What Are BHAs and AHAs - Exfoliators for Soft Skin - Eraorganics.com - S58 E01

From Era Beauty & Wellness Podcast · 7:34

Show by Clinical Strength Clean Beauty & Wellness

What are BHAs and AHAs - Exfoliators for Softer Skin. Alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acids are two families of exfoliating acids that loosen old surface cells so fresher skin can come through, and this episode breaks down how each one works. The hosts explain the core difference between water-soluble AHAs, like glycolic and lactic acid, and oil-soluble BHAs, like salicylic acid, and why that solubility determines whether an acid works mainly on the surface or travels deeper into the pore. They cover how AHAs help with tone, texture, fine lines, and support for collagen, while BHAs are prized for clearing clogged pores, oiliness, and breakouts. The conversation also walks through safety basics such as patch testing, easing in slowly, watching acid percentage and pH, and keeping these acids on separate nights from retinol, plus guidance on timing AHAs and BHAs through the day. They close with a nod to the Exfoliating Glycolic Mask as a simple at-home option for trying this kind of exfoliation.This episode is based on scientific studies and research as detailed in the original article "What Are BHAs and AHAs - Exfoliators for Soft Skin - Eraorganics.com" published on Era Organics. For the full breakdown of how AHAs and BHAs work, their individual benefits, and how to use them safely: https://www.eraorganics.com/blogs/raw-ingredients/what-are-bhas-and-ahas Learn more about Exfoliating Glycolic Mask: https://www.eraorganics.com/products/glycolic-acid-chemical-peelThis episode is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.TranscriptClaire says: Today on the show we're digging into What are BHAs and AHAs - Exfoliators for Softer Skin.Owen says: Oh, this is a good one. I feel like these two letters get thrown around skincare aisles constantly and nobody actually explains what they mean.Claire says: Right, people see them on a bottle and just assume it's some kind of magic acid soup.Owen says: Which, honestly, kind of is what it is. Just a very specific, controlled kind of acid soup.Claire says: Okay, let's actually break it down. So AHA stands for alpha hydroxy acid, and BHA stands for beta hydroxy acid.Owen says: And the big difference between them comes down to how they dissolve.Claire says: Exactly. AHAs are water soluble. They're natural acids you find in things like fruit, sugar cane, and even milk.Owen says: Milk, really?Claire says: Yep. Lactic acid is technically an AHA.Owen says: And BHAs are the oil soluble ones.Claire says: Right, which matters a lot because oil soluble means they can actually get down into the pore itself, past all that oil sitting in there.Owen says: So AHAs are more surface level, and BHAs go deeper.Claire says: That's the basic split, yeah. And both of them work the same general way underneath it all. They loosen up that top layer of old, dead skin cells.Owen says: So they're helping your skin shed what it doesn't need anymore.Claire says: Exactly, and in doing that, they kind of nudge your skin into making fresh new cells to replace them.Owen says: Which is why people talk about that glow afterward.Claire says: Right, it's not magic, it's just your skin showing its newer layer instead of the old tired one sitting on top.Owen says: Okay, so let's get specific. What do AHAs actually do well?Claire says: So glycolic acid and lactic acid are the two big names here. Glycolic acid has a really small molecule size, which lets it get in there and exfoliate pretty effectively.Owen says: And that helps with texture.Claire says: Big time. Rough patches, uneven texture, that's where glycolic acid tends to shine.Owen says: What about lactic acid?Claire says: Lactic acid is known for helping with hydration while it exfoliates, and it can soften the look of fine lines.Owen says: So it's doing double duty, smoothing and hydrating at once.Claire says: Pretty much. And AHAs in general are known for fading hyperpigmentation, calming down fine lines and wrinkles, and even nudging along collagen production.Owen says: Collagen helps with that firmness and bounce in the skin.Claire says: Exactly, so over time AHAs can support elasticity too, not just surface smoothness.Owen says: Okay, now flip over to BHAs. Salicylic acid is the famous one there, right?Claire says: It is. And salicylic acid's whole reputation comes from being so good with acne.Owen says: Because it goes into the pore itself.Claire says: Right, it's oil soluble, so it can travel where oil collects, breaks things up, clears out the gunk.Owen says: Which makes it a go to for anyone dealing with clogged pores or breakouts.Claire says: And also for sun damage. BHAs get mentioned a lot for helping with that too.Owen says: So if I had to boil it down, AHAs are more about tone, texture, fine lines, that overall surface glow.Claire says: And BHAs are more about pores, oiliness, acne.Owen says: Which one wins if someone has, say, dark spots and uneven tone?Claire says: That's an AHA job, glycolic or lactic acid…

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