Safe and Unsafe Skincare Pairings With AHAs and BHAs

What shouldn’t be used in conjunction with AHAs and BHAs?

If you don’t use AHAs or BHAs in your skincare routine, you may have heard of these chemical exfoliants. Both of these acidic groups have significant positive effects on the skin.

What are AHAs?

Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) are chemical exfoliants that cleanse the surface of the skin of dead skin cells, dirt, debris, bacteria, and other impurities.

These can cause problems such as pimples, acne, blemishes, and dull, dry complexions.

The most common AHAs are glycolic and lactic acids, which are found in many popular skincare products such as toners and serums.

They are also effective in combating signs of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and sun damage.

AHAs are generally fairly large in molecular size. This means that they don’t penetrate into the lower layers of the skin and therefore don’t cause severe irritation.

What are BHAs?

Beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) are similar to AHAs and generally have similar exfoliating properties.

The main difference is that BHAs are not as readily available in over-the-counter products as AHAs, but are used in professional treatments such as chemical peels.

The most commonly used BHA is salicylic acid. Like the other acids mentioned, it removes dead skin cells and other impurities from the skin.

However, compared to AHAs, salicylic acid is oil-soluble and has a smaller molecule size. This allows it to penetrate deep into the pores and remove excess sebum, dirt, and bacteria.

Now that you have a summary of the effects of these valuable acids on the skin, let’s take a closer look and see what you should not use in conjunction with AHAs and BHAs.

What should you avoid after using AHAs and BHAs?

The following skin care products should not be used after using AHAs and BHAs:

Vitamin C

Retinol

Benzoyl peroxide

Physical peels

This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t use all of these active ingredients at the same time, it just means that you should alternate the times you use them.

Ideally, you should wait about 40 minutes between applications to rebalance the pH of your skin and prepare it for subsequent products.

Don’t rush into introducing new ingredients or products, especially if they already work well for you.

Choose skincare products that complement each other and help you reap the benefits of an effective skincare routine.

What can I combine with AHAs and BHAs?

Since both BHAs and AHAs exfoliate the skin, it’s recommended to combine them with moisturizing and nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, squalene, or glycerin.

These ingredients moisturize the skin and act as a soothing and calming agent after exfoliation.

This allows fresh skin cells to reveal themselves, which often need support to stay healthy and protected from free radical damage from UV rays, pollution, and other harmful environmental influences.

If you’re concerned about applying active skincare products on top of each other, it’s best to do a 24-hour patch test. To do this, apply 0.10 grams of the product to your forearm.

After 24 hours, if irritation is no longer present, you can apply the product to your face.

Can I use niacinamide after an AHA and BHA treatment?

Yes, it’s possible. However, it is important to note the best time of day to avoid unwanted irritation or reactions.

Depending on which products contain AHAs or BHAs, you can determine the right time to use niacinamide in your skincare routine.

The general rule of skin care is to apply products from thinnest to thickest to avoid forming a barrier on the surface of the skin that prevents the product from penetrating the skin.

Niacinamide is usually found in serums or moisturizers used later in your skincare routine. This leaves enough time to use a facial toner rich in AHAs, such as glycolic acid.

It can remove dead skin cells before niacinamide regulates sebum production and retains moisture in a protective barrier.

Beauty Insiders has a dedicated blog post on how to combine AHAs and BHAs with niacinamide. Be sure to read it if you want to learn more.

 

Can you combine AHAs and BHAs with hyaluronic acid?

Absolutely! Hyaluronic acid is one of the few ingredients that can be combined with almost any other active ingredient, even active ingredients like BHAs and salicylic acid.

For the best results and no signs of drying from AHAs or BHAs You’ll often find serums that have both exfoliants and hyaluronic acid in their formulas. This is the best of both worlds.

You can also layer the different products together to achieve the same hydrating and rejuvenating effects.

If you want to learn more about the best combinations of hyaluronic acid and BHA, read our blog post which goes into more detail.

Learn more about what not to mix with AHAs and BHAs. Although it may seem complicated at first, you’ll notice a noticeable improvement in your skin as you learn more.

Once you have a set skincare routine, you may be nervous about introducing new products because of the possibility of skin irritation.

However, stay consistent and introduce new ingredients slowly. Also, always check with your doctor or dermatologist to make sure you and your skin love your products.

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