BHA is not corrosive or abrasive and actually has soothing properties. Making it much kinder on your skin than scrubs and cleansing brushes. Salicylic acid is a
Still, you don't want to layer AHAs and BHAs on top of one another. These are both exfoliators, so using both can cause dryness and irritation.
And i know paulas choose says you don't need both an AHA and BHA exfoliant, but i prefer using BHA at night, and the 5% AHA lotion in the morning. It doesn't make my skin dry and i can use it all over. This combo really keeps my skin nice and smooth and helps tremendously with texture issue.
You don't need to wait for the BHA or AHA to absorb or dry; you can apply any other product in your routine - moisturiser, serum, eye cream, or sunscreen - immediately afterwards.
Although BHAs (like AHAs) have benefits for all skin types (hydrating, making fine lines and wrinkles less visible and improving firmness, skin tone and texture), they are particularly suitable for people with normal to oily skin, congested or enlarged pores, acne-prone skin and signs of skin ageing.
How to apply a BHA exfoliant. Whichever exfoliant you choose, it should be applied after cleansing and toning. The other products in your routine, like serums, boosters, and moisturizers, go on after your exfoliant in order from thinnest to thickest texture. (Don't forget to finish with sunscreen during the day.)
"Do not overuse an alpha-hydroxy-acid product," confirms Bolder. “Once every other day is plenty, unless you are on a programme with an expert that says otherwise.” However, it is often safe to use BHA daily.
You can test this yourself with a well formulated exfoliant: at night, apply your AHA or BHA as usual after cleansing and toning, and do a "split-test." Wait 20 minutes before applying your serum and/or moisturizer to one side, but the other side of your face, apply those next steps immediately.
How long does it take to work? You will find there are some instant results when using a product containing salicylic acid, particularly chemical toners. The skin will appear fresher looking with a healthy glow, in regards to treating any breakouts or other blemishes, you can expect to see results in 4-6 weeks.
Yes, it is safe to use niacinamide and BHA together. Both formulas are effective yet gentle and contain additional calming and restoring antioxidants. Some people with extra-sensitive skin may find that alternating them by using one in the morning and one at night works best.
In the first few uses, the liquid left a slight sting-tingle, but that just meant it was working. The feeling went away after a while, and it never left my skin feeling dry or over-sensitive. Sometimes, these cult-favorite skincare products are over-hyped, but Paula's BHA exfoliating liquid isn't one of them.
Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant reduced my breakouts by ~70% after 3 days of using it AM and PM! Note that timing is different for everyone. After 7 days of use, my skin felt very smooth and soft. It may take 5-14 days to see results (source) Don't give up!
BHAs can help soothe inflammation in those with sensitive skin or rosacea, Green added. You'll just need to use them less frequently — a few times a week to start — and pick products with a lower concentration of active ingredients.
Purging should then last the length of time for a full cycle. While that is different for everyone, it should on average last between 4 to 6 weeks. However, if your skin isn't getting better after 6 to 8 weeks, your skin may be having an adverse reaction to the new product(s).
BHAs are thought to self-neutralize after about 20 minutes, so most skincare experts advise letting it fully dry for at least 15 minutes before continuing with your regular skincare routine (i.e. essences, serums, moisturizers, spot treatments).
You can use AHA products on other acne-prone areas, including your backside and chest. According to the Mayo Clinic, it can take two to three months before you start to see significant acne improvements. It's important to be patient while the products work to relieve acne over time.
AHA and BHA products, as Graf points out, can help improve the texture of the skin and even out the skin tone. “Salicylic acid will brighten the skin, exfoliate it, and prevent new acne scars.,” she says.
It's also important to note that you MUST use this product on a dry, clean face. Do not apply this on wet skin, otherwise, it will not exfoliate it. There is a slight tingle when on the face – to me it just means that the acid is doing it's work.
You can test this yourself with a well formulated exfoliant: at night, apply your AHA or BHA as usual after cleansing and toning, and do a "split-test." Wait 20 minutes before applying your serum and/or moisturizer to one side, but the other side of your face, apply those next steps immediately.
It works by penetrating and dislodging the gunk (sebum) in your pores, so that it's no longer trapped — resulting in a lower chance of triggering an acne breakout." When you combine salicylic with a moisturizer, you're essentially chemically exfoliating your skin while also giving it the hydration it needs to avoid—you ...
Can I Combine AHA/BHA With Hyaluronic Acid? Yes! In fact, this is an ideal combination. Hyaluronic acid doesn't function like an AHA or BHA in that it does not strip your skin — it's actually highly nourishing and hydrating, so having “acid” in the name is a bit misleading.
The short version: Your skincare products will be more effective if you wait for a little bit of time in between adding each layer. How long? Each product is different, but wait until the tackiness of the product has subsided. A good rule of thumb is to wait about one minute in between each product.