What is BHA and how does it affect our skin?
BHA, salicylic acid, many people have heard of it before, and it almost always has something to do with acne. So, today we're going to go into more detail about the ingredient BHA and answer the most frequently asked questions about it. Is BHA the same thing as salicylic acid? Who should use BHA, and how and when should you incorporate it into your skin care routine? How long does it take to see the effects?
What is BHA?
The acronym BHA stands for "beta-hydroxy acid." And yes, it is the same as salicylic acid. It refers to chemical peels and, unlike, for example, glycolic acid (which belongs to AHA), is lipophilic. The particles of salicylic acid are relatively large, which makes them very gentle.
What does BHA/salicylic acid do to the skin?
As already mentioned, BHA is one of the chemical peels. Compared to mechanical peels, they have the advantage that they are much gentler on the skin, do not damage the surface of the skin, and stimulate collagen synthesis, which in the long run leads to a glowing complexion.
Important: Never use chemical peels without sunscreen during the day. Salicylic acid is one of the ingredients that you should start with a low concentration and gradually increase, because at first it can be a bit aggressive for the skin. But then you can go to a concentration up to 2%, and in most cases this has a long-term positive effect. You can see the first effect when using products containing BHA, usually after a short time.
So BHA or salicylic acid is especially suitable for skin that is prone to acne. If you don't have a problem with that, then you don't really need salicylic acid. AHAs, such as glycolic acid, are often enough to remove dead skin cells and give your skin a healthy glow.
In some cases, regular use of salicylic acid can lead to dryness, but this can actually be neutralized with the right products.
What BHA/salicylic acid products should I choose?
We have several products that contain BHA or salicylic acid. The most popular products with BHA are toners, serums and creams:
Cosrx Refresh AHA BHA Vitamin C Daily Toner
NACIFIC Pink AHA BHA Cream
Cosrx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid
Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Cream
BHA/salicylic acid is a great ingredient for those with pesky acne problems.
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