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Which acid is stronger? BHA 2% or Lactic Acid 5%?
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bkkgirl
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Thu Mar 22, 2007 12:03 pm      Reply with quote
Also which is more effective at exfoliating, and why would you go with one over the other?

I also see so many diff acids out there. Just wondering how you pick which one you want to use.

TIA!
Tangal
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Thu Mar 22, 2007 12:23 pm      Reply with quote
well I am not sure 'which is stronger" is really accurate - because they work differently. So neither is stronger or weaker then the other - they are different. The strength is based on each individual product and how strong it is for your particular skin.

BHA is an exfoliant that mainly works inside the pores, removing debris from inside the pore lining, oil and cell buildup and product residue.
It exfoliates inside the pores, very little on the skin surface. Its very good for oily and acne prone skin, enlarged pores, clogged pores, and bumpy skin. Also has anti-inflamatory action and can assist product penitration because of the way it works within the pores. It can penitrate through oil, drawing other ingrediants with it.

2% BHA is considered a low level and well suited to many skintypes.

Lactic acid is an AHA. It is mainly a surface exfoliant. It has some action with in the pores, because it can penitrate through oils to a limited extent, but not as effective a pore exfoliant as a BHA.
It can help refine skin surface, lightening finelines, discolration, thickened skin, etc.
It can also assist with acne prone skin when combined with BHA use.

But its action is on the surface skin layer not within the pores so much. So it is more effective for skin refinement on the surface, and it can also help some with enabling better product penitration but in a different way then BHA.

5% Lactic, also a lower level, well suited to many skintypes.

Both act differently on the skin. One is more "surface", one is more "pore level"

The pH of the product will also effect concentration and strength.
bkkgirl
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Thu Mar 22, 2007 12:27 pm      Reply with quote
Tangal wrote:
well I am not sure 'which is stronger" is really accurate - because they work differently. So neither is stronger or weaker - they are different. The strngth is based on each individual product and how string it is for your particular skin.

BHA is an exfoliant that mainly works inside the pores, removing debris from inside the pore lining, oil and cell buildup and product residue.
It exfoliates inside the pores, very little on the skin surface. Its very good for oily and acne prone skin, enlarged pores, clogged pores, and bumpy skin. Also has anti-inflamatory action and can assist product penitration because of the way it works within the pores. It can penitrate through oil, drawing other ingrediants with it.

Lactic acid is an AHA. It is mainly a surface exfoliant. It has some action with in the pores, because it can penitrate through oils to a limited extent, but not as effective a pore exfoliant as a BHA.
It can help refine skin surface, lightening finelines, discolration, thickened skin, etc.
It can also assist with acne prone skin when combined with BHA use.

But its action is on the surface skin layer not within the pores so much. So it is more effective for skin refinement on the surface, and it can also help some with enabling better product penitration but in a different way then BHA.

Both act differently on the skin. One is more "surface", one is more "pore level"


Oh I see! Thank you, Tangal. Can you use BHA one day, and AHA the next day, kinda alternating between the two like that? Or can you use them together on the same day?
Tangal
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Thu Mar 22, 2007 12:32 pm      Reply with quote
yes to both.

Or some people use BHA on one area (say the oily T zone) and AHA on other areas.

As long as products are of the same pH (say both are at 3.0 pH) and simular formulas (both a liquid) you can layer one on top of the other, and actaully use both at the exact same time with a 30 minute wait, that will cover BOTH products at the same time. Layer BHA then AHA.

If they have different pH, then you need a 30 minute wait time on the skin with EACH product, for optimial benifit. (BHA wait 30 min, then add AHA wait 30 min) The lower pH goes first - wait 30 min, then the higher pH.

Or if they share pH, but different base thickness, you layer based on thickness. The liquid, then immediately after the lotion, then a 30 minute waittime for both together. (assuming they share pH)

Or if useing both daily do one in the AM with a 30 min wait, then one in the PM with a 30 min wait.

Or of course one on one day, one on the other.

Mainly you just need to work with your skin and find which way works best for your needs.

Some people need both acids daily, or even twice daily. Some only need one or the other every other day. Some use each maybe one or two days a week, or even once a week.

Lots of options.
bkkgirl
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Thu Mar 22, 2007 8:45 pm      Reply with quote
Thanks, Tangal. I really appreciate your answers. Very Happy
vikki_cooler
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Fri Mar 23, 2007 9:26 am      Reply with quote
Hard to say. But I remember BHA has certain side-effect, such as causing slight tinnitus. Once you stop it, tinnitus goes away.
vikki_cooler
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Fri Mar 23, 2007 9:42 am      Reply with quote
Hard to say. But I remember BHA has certain side-effect, such as causing slight tinnitus. Once you stop it, tinnitus goes away.
bkkgirl
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Fri Mar 23, 2007 9:53 am      Reply with quote
Actually I was wondering if you don't have a problem with clogged pores, do you need to use BHA?
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