If you haven’t noticed, chemical exfoliation is really having a moment. You’ve likely heard us and every other beauty outlet talk about acids but maybe you still aren’t sure how they can help your skin. We understand your confusion. Without understanding their benefits, it can be hard to fathom why someone would voluntarily put an acid on their face.
To put it simply, acne-fighting acids help clean out pores and stimulate exfoliation. This is essential for anyone with acne but also aging, texture and hyperpigmentation concerns. Chemical exfoliation helps products reach deeper layers of the skin, whereas physical exfoliation (manual scrubs) only address surface layer issues. It may not seem like it but chemical exfoliation is actually much better than physical exfoliation for acne-prone and sensitive skin because it causes less irritation to skin's surface.
It’s important to note, using acids and chemical exfoliation causes an increase in sun sensitivity. If you are going to include this step in your skincare regimen, you MUST also use a daily SPF.
When looking at Glo’s lineup of acids that help treat and prevent acne, there are four categories that help in every stage of acne:
There are two major types of acids that help treat and prevent acne: Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHA) and Beta-Hydroxy Acids (BHA).
Even after active acne clears, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) or the discolored shadow marks still remain.
Now that we’ve covered the true acne-fighting acids, let’s take a look at some other important acids that don’t exfoliate but still play a key role in overall skin health.
Many acids are only available up to certain concentration levels for consumer purchase. If acne does not respond to over the counter products, a higher concentration may be necessary and must be administered by a licensed esthetician or dermatologist. In addition to the top acids previously discussed, Glo offers several professional chemical exfoliation peels that contain additional acids that assist in the exfoliation and acne treatment process.
Is chemical exfoliation part of your skincare routine? We would love to hear about your results in the comments!