Should I wash off AHA BHA?

Author: Vicky Prosacco III  |  Last update: Wednesday, May 21, 2025

It's a leave-on chemical exfoliant that goes to work shedding layers of dead skin, unclogging pores & smoothing bumpy texture. Use it after cleansing & toning—follow with the rest of your routine. Always finish with SPF during the day!

Do you leave AHA on or wash it off?

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.

How long should I leave AHA BHA on my face?

Chemical Exfoliants (like AHA or BHA products): These can vary significantly. Generally, you should leave them on for about 10 to 20 minutes, but always check the product instructions. Some leave-on chemical exfoliants are designed to stay on the skin longer.

Should I wash my face after AHA BHA?

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.

How to wash off AHA BHA peeling solution?

Avoid the eye contour and contact with eyes both during application and rinse off. Leave on for no more than 10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. Contact of the product with the skin must be of limited frequency or duration.

How to Exfoliate skin| Watch this before using any peels, AHA, BHA on your skin| Dermatologist

What should I do immediately after an AHA BHA peel?

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.

Do you rinse off exfoliating solution?

Do you wash off exfoliating serum? 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.

Can I wash AHA BHA with cold water?

The safest thing you can do is use room temperature or lukewarm water. Rinse gently or put cleansing soap on your sensitive areas to provide a buffer from the AHA/BHA.

What should you not use after AHA BHA?

Some of the main skincare ingredients you should not apply to the skin after using AHA and BHA are the following.
  • Vitamin C.
  • Retinol.
  • Benzoyl peroxide.
  • Physical exfoliating scrubs.

How long does AHA BHA purging last?

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.

What happens if I use AHA BHA everyday?

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.

Do I need to moisturize after AHA BHA?

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.

Can I leave AHA BHA overnight?

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.

Should I rinse my face after exfoliating?

Exfoliation Before Cleansing

Scrubbing first loosens dead skin cells, dirt, and other debris. Following with a cleanser then washes away these loosened particles, providing a thorough cleanse and leaving a smooth, receptive surface for moisturizer.

What should not be paired with AHA BHA?

DON'T MIX: AHA/BHA and niacinamide

Niacinamide is used to treat hyperpigmentation and reduce fine lines and wrinkles, while alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) are chemical exfoliants. To understand why niacinamide shouldn't be mixed with AHAs and BHAs, you need to consider pH.

What are the side effects of AHA BHA serum?

Risks of AHAs and BHAs

Skin care products with either ingredient may irritate your skin, bring on redness, or make you more likely to get a sunburn for up to a week after you stop using them. It's a good idea to talk to a dermatologist before you try an over-the-counter product with AHAs or BHAs.

Can you use AHA BHA on pimples?

Benefits of AHA and BHA Exfoliants

You can also help treat all types of acne with AHAs and BHAs. Since AHAs work on the surface of your skin, they're great for treating surface pimples like whiteheads and blackheads. BHAs work underneath the surface to unclog pores and heal cystic acne more quickly.

Should I wash my face after an AHA BHA peel?

After the time is up, it's important to neutralize the peel to stop the acid's activity. Some peels come with a specific neutralizing solution. If yours doesn't, you can gently rinse your face with lukewarm water and apply a soothing, pH-balanced toner.

Should you wash your face after using BHA?

It's a leave-on chemical exfoliant that goes to work shedding layers of dead skin, unclogging pores & smoothing bumpy texture. Use it after cleansing & toning—follow with the rest of your routine.

Should you use AHA BHA on wet or dry skin?

Wet skin leads to irritation with acids, so it's better to let your skin dry before applying your product (at least a few minutes or even 30 minutes if you want to be sure). – acids products are more effective on the skin with a low pH.

Do you wash off AHA BHA serum?

Avoid the eye contour and contact with eyes both during application and rinse off. Leave on for no more than 10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. Contact of the product with the skin must be of limited frequency or duration.

What is the black stuff when I rub my skin?

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.

How long to leave on BHA?

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.

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