SKIN CARE ACIDS 101 | PART 1

Show of hands if, until recently, when you heard the word ‘acid’ the first thing that came to your mind was: “won’t it hurt?” Don’t worry we promise you weren’t alone, acid sounds scary to be honest. Which is why in this post we would like to shed some light on a few acids, so you have a better understanding of this whole ‘acid’ business.

First off, including an acid as one of the products in your skincare routine, usually as a toner, will correct & alleviate a myriad of skin conditions, depending on what acid it is. We’ve decided to put together a 2-part post series explaining skin acids, what they do, what skin type they’re suitable for and where you can purchase them in Nigeria. Here’s part 1,  hope you find this series helpful.

 

GLYCOLIC ACID

What it does: Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) family. exfoliates, reduces appearance of fine lines/wrinkles, treats hyperpigmentation & corrects uneven skintone

Skin Type: All types.

PRODUCT SUGGESTIONS	WHERE TO BUY
Pixi Glow Tonic 5% Glycolic	SK Beauty
Paula's Choice Advanced Smoothing Treatment 10% AHA	Hilary Says
1. Klairs Gentle Black Sugar Charcoal Soap 2. Cosrx AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner	Your Skin's Love
Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution	Cho & Zen Beauty
1. Mario Badescu Glycolic Acid Toner 2. Mario Badescu Glycolic Acid Cleanser 3. Pixi Glow Peel Pads 4. Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA gel with Glycolic Acid.	Gebeesq

 

LACTIC ACID

 

What it does: Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) family. Exfoliates, aids skin-shedding, corrects sun-damaged skin

Skin Type: All types. Especially those with acne scars

PRODUCT SUGGESTION	WHERE TO BUY
Hydropeptide Pre-Treatment Toner	Hilary Says
The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA	Allure Beauty Store
1. The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA 2% 2. Neogen Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling Lemon Exfoliator	Gebeesq

 

L-ASCORBIC ACID

What it does: purest form of vitamin C. Anti-inflammatory, prevents UV damage, stimulates collagen, corrects uneven skintone & brightens skin tone.

Skin Type: All types

PRODUCT SUGGESTIONS	WHERE TO BUY
Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop	Your Skin's Love
Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum	Hilary Says
1. The Ordinary Ethylated Ascorbic Acid 15% Solution 2. The Ordinary 100% L-Ascorbic Acid Powder 3. The Ordinary Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2%	Gebeesq

 

SALICYLIC ACID

What it does: Also known as Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA), it exfoliates, unclogs the pores, refines pore size, builds elastin and collagen

Skin Type: Combination, Oily & Acne-prone

PRODUCT SUGGESTIONS	WHERE TO BUY
1. Cosrx Low PH Good Morning Cleanser 2. Cosrx Blackhead Power Cream	Your Skin's Love
Cosrx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid	Hilary Says
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution	Cho & Zen Beauty
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid	Gebeesq

 

FERULIC ACID

What it does: enhances retinol performance, reduces loss of collagen, prevents sun damage & fights-off free radicals

Skin Type: All types

PRODUCT SUGGESTION	WHERE TO BUY
Timeless C + E Ferulic Acid Serum	Hilary Says
The Ordinary Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3%	Gebeesq

 

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In Part 2 of this series we will be talking about: Citric, Hyaluronic, Amino, Retinoic & Fatty Acids. Be sure to check back!