In order for your skin to look its best, you need to exfoliate on a regular basis. But finding the right exfoliant for your skin can often be a challenge. One of the best ways to exfoliate for any skin type is with facial acids. Yet what facial acid should you look for? Keep reading in order to find out which facial acid is best for your skin type.
What Are Facial Acids?
Though the word acid sounds a little scary, facials acids are nothing to be frightened of.
Facial acids are derived from natural sources such as sugar or milk and are used to get rid of dead skin cells. This means that the acids get rid of dead skin cells sitting on the top layer of your skin revealing new and healthy skin cells underneath. Facial acids can also help clear up blackheads and breakouts.
Unlike scrubs which can irritate sensitive skin, facial acids can be used by people of all skin types.
Choosing the right facial acid for your skin depends on a number of things. First, you need to figure out if your skin is dry, sensitive, or oily. Consider your skincare goals as well: do you want to give your skin an anti-aging boost? Are you hoping to fight future acne breakouts? Once you take all these factors into account, you can decide which acid is right for your skin.
There are facial cleansers, masks, serums, pads, and even toners with acids in them. Follow the instructions on the skincare product package to know how often you should use the product you chose. Some products are mild enough to use every day, but most are probably best used two or three times a week.
If your skin becomes dry, red, or irritated after using a product with acids in it, try to use the product less. Make sure you give your products time to work in order to really see the long-term benefits of facial acids. Lastly, remember that when you exfoliate your skin regularly, you need to be extra careful about protecting it from the sun.
Be sure to stock up on sunscreen to use daily.
The Best Facial Acid for Dry or Sensitive Skin
If you have sensitive or dry skin using a product with lactic acid would work great for your skin. Lactic acid comes from milk. This acid is a large molecule so that means it does not penetrate the skin as deeply as other acids so it won’t irritate the skin. It gently removes dead skin cells giving you smoother skin as well as reducing the signs of aging such as fine lines.
Products To Try:
- Sunday Riley Good Genes
- Sanitas Skincare Lactic Cleanser
- Dermalogica Age Smart Skin Resurfacing Cleanser
The Best Facial Acid for Oily/Acne Prone Skin
Salicylic acid is perfect for oily and acne-prone skin. This BHA acid not only gets rid of dead skin cells it also has the ability to penetrate into the pore and clear out the stuck dead skin cells and sebum (oil) that have clogged the pore causing blackheads, whiteheads, and breakouts. It is also anti-inflammatory which means it will calm red skin and help prevent new breakouts from forming.
Products To Try:
- Philosophy Clear Days Ahead Oil-Free Salicylic Acid Acne
- Treatment and Moisturizer
- Neutrogena Rapid Clear Treatment Pads
- Aveeno Active Naturals Clear Complexion Daily Cleansing Pads
The Best Facial Acid for Normal Skin and/or If You Want Anti-Aging Benefits
Glycolic acid or another AHA acid is the way to go if you have normal skin. Glycolic acid is a small molecule which means it penetrates more deeply into the skin; this can cause irritation for sensitive or dry skin types. Not only does glycolic acid exfoliate the skin helping to reveal fresh, new skin, but it also can stimulate the formation of new collagen which means it slows down the signs of aging. Lastly, it can also help lessen the appearance of dark spots (hyperpigmentation) over time.
Products To Try:
- Philosophy Hope in a Jar Night Intense Retexturing Moisturizer
- Avon ANEW CLINICAL Advanced Retexturizing Peel
- Peter Thomas Roth Un-Wrinkle Peel Pads
- Olay Regenerist Night Resurfacing Elixir Resurfacer
- Epicuren Glycolic Lotion Skin Peel 10%
- DERMAdoctor Wrinkle Revenge 1 Antioxidant Enhanced Glycolic Acid Facial Cleanser