wouldn't buy anything there that I would put on my face or my family's. There is another thread about this specifically.

There are many reputable sources for these 2 products you like.

eta: I see that Mario Badescu has various cleansers. That would probably be a far better choice than the dollar store.

Re: Do you like BHA's or AHA's ?

brewhaha — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 21:39:06 GMT

You must have had an AHA moment when you started using it.

Re: Do you like BHA's or AHA's ?

Irishrose136 — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 21:48:02 GMT

On 6/17/2014 brewhaha said:
You must have had an AHA moment when you started using it.

Re: Do you like BHA's or AHA's ?

HappyDaze — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 22:18:38 GMT

I cannot use AHAs- they are too harsh for my skin. BHAs works best for my skin. I've used Paula's choice BHA for years now and will never be without.

Re: Do you like BHA's or AHA's ?

emmysmom — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 22:23:16 GMT

On 6/17/2014 brewhaha said:
You must have had an AHA moment when you started using it.

Re: Do you like BHA's or AHA's ?

JeanLouiseFinch — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 22:25:50 GMT

I use Alpha Hydrox AHA every day, either the 10% gel or the 12% Souffle. Even when I experiment with other skincare products, and even sometimes change what I use, the AHA is the one thing I haven't quit.

Re: Do you like BHA's or AHA's ?

suzyQ3 — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 22:33:11 GMT

OP, your description of what each of the two acids does for your skin exactly dovetails with their function.

I stick with BHA because it is the preferred product for my sensitive skin; otherwise, I would use both as well because I do have sun damage.

Re: Do you like BHA's or AHA's ?

Kay SD — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 22:57:46 GMT

My esthetician told me alphas are for lines, betas are only for skin that breaks out.

Re: Do you like BHA's or AHA's ?

JeanLouiseFinch — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 23:00:43 GMT

On 6/17/2014 Kay SD said:
My esthetician told me alphas are for lines, betas are only for skin that breaks out.

That's an easy way to decide what you need.

Re: Do you like BHA's or AHA's ?

motherinlaw — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 23:17:20 GMT

AHA's

Re: Do you like BHA's or AHA's ?

suzyQ3 — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 00:01:27 GMT

On 6/17/2014 Kay SD said:
My esthetician told me alphas are for lines, betas are only for skin that breaks out.

Here's a good explanation of the difference between the two and the benefits of both. :

The primary difference between AHAs and BHA is that AHAs are water-soluble, while BHA is lipid-(oil) soluble. This unique property of BHA allows it to penetrate the oil in the pores and exfoliate accumulated skin cells inside the oil gland that can clog pores. BHA is best used where blackheads and blemishes are the issue, and AHAs are best for sun-damaged, thickened, dry skin where breakouts are not a problem.

What glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids all do is "unglue" the outer layer of dead skin cells, allowing healthier cells to come to the surface. You can expect almost immediate benefits from regular use of an AHA or BHA product which includes improved skin texture and color, unclogged pores, and moisturizers being better absorbed by the skin. Both AHAs and BHA affect the top layers of skin, and they help to improve the appearance of sun-damaged, dry, and/or thickened skin. Sun damage in particular causes the top layer of skin to become thicker, creating a dull, rough appearance on the surface of skin.

Re: Do you like BHA's or AHA's ?

MarenSeattle — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 00:20:14 GMT

On 6/17/2014 brewhaha said:
You must have had an AHA moment when you started using it.

*GROAN* -- but made me LOL!

Re: Do you like BHA's or AHA's ?

suzyQ3 — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 00:24:38 GMT

On 6/17/2014 MarenSeattle said:
On 6/17/2014 brewhaha said:
You must have had an AHA moment when you started using it.

*GROAN* -- but made me LOL!

That's our brewhaha for you.

Re: Do you like BHA's or AHA's ?

myshell624 — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 00:47:04 GMT

I like both but don't use them at the same time. My favorite BHA is Paula's Choice 2% Resist BHA liquid. May favorite AHA is ASDM Beverly Hills Glycolic cream. Some AHA's irritate my skin but this one makes it so smooth and soft. It has also helped reduce my pore size and I haven't had any breakouts since I started using it.

Re: Do you like BHA's or AHA's ?

ChynnaBlue — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 00:51:25 GMT

On 6/17/2014 suzyQ3 said:
On 6/17/2014 Kay SD said:
My esthetician told me alphas are for lines, betas are only for skin that breaks out.

Here's a good explanation of the difference between the two and the benefits of both. :

The primary difference between AHAs and BHA is that AHAs are water-soluble, while BHA is lipid-(oil) soluble. This unique property of BHA allows it to penetrate the oil in the pores and exfoliate accumulated skin cells inside the oil gland that can clog pores. BHA is best used where blackheads and blemishes are the issue, and AHAs are best for sun-damaged, thickened, dry skin where breakouts are not a problem.

What glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids all do is "unglue" the outer layer of dead skin cells, allowing healthier cells to come to the surface. You can expect almost immediate benefits from regular use of an AHA or BHA product which includes improved skin texture and color, unclogged pores, and moisturizers being better absorbed by the skin. Both AHAs and BHA affect the top layers of skin, and they help to improve the appearance of sun-damaged, dry, and/or thickened skin. Sun damage in particular causes the top layer of skin to become thicker, creating a dull, rough appearance on the surface of skin.

This is how I use them. I've loved salicylic acid for years and use it when I get breakouts or my forehead starts to feel less than smooth, like there are clogged pores waiting to cause trouble. Salicylic acid leaves my face smooth and reduces my clogged pores.

AHAs I tend to use on my upper chest. I spent many years working outdoors and at summer camps and it shows on my chest, hands, and arms more than anywhere else. I used sunscreen on my face, but would forget other placves. AHAs have helped improved my skin texture in places where I've had sun damage.

Re: Do you like BHA's or AHA's ?

14Victoria — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 00:55:32 GMT

From what I understand BHA is basically below the surface as in clearing out congested pores. When I stated using BHA a couple of years ago my acne prone congested skin really cleared up. I currently use Peter Thomas Roths BHA cleanser.

Re: Do you like BHA's or AHA's ?

wilma — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 01:00:01 GMT

BHAs work better for me. AHAs don't seem to do anything (positive or negative) for my skin. I used prescription Retin-A for almost a year and nothing noticeable happened.

Re: Do you like BHA's or AHA's ?

suzyQ3 — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 01:03:19 GMT

On 6/17/2014 ChynnaBlue said:
On 6/17/2014 suzyQ3 said:
On 6/17/2014 Kay SD said:
My esthetician told me alphas are for lines, betas are only for skin that breaks out.

Here's a good explanation of the difference between the two and the benefits of both. :

The primary difference between AHAs and BHA is that AHAs are water-soluble, while BHA is lipid-(oil) soluble. This unique property of BHA allows it to penetrate the oil in the pores and exfoliate accumulated skin cells inside the oil gland that can clog pores. BHA is best used where blackheads and blemishes are the issue, and AHAs are best for sun-damaged, thickened, dry skin where breakouts are not a problem.

What glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids all do is "unglue" the outer layer of dead skin cells, allowing healthier cells to come to the surface. You can expect almost immediate benefits from regular use of an AHA or BHA product which includes improved skin texture and color, unclogged pores, and moisturizers being better absorbed by the skin. Both AHAs and BHA affect the top layers of skin, and they help to improve the appearance of sun-damaged, dry, and/or thickened skin. Sun damage in particular causes the top layer of skin to become thicker, creating a dull, rough appearance on the surface of skin.

This is how I use them. I've loved salicylic acid for years and use it when I get breakouts or my forehead starts to feel less than smooth, like there are clogged pores waiting to cause trouble. Salicylic acid leaves my face smooth and reduces my clogged pores.

AHAs I tend to use on my upper chest. I spent many years working outdoors and at summer camps and it shows on my chest, hands, and arms more than anywhere else. I used sunscreen on my face, but would forget other placves. AHAs have helped improved my skin texture in places where I've had sun damage.

The part that I put in bold face suggests that both types can help with texture and smoothness.

Re: Do you like BHA's or AHA's ?

MrsSweetieBear — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 01:07:56 GMT

And then there's me, who much prefers BOA*, LOL!

Up until 2009 I did use BHA 2% from PC for a few years. I used a cleanser with AHA from various sources. But these were not getting the job done for me. I could not get clear or stay clear until I discovered BOA. Technically, BOA does contain fruit enzymes like AHA.

*(Buzz on Acne Spray)