The skinny on Alpha Hydroxy Acids

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (commonly known as AHAs) are well known in acne and skin care products.  Where does it come from?  Here’s the skinny on Alpha Hydroxy Acids.

AHA’s

You see them as glycolic acid or lactic acid.  But do you know where one of these comes from?  The answer may shock you.  Are you ready for it?  It’s milk!  Yes, milk!  Milk that is going sour has lactic acid.  Crazy, right?  The glycolic acid comes from sugarcane.

Milk as an AHA

I know it may seem strange but as you probably know, many skin care ingredients and even medications are derived from natural substances.  The nice thing about the lactic acid (AKA AHA) is that it can help remove dead skin cells and help your pH values stay balanced.  It can get rid of toxins and help with increasing collagen.  It’s also been shown to help wrinkles!  Milk is amazing – well, lactic acid is!

Milk Allergy

Do you have an allergy to milk?  Did you know that you most likely will not have a problem when used topically?  This is because the lactose is only a problem if taken internally.  Basically, your body can’t digest the lactose but if used on your skin, you generally won’t have a problem.  If you do have lactose intolerance, try the sour milk in a small area to see if you do get a reaction or not.

Glycolic Acid

Glycolic acid, on the other hand, can get into the skin layers so it is ‘stronger’ in a sense than the lactic acid.  For people that experience redness, you won’t want to use this since you have sensitive skin.  While this ingredient helps with collagen, some people can’t tolerate it on their skin.

Acne treatments

Knowing the benefits of these ingredients, this is why lactic acid and glycolic acid are often used by doctors to treat acne.  Some people swear by it, and you can now see why.  However, since some AHA’s can’t dissolve oil or penetrate the skin, they may not be as effective as salicylic acid.

So, it depends on what you are trying to do.  Do you want an acne treatment or are you looking for something to help exfoliate (and thus, remove dead skin cells) and increasing collagen – something in your anti-aging basket of tricks?

The skinny on Alpha Hydroxy Acids

Bottom line is to not waste your money on a multitude of products that say it will help your acne because you can always just go to your refrigerator and get some of that milk that is in the back – the one that has gone ‘sour’.  Wash with a gentle cleanser.  Then use the milk to do a gentle exfoliation and to help your skin with that collagen it’s been losing since you were in your 30’s.

Take care of your skin.  Learn about skin – learn about YOUR skin.  Listen to it!!!  Don’t overdo it and you’ll learn how to control your acne breakouts.  Find a simple solution that works for you.  There’s no need to spend thousands of dollars on skin care products – just invest in knowledge and you’ll be amazed at the results!!!

That’s the skinny on Alpha Hydroxy Acids.  Know what these ingredients can do for you – don’t just buy everything you think you need – based on what marketing has been ‘selling’ to you!

For more information about acne.  Here’s an article about How to get rid of pimples on your back.