Can You Leave AHA Skincare Products on Overnight? AHA skincare comes in many forms from short contact products such as cleansers to leave-on products such as serums. A glycolic acid serum for example is a highly effective overnight treatment for boosting cell turnover and smoothing skin while you sleep.
Can you leave AHA overnight? Absolutely. Just make sure that after applying the toner you're following it up with hydration, like my Hyaluronic Acid and Super Ceramide Night Cream to replenish the skin. In the morning, remember to wear SPF.
If you have time, you can use hydroxy acids and retinol sequentially. After applying an AHA or BHA product, wait for 30 minutes to allow your skin's pH to return to normal, and then apply the retinol product.
Yes, it is generally recommended to wash your face with water after using exfoliating water (like chemical exfoliants containing AHAs or BHAs) to remove any residue and ensure your skin is clean. This can help prevent irritation and allow your skin to better absorb any subsequent skincare products.
Chemical exfoliants can be left on overnight or washed off after 10 minutes, depending on the product.
Since exfoliation clears dead skin cells and buildup, exfoliating too often, using a harsh exfoliator, or leaving it on too long can compromise your skin barrier.
If you use a scrub or chemical exfoliator, apply the product gently using small, circular motions. Do this for about 30 seconds, and then rinse off with lukewarm — not hot — water. If you use a brush or sponge, use short light strokes. Never exfoliate if you have open cuts or wounds or if your skin is sunburned.
Apply evenly across the face and neck using fingertips. Do not use on sensitive, peeling, or compromised skin. Avoid the eye contour and contact with eyes both during application and rinse off. Leave on for no more than 10 minutes.
Although our AHA BHA Exfoliating Serum is gentle and soothing – you shouldn't reach out for it more than thrice a week. Using the serum daily can lead to over-exfoliation which zaps natural oils from the dermis. It can make your skin dry, and uncomfortably tight and even cause inflammation.
You will usually see terms like 'inflammatory lesions', or 'inflammatory acne', associated with ingredients which increase the skin turnover. Ingredients like retinoids, AHAs, BHAs, PHA, chemical peels and even lasers can prompt skin to purge.”
AHA and BHA acids are ingredients that have an exfoliating effect, so it is important that the skin is properly moisturized after using them to avoid irritation and dryness. It is recommended to use products containing hyaluronic acid, aloe or bisabolol, ceramides or squalane.
Don't mix: AHAs and BHAs should not be used with retinol products as this can cause irritation. Additionally, these ingredients should not be mixed with vitamin C products as this can also irritate your skin.
Generally, you should wait at least 30 minutes between applying an AHA and using a moisturiser. Give your skin time to absorb the AHA and let it do its magic before layering on additional products. Using an AHA and moisturiser simultaneously will cancel their benefits (and vice versa).
It is, of course, possible to over-use anything that works to resurface your skin, and the effects can be especially concerning. Using too many exfoliating acid-based products, or one product that is simply too potent, can damage the stratum corneum – the outermost layer of your skin, also known as the skin barrier.
So, which is better: AHA or BHA? The answer depends on your skin type. If you have dry skin, you should use an AHA because it will be more gentle on your skin. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, you should use a BHA because it will be more effective at penetrating the pores and clearing up blemishes.
Low-to-mid level (2%-10%) concentration AHA products can be used every day, as AHAs help normalize skin's healthy appearance. Rinse-off products like cleansers with AHAs can also be used frequently (2x a day). However, this doesn't mean you should purchase a 10% AHA exfoliant and begin using it twice a day.
If you have non-sensitive, acne-prone skin and are looking to address signs of aging or hyperpigmentation, glycolic acid may be the better choice. However, if you have sensitive, rosacea-affected, or hyperpigmentation-prone skin, mandelic acid is your hero.
Can you use AHAs and retinol together? No, our experts don't recommend using these ingredients in the same routine (unless it's formulated together in a single product) as they can lead to irritation, causing more harm than good. Instead, use AHAs on one night and use retinol, separately, the next.
The primary cause of burn spots after a chemical peel is overexposure to the chemical solution. This can happen due to leaving the peel on for too long, using a solution with a concentration that's too strong, or having sensitive skin.
Since it occurs as a result of cell turnover and movement of deeper clogs to the surface, purging should last for about one complete skin cycle, which is about 28-40 days or four to six weeks.
Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry gently. Follow up with a gentle moisturiser. Avoid actives or makeup for at least 8-10 hours. It is mandatory to use a broad spectrum sunscreen with minimum SPF30 to protect your fresh skin.
After cleansing, apply your toner. You can use your fingertips or a reusable cotton round—whichever you prefer. Next, apply your leave-on AHA or BHA exfoliant or exfoliating toner. There's no need to rinse and no need to wait before moving on to your next step.
The “black stuff” when you rub your skin is nothing but dead cells, dirt and surface grime. It comes off due to friction caused by rubbing your skin.
You do not need to wash off exfoliating serums or similar skincare products. Serums generally benefit the skin the most when they are remaining on the skin for the longest amount of time.