Over the years, Acids have become a powerful ingredient in
skincare products.
Beta Hydroxy Acids, commonly known as BHA’s being one of them.
Hi I’m Shruti and today I’m going to tell you how BHA’s work in reducing and
preventing the unwanted guests that reside on your face.
So if you are someone facing acne and blemishes, this video is definitely one
you shouldn't miss out on.
Beta Hydroxy Acids are oil soluble acids.
They penetrate deep into your skin and encourage exfoliation which brings
out healthier and younger-looking skin cells to the surface.
They do so by breaking the cellular glue that holds all
your dead skin together.
These chemical exfoliators also clean your clogged pores of any excess
sebum, making this ingredient helpful for those who have combination-to-oily
skin that is prone to acne.
Apart from being a successful warrior against pimples and blemishes, this
skin superstar also works to improve photoaging, pigmentation & wrinkles.
It also boosts collagen leaving you with firmer-looking skin.
The best way to use BHA infused products is to do a patch test first.
If your skin experiences irritation or stinging, avoid using it and
consult your dermatologist.
If the patch test is successful, then it's advisable to follow the label
instructions without exceeding the recommended application.
Salicylic Acid is the most commonly used BHA which is derived from the bark
of a willow tree, (also from where we get Aspirin) which means
it has anti-inflammatory properties.
You will find that this acid is infused in many acne-fighting serums, cleansers,
moisturisers, toners and even face washes.
In a nutshell, Salicylic Acid is highly keratolytic and comedolytic which
implies that along with dissolving dead skin cells on the skin’s surface,
it breaks apart the debris and seeps into the pores.
Considering it aids in shredding old cells, it is also used to get rid of warts,
nasty cysts, blackheads and even psoriasis.
Salicylic Acid reduces those annoying bumps and flair-ups which people
with acne-prone skin usually face.
In short, this acid is like a brush for your pores which stimulates natural
exfoliation leaving you with clear, bright and acne-free skin.
Because of this reason, Salicylic Acid is a great choice when it comes
to treating sun spots and pigmentation as it lowers the risk of irritation.
Dermatologists recommend a salicylic acid formulation that contains
0.5% up to 2% of Salicylic Acid.
We advise that one should start with a low concentration and then go up.
Dry and sensitive skin may not react best to it so what they can do is just go
for a spot treatment rather than slathering it all over the face.
Since it is a chemical exfoliator at the end of the day, pregnant women and
infants should totally avoid it.
Salicylic acid is potent and powerful but it’s still not been proven to fight
against bacteria, which is one of the main causes of Acne.
Hence for effective results, it's often paired with benzoyl peroxide.
If you are also using AHA’s in your regime, avoid using
both the acids together.
Use one in the morning and the other before you go to sleep.
Lastly, the shredding of the skin cells make our top new layer sun-sensitive,
so it's imperative you never skip sunscreen after using BHA’s.
If you suffer from oily skin then chemical peels are great.
Sometimes, these peels can be expensive so here’s a quick
BHA Chemical Peel DIY that you can try at home.
Take 1 tablespoon of baking soda and mix it with 1 cup of water
and set it aside.
Take another dish and crush 12 uncoated aspirin tablets and
sprinkle lemon juice on it till it becomes a thick paste.
Avoiding your eyes, put this on your face and let it sit for 10 mins and
then remove it with the baking soda mix.
With a little bit of patience and of course, Beta Hydroxy Acid you can say
goodbye to those angry swollen bumps.
We hope you found this video helpful.
Until next time stay tuned and stay Glamrs!