Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)

Common AHAs include glycolic acid, lactic acid, and mandelic acid, with glycolic acid having the most research behind it. They can be found in over-the-counter products, and can be also be administered by an esthetician/cosmetician, nurse, or doctor in higher percentages as a professionally-administered chemical peel. 

While AHAs will not completely eliminate acne on their own, when combined with other treatments, they can turbo-charge an acne-fighting regimen, mainly through their ability to exfoliate the skin. 
 

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Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) What Are the Chemical Structure of Lactic Acid and Lactate and How Is Lactic Acid Made? Lactic acid and lactate are different forms of the same molecule. This article will describe the chemical structures and methods of synthesis of lactic acid... October 02, 2020

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) How Polyhydroxy Acids May Help with Acne Polyhydroxy acids absorb more slowly than alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs). They also increase antioxidants and skin moisture. But can they help with acne? We only have one study that shows they can clear acne by 20%. July 06, 2020

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) How Mandelic Acid Helps with Acne Mandelic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps exfoliate the skin, thus helping to reduce pore clogging and potentially reducing acne. It penetrates less deeply into the skin compared to other AHAs and has less side effects. June 16, 2020

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) Glycolic Acid (Alpha Hydroxy Acid - AHA) Glycolic acid powerfully exfoliates the skin and can be used as an all over treatment, a spot treatment, or to prevent irritation. Learn all about it here. June 09, 2020

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) How Lactic Acid Helps with Acne Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), best known for its anti-aging properties. But similar to other AHAs, it may help reduce acne through... June 09, 2020

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) How Glycolic Acid Helps with Acne Glycolic acid is the most-used alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) for acne treatment. It exfoliates the skin, helping to unclog pores. It is available over-the-counter in strengths up to 10% and in professionally-administered peels in strengths up to 70%. June 09, 2020

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) How Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) Help with Acne Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), like glycolic acid, lactic acid, and mandelic acid help clear acne by exfoliating the skin, helping to reduce the clogging of pores. Over-the-counter strengths are available up to 10% and professionally-administered peels range from 10% - 70%. June 09, 2020

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) vs. Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs) AHAs (glycolic acid, lactic acid, mandelic acid) and BHAs (salicylic acid) both exfoliate the skin and help clear acne, but do so in different ways. Their efficacy is about the same, and either type of acid must be combined with other treatments to completely clear acne. April 25, 2020

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) Learn About Glycolic Acid How to use Acne.org AHA+ (10% glycolic acid) December 07, 2019