November 30, 2017

The Best Acid to Use, According to Your Skin Concern

Looking for a game-changing skincare product to tackle some of your skin’s biggest concerns? Look no further than this complete guide to skincare acids!

Despite its intimidating name, acids are actually one of the most effective skincare ingredients that deliver instant and long-term results. From hydrating moisturizers to skin-soothing serums, there’s an acid out there for pretty much every skin concern you have.

CONCERN #1: DRY SKIN

Uneven skin texture caused by flaky patches? These acids are great for treating dry skin:

1. Hyaluronic Acid

This particular acid (also known as HA) occurs naturally in the body. In skin care products, it can serve as a powerful humectant that binds and seals moisture to the skin, delivering an immediate boost of hydration that lasts the whole day. To give your skin a well-deserved hydrating treatment, try the Neogen White Truffle Serum in Oil Drop, an oil serum that helps moisturise and strengthen your skin barrier, leaving it plump and hydrated.

2. Oleic Acid

The best oils for dry skin are ones that contain higher amounts of oleic acid. This acid makes oils richer and heavier, so they can seal in moisture more effectively. The Klavuu Pure Pearlsation Divine Pearl Cleansing Oil contains safflower oil, which is a great source of oleic acid. This cleansing oil will hydrate as it cleanses, and keep your skin from feeling tight or even flaky after cleansing.

3. Ascorbic Acid

Ascorbic acid, or better known as Vitamin C, is one of the best acids for treating dry, patchy skin. It is a wonderful antioxidant that helps repair skin damage due to environmental stressors such as cold or pollution. The best-selling Tiam My Signature C Source contains 20% ascorbic acid, making it a powerful serum to add to your skincare routine.

4. Glycolic Acid

This fruit-based acid is great for dry skin since it removes the dull layers of your skin and promotes the production of collagen and elastin, making your face look and feel more plump over time. One of our favorite glycolic acid exfoliator is the COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid, which provides effective chemical exfoliation while brightening and moisturising the skin.

5. Lactic Acid

One of the most popular AHA in skin care products is lactic acid, known best for its anti-ageing properties. Dry skin types can have more trouble combating signs of aging, and need a lot of moisturising products to help balance the skin. Lactic acid is a gentler alternative to glycolic acid, so if you have dry and sensitive skin, then this might be a better option. Try using the Neogen Bio Peel Gauze Peeling Wine, which combines the benefits of both physical and chemical exfoliation, to gently even out those rough patches.

CONCERN #2: ACNE

From the occasional hormonal acne to stubborn, persistent breakouts, acne is a huge skin concern that almost everyone faces at one point or another, regardless of your skin type. Here are the acids that will help target your breakouts and prevent further inflammation:

1. Salicylic Acid

This probably the most well-known of all acids to treat acne-prone skin. This acid is oil-soluble, so it can dive deep into the pores and keep them clear. Salicylic Acid belongs to a group of acids called “Beta Hydroxy Acids”, or BHAs, which are truly lifesavers for managing acne. For a great acne fighting salicylic acid cleanser, try the COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser, which gets to root of your breakouts and is gentle enough to be used daily.

2. Glycolic Acid

Derived from sugar cane, glycolic acid is a go-to when trying to tackle a breakout, big or small. It’s also great for smoothing out the skin and repair the after-effects of a breakout (bye post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation!). We love the COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner, which contains a mix of AHA and BHA to help gently exfoliate dead skin cells and prevent any future clogging, without compromising your skin’s moisture level.

CONCERN #3: LARGE PORES

Whether you have dry, acne prone, or combination skin, overactive pores can be a real headache. These acids can be a great way to help minimize those pesky pores:

1. Lactic Acid

It’s super important to exfoliate and clear your pores from dirt or excess sebum to keep them from getting clogged. Lactic acid is a gentle way to control your skin’s oil production without triggering any unwanted irritation. Incorporate the Neogen Bio Peel Gauze Peeling Lemon as your exfoliator to brighten your skin and get some lactic acid into your routine.

2. Glycolic Acid

This acid is excellent for sebum control because it exfoliates the surface of the skin and clears your pores without drying out your skin. It also bolsters your moisture barrier which is great for those people battling dry skin induced oiliness.

CONCERN #4: ANTI-AGEING

It’s never too late or too early to incorporate these three anti-aging powerhouse ingredients:

1. Hyaluronic Acid

As we age, our skin loses the ability to hold moisture, resulting in the visible loss of firmness and plumpness. The role of hyaluronic acid is then to boost skin vitality by replenishing moisture that is crucial to having younger-looking, supple skin.

2. Ascorbic Acid

Out of the many beneficial forms of vitamin C, ascorbic acid has been backed by the most research for brightening and evening out your skin tone. Known to be an anti-aging superstar, it provides a range of benefits when added to your daily routine, from evening out your skin tone, improving hydration, and keeping your skin looking younger, longer!

3. Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHA)

This wrinkle-fighting group of acids safely exfoliate built-up layers of dead skin cells that makes skin look rough, dull and wrinkled, so that plump, new cells can rise to the surface. AHAs like glycolic acid helps stimulate the growth of collagen, which is responsible for skin's elasticity, and help smooth out fine lines and diminish the appearance of wrinkles.

CONCERN #5: SENSITIVE SKIN

Finding an effective acid that won’t irritate sensitive skin can be difficult task, but these skin-friendly acids pack a big punch without triggering fussy, sensitive skin:

1. Ascorbic Acid

Ascorbic acid is not always the first acid you think of when you think sensitive skin. However, there are so many versions of vitamin C out there that you can definitely find one that is sensitive skin-friendly. A hack you can try for sensitive skin is to dilute one to two drops of Vitamin C Serum with a nighttime essence or cream like the Tiam My Signature A+ Cream to brighten your complexion and even out your skin tone without any irritation.

2. Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is a must-have skin care ingredient for sensitive skin because it’s effective, but also super gentle. Whether you want moisture, a little plumping, or just to get that dewy, healthy shine, this acid is a go-to with pretty much immediate results.

3. Polyhydroxy Acid

PHAs (Polyhydroxy Acids) are seriously amazing for sensitive skin types because their molecules are much larger, making them more gentle than your average exfoliating acid. Check out the COSRX PHA Moisture Renewal Power Cream that leaves you with a healthy moisture barrier and smoother, more supple skin.