AHA/BHA Cream by SkinMedica®

Application:

• Morning and evening, after cleansing and serum.
• Face, neck and chest.

Best for:

• Skin tone and texture.
• Mild exfoliation.
• All skin types, especially acne-prone or hyperpigmented skin.

Together with AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser, this two-part series, together, are a sophisticated approach to daily acne care or hyperpigmentation. They contain alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA), which make for great anti-aging elements, too.

It gets better: this product also includes a stable, vitamin E variant (tocopheryl acetate), which works to fight free radicals that contribute to pigmentation and wrinkles. Moisturizers and water-binders like panthenol (pro-vitamin B5), squalane and others help to keep your skin supple, so that the acids don’t dry you out.

What are AHAs and BHAs?

AHA and BHA acids are comparable, but target different needs in the skin. This gives you a more comprehensive treatment of your acne, hyperpigmentation or even aging skin concerns. At the root of all of these issues is the need to exfoliate, and to remove dead skin cells. So, continuously exfoliating in the hours between washing and scrubbing can help improve your skin’s health faster. A chemical exfoliant can do that, without you needing to lift a finger! That’s what AHAs and BHAs are – chemical exfoliants.

You may already know that several over-the-counter, acne-focused face creams use salicylic acid alone (that’s a BHA). This ingredient is excellent for breaking through oil and dirt to clear out your pores at a deep level, without scrubbing.

But with the AHAs included in this moisturizer by SkinMedica®, you get the added benefit of fruit acids to help with cell turnover and shedding near the top layer of skin. This can increase collagen production, resulting in healthier, brighter skin with an even complexion.

For melasma or hyperpigmentation sufferers, the combination of AHAs and BHAs can be essential for a daily skin care routine.

A few helpful things to know about this product:

AHAs can increase your sensitivity to the sun. While everyone should be using sunscreen daily, and should be reapplying it every two hours, it is especially important when using this product. Remember: hyperpigmentation and wrinkles start because of sun exposure. Don’t make it worse by using AHAs without sunscreen!

Pro tip: After putting on the AHA/BHA Cream, follow with any of the following:

• Daily Physical Defense® Sunscreen (broad spectrum SPF 34, untinted)
• Sunforgettable® Total Protection™ Face Shield Sunscreen (broad spectrum SPF 50, tinted).
• Even Up® Clinical Pigment Perfector® Sunscreen (broad spectrum SPF 50, tinted), if you have pigmentation concerns.
• All Calm™ Clinical Redness Corrector SPF 50 Sunscreen (broad spectrum SPF 50, tinted), if you have redness concerns.

Then, try the Sunforgettable® brush-on mineral sunscreen for application over makeup every two hours (but not as your base).

This product works best when used with a gentle, exfoliating wash in the morning and evening. For example, the AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser by SkinMedica® or the Starting Up/Face® by PRESCRIBED solutions®.

Don’t use this cream alongside a retinol or vitamin C product, at least not without consulting a doctor first.

We also recommend following an aesthetician or doctor’s instructions to get the most benefit out of using this product. For example, if your hope is to use it for acne versus for melasma, the mix of products you use it with can be critical to achieving the effects you want. Some ingredients should not be mixed, while others work better together. Contact us, and we’ll come up with a skin care regimen that’s tailored to you!

Notable skin care ingredients:

AHAs found in this face cream include lactic acid, glycolic acid, citric acid, and malic acid. They are derived from natural sources, like bilberry, sugar cane, sugar maple, and citrus fruits. The BHA is salicylic acid, as mentioned above.

This product also includes:

Tocopheryl acetate – a stable form of vitamin E, to act as an antioxidant, which can further help reduce wrinkles and pigmentation.

Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) – also known as pro-vitamin B5 (yes, the one in shampoos), this is a water and moisture sealant for the skin. In addition, it has anti-inflammatory properties to help with redness from damaged cells.

Squalane – a hydrogenated, saturated, stable oil that helps with moisturization in a non-comedogenic (non clogging) way. It’s also an antioxidant, skin soother and some even say, an antibacterial agent. Not to be confused with squalene (notice the ‘e’?), which is less stable.