The best way to use AHAs and BHAs for ingrown hair is by applying a thin layer of your exfoliant over the area where you get an ingrown hair. Use it once or twice a week and leave it on overnight so that it has time to work its magic.
Do: Use it overnight. My AHAs work the night shift to smooth your skin: zero effort required. Apply my AHA lotion all over, slip into your PJs, and dream of me. Sleep tight and wake up to your best skin yet.
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.
Keep in mind that AHAs increase sun sensitivity, so it's best to use all of these ingredients together at night. Each skin type requires different AHA routines. Here are three different plans based on sensitive, balanced and oily/acne-prone (for those who are oily but not acne prone, follow the balanced skin plan)...
Chemical exfoliants can be left on overnight or washed off after 10 minutes, depending on the product.
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.
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.
You can exfoliate around the eye area, but not the eyelid or directly under the eye (along the lower lash line). You don't need to wait for your BHA or AHA to absorb or dry; you can apply any other product in your routine—moisturizer, serum, eye cream or sunscreen—immediately afterward.
“Ingredients like retinoids, AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), BHAs (beta hydroxy acids) and some types of vitamin C can trigger purging by bringing hidden pimples to the surface of the skin faster than usual.”
No. 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.
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.
Introduce AHA and BHA slowly – your skin is always changing and will build up a tolerance, so start with a small amount of product, 1-2 times per week. This will be enough for your skin to get familiar with the ingredients.
Sunburn Alert: This product contains an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that may increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun and particularly the possibility of sunburn. Use a sunscreen, wear protective clothing, and limit sun exposure while using this product and for a week afterwards.
How long does purging skin last? It generally lasts around 4 weeks (an average skin cycle length) but it can last up to 8 weeks. If you're still breaking out more than usual after this period of time, consider what else you're using in your routine, as it may not be purging.
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.
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.
In the long run, skin purging helps us shed dead skin cells more effectively which reduces pore-clogging build-up and breakouts, and it does settle down after a few weeks. But you do have to buckle in and ride out a few weeks of discomfort to see the best results.
Alpha hydroxy acids begin to work almost immediately when formulated in leave-on formats (toners, liquid exfoliants) to reveal brighter, glowy skin. It takes a bit longer, about 2-4 months, to visibly recognize AHA-related anti-aging benefits, like a decrease in appearance of fine lines and wrinkles (4).
It is best to let your skin dry before applying an acid product, as wet skin makes irritation more likely. When using AHA/BHA products on damp skin, you'll feel a stronger tingling sensation than usual—as the substance has penetrated deeper into pores.
Flaky skin can be made worse by not applying a moisturizing product after exfoliating. If you only remove the dead skin without protecting the new skin underneath, it can lead to rough skin and uneven texture. Some people even experience peeling skin because the texture is so dry and rough.
You don't need to wait 30 minutes after applying AHA or BHA products before applying moisturizer. These products are buffered & will not be impacted by your moisturizer.
Don't: Forget to Wear Sunscreen and Moisturize
Exfoliation is best done at night before bed so your skin has time to rest before taking on the day. After exfoliating, it's important to remember to moisturize your skin that night and wear sunscreen the next day.
Studies have shown that well-formulated AHAs and PHAs do not damage skin's barrier (7). Instead, they disrupt the bonds that are holding dead cells to skin's surface, allowing them to shed like they once did. Moreover, research has shown that topical use of AHAs and PHAs can strengthen skin's barrier health (8).