Skincare market is oozing ingredients and products everyday, while some products and ingredients fail to make their mark, some ingredients’ multi-functionality and versatility breaks all the bounds. One such ingredient is AHA.
Before we jump onto the deep deep world of exfoliation, let’s understand it with this simple chart:-
What Are the Various Exfoliants, and What Do They Do?Exfoliants are like scrubs, but in liquid/serum form. Exfoliants or Exfoliating Acids are a new buzz in the skincare market, as their claims glow beyond any other skin care ingredient. From dealing with textured skin and acne to giving a glowing skin and dealing with pigmentation. That one bottle of exfoliating acid has a lot of promises that it keeps.
Exfoliants Can Be Roughly Divided Into Three Types:
AHA or Alpha Hydroxy Acids
BHA or Beta Hydroxy Acids
PHA or Poly Hydroxy Acids
Without diving into the deeper chemistry, lets understand what each of them does:
1. AHA or Alpha Hydroxy Acids
AHAs help ‘Unglue’ the dead skin, and the top most layer of the skin. If you are struggling with the skin texture, hyper-pigmentation, whiteheads, or with post acne marks, AHA or Alpha Hydroxy Acids are your way to go!
Apart from this amazing exfoliating quality that they have to offer, AHAs also have a lot of moisturizing and properties. So if you have mature, dry, or dehydrated skin. AHA’s will be your best friends.
AHAs are predominantly available in different formulations, potencies, and products. It is always advisable to use exfoliating acids carefully, and build them up according to the skin’s tolerance. Care needs to be taken if you are using it along with retinoids. If that is the case, it is advisable to use each of them on alternative nights. They go best along with the Hyaluronic Acid.
TNW’s Latest, NEWEST Launch – AHA Toner and Serum is one such product that has been carefully formulated after looking at the Indian Skin. Both the products are concoction of AHAs that help reveal the brightest, most glowing skin.Along with the goodness of the most coveted GLYCOLIC ACID, these products also contain Lactic Acid. Both the acids work together to give you nourished, bright skin that glows like a 1000 Watt bulb!If you are a beginner to this entire exfoliation game, it is advised to pair up your exfoliating serum with TNW’s Hydroboosting Toner-Serum. This hybrid formula helps deeply nourish and moisturise the skin post acid application, that reduces the irritation that may be caused.
2. BHA or Beta Hydroxy Acids
BHAs help ‘Unclog’ the pores. Mind you, ‘Unglue’ and ‘Unclog’ are two different things. AHAs help break the glue that holds the dead skin to the fresh skin, whereas BHA helps clear the pores from deep within. So, if your concern is acne, blackheads, or comedones, then BHAs or Beta Hydroxy Acids are your pick.
As an Oil Soluble Exfoliating Acid, BHAs are Oily Skin’s best friend. Not only do they help with the primary Oily skin concerns, but also they help keep extra-oiliness in check and minimise the appearance of pores.If you are wondering about where to start, TNW’s Anti Acne Face Wash could be your first pick! If you are a pro, you can straight away jump to TNW’s Salicylic Acid Serum. Both the products have been formulated with the most loved BHA – Salicylic Acid, along with the goodness of Neem and Tea Tree that are known for their anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. All the ingredients work together to give you freshest, clearest skin of all time.It is advised to not use AHAs and BHAs together in a routine, as they may clash and end up irritating your skin. PHAs or Poly Hydroxy Acids are relatively new to the market, and are yet to create their space.
How Should I Start With Exfoliation? And what Is The Ideal Skincare Routine?
Since you are fully equipped with the gyaan of exfoliation, let’s see how these acids can be incorporated into your daily skincare routine.
In the case of AHAs, let’s see what acids go with them and what not:-
Now that you have a list of ingredients that work, or don’t work together. Skincare can be curated accordingly for each skin type.The basic morning and evening skincare could be:
If you are new to exfoliation, it is wise to include hydrating ingredients that reduce irritation.TNW’s Kumkumadi Face Wash could be an amazing cleanser in this routine, as it contains Niacinamide that goes well with a routine that contains AHA.In the night, it can be followed with TNW’s Cleansing Balm, which again contains Niacinamide to nourish the skin while gently taking off all the makeup and grime.TNW’s Rose Water is a perfect burst of hydration, not only at the second step, but at any step you feel like!
The third step in the morning would be TNW’s Aloe Vera Gel with 24K gold, while in the evening it is AHA Serum in the ‘treat’ step.Last, and the most important, in the morning skincare, DON’T FORGET TO WEAR SUNSCREEN. Using exfoliants makes the skin prone to sun and UV damage, hence it is important to layer up sunscreen post moisturization. In the night, moisturise and sleep well.
But exactly how can I begin with my AHA routine, how much, and how often shall I apply?
Now that the skincare deal is closed, let’s talk about how you can actually use your skincare ingredient – A bottle of AHA Serum and Toner.
1. Use It as a Mask
If you have generally sensitive skin, but also have texture and woes to deal with, it is advised to use it as a ‘mask’ at first. Clean your face with a mild cleanser (as recommended above), hydrate and tone your skin, take a few drops of AHA Serum and apply as you would.
The key here is to wash your face with cold water after 10 minutes. Mind you, WASH, DON’T WIPE, as it may be abrasive on freshly exfoliated skin. Do this twice a week and build your tolerance as per your skin.Remember, listen to your skin.
2. Use It on Alternative Nights
If you are using something that comes in ‘Ingredients that Don’t Go’ list, then it may be tough code to crack. But worry not, there’s a solution to everything. It is advised to use both the products on alternative nights. For example, if you are using along with Retinoids, then your routine could look like MWF- Retinoids, and TTS- AHA. Keep Sunday for sheet masking, you will be needing that. If the other ingredient is available in the form of cleanser, and not a leave on treatment, it CAN BE USED in the same routine.
3. Use It on Body to Tackle Pigmentation
Areas such as elbows, knees, and heels often tend to build up with dead, scaly skin. Applying some AHA on those areas twice a week ensures smoother, softer, skin. Skincare is like a diet, but applied topically. Hence, it takes its own sweet time to work and show results. A few tips to keep in mind before incorporating a new ingredient.
Discontinue using the product if it starts showing any adverse effects. A little purging is fine, but if you are getting acne on the areas that don’t usually break out, something is off. Give atleast a month’s time to the new ingredient to show results, and then come to the conclusion of Hit or Miss.Be gentle with your skin, don’t tug, pull unnecessarily while applying the products. Keep your body hydrated and nourished with good food and water, french fries every Sunday is not a problem!Now that you are fully equipped with our new product, and there is absolutely nothing left to know otherwise, what you are waiting for! Grab it before it goes!
