Ailments & Remedies • All • Botanical Wisdom

Renew Your Skin With Alpha Hydroxy Acids

Brighten, soften, and reverse sun damage with these naturally occurring acids.

By Jordan LaFragola 2 min read

Renew Your Skin With Alpha Hydroxy Acids

What are alpha hydroxy acids?

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are a group of naturally occurring acids that are commonly used in skincare products. They are derived from various sources, such as milk (lactic acid), sugar (glycolic acid), citrus fruits (citric acid), apples (malic acid), and grapes (tartaric acid).

What do alpha hydroxy acids do?

AHAs are keratolytics, which are compounds that can break down a thickened stratum corneum (the outermost layer of the skin) and psoriatic plaque, which causes dry, flaky, irritated skin. This creates an increase in both cell turnover and collagen synthesis.

In addition, AHAs are capable of penetrating all the way down to the dermis (the deepest layer of the skin), suppressing melanin formation, and increasing levels of hyaluronic acid in the skin.

How do alpha hydroxy acids improve skin?

AHAs are known for their exfoliating properties, resulting in smoother, brighter, and healthier-looking skin. They can help improve the texture, tone, and appearance of the skin, reduce the appearance of fine lines, and even out skin discoloration. They are particularly beneficial for damage caused by sun exposure and can even help with difficult-to-treat melasma.

How to incorporate alpha hydroxy acids into your skincare routine.

There are a number of skincare products that contain AHAs, you just need to check the labels to see what kinds they contain.

Another great way to incorporate AHAs is with homemade toners and masks. Apple Cider Vinegar is an excellent toner that you can use straight on its own or diluted 50% with water if your skin is sensitive.

There are many facial masks you can easily make using yogurt or buttermilk (lactic acid), honey or agave (glycolic acid), white wine (tartaric acid), and citrus juices (citric acid). I recently published a blog post on making your own skincare masks here if you need some inspiration.

Alpha hydroxy acids in Flora Mirabilis.

Our Fountain Of Youth Cleansing Clay contains powdered Apple Cider Vinegar, which is a great source of Malic acid. I chose to include this ingredient in the formula because Malic acid is one of the mildest AHAs, and it works well as a daily cleanser to gently resurface your skin, revealing brighter, smoother, and clearer skin. Click here to shop our Fountain Of Youth Cleansing Clay.