Which Acids Can Work Wonders for Your Skin?

When you hear the words skin and acid together, it may call to mind intense peeling or red-looking skin, but there’s a brighter side to this skincare story. Some acids are touted in the dermatology world for their hydrating, lightening and rejuvenating effects on skin—leaving a dull, complexion visibly transformed. Other acids are the first line of defense against acne and signs of aging.

Learning the ins and outs of acids can help you find the right products for your specific skin type or condition. Check out our list of common skin concerns and skin-friendly solutions with potent acid ingredients:

• Troubled by wrinkles or large pores? Both are natural signs of aging, which can be reduced with the acid-based products. REDEFINE ACUTE CARE™ for Expression Lines targets wrinkles with line-defying hyaluronic acid—an ingredient which is naturally occurring and abundant in youthful skin, but declines with age. While you can never change the physical size of pores, you can minimize their appearance with skincare products that contain hydroxy acids to exfoliate dead surface cells—think REDEFINE Regimen for the Appearance of Lines, Pores and Loss of Firmness.

• Age spots, brown spots or discoloration got you down? Changes in skin pigmentation are common in the course of a lifetime, yet they often affect how our age is perceived by others. Whether the unwanted marks are due to sun damage, hormonal changes (resulting in melasma), or other forms of hyperpigmentation, several acids come to the skin’s rescue in the REVERSE Regimen. Alpha hydroxy acids loosen dead skin cells, kojic acid and antioxidants visibly brighten, and salicylic acid exfoliates and refines skin for a more radiant complexion.

• Agonizing over acne and post acne marks? Exfoliating ingredients like alpha hydroxy acid and salicylic acid help renew the skin by shedding surface cells that contain abnormal or uneven pigmentation. This allows lightening agents or other active ingredients to more easily penetrate the skin. Try UNBLEMISH Regimen to break the acne cycle—and diminish the visible signs it leaves behind on your skin.

Bottom line: Before using new acid-based skincare, always do a spot test to see how your skin reacts. Ease the products into your routine by using every few days at first, then build up to daily applications. Boosting your skincare smarts can lead you to the products most likely to deliver the best result of all: radiant, healthy-looking skin.