Why AHAs Are a Skincare Superhero

By Lauren Rosenthal | July 25, 2024

We all want an optimal skincare routine that’s straightforward and effective, but wading through all of the skin-related buzzwords and ingredients can be tricky. We’re here to crack the code on some popular skincare heroes to better understand how they work and what they can do for our skin, starting with AHAs. This popular ingredient can be found in many top products, including a few Fall Box faves like the Elemis Superfood AHA Glow Cleansing Butter and the Herbivore Botanicals Milky Way 10% AHA + Oat Soothing Exfoliating Serum. But what are they exactly and why should we include them in our regimen?

What are AHAs?

AHAs, or Alpha Hydroxy Acids if we want to get technical, are a group of water-soluble acids that are derived from fruits, milk, or sugarcane. Common AHAs used in skincare include glycolic acid (from sugar cane), lactic acid (from milk), mandelic acid (from almonds), citric acid (from citrus fruits), and tartaric acid (from grapes).

Out With the Old

AHAs are primarily used to exfoliate the skin. By helping remove dead skin cells and make way for new skin cell regeneration, you’ll trade in dull skin for a brighter, healthier-looking complexion. Plus, by taking care of dead skin cell build-up, you may notice a difference when it comes to dark spots, wrinkles, and even acne.

AHAs + Collagen = Dream Team

We all know the importance of collagen in skincare, and once the top layer of skin is removed, AHAs can reach the middle layer of the skin where collagen lies. They’ve been shown to aid in collagen production by breaking down old collagen fibers.

They Play Well With Others

Too many dead skin cells can prevent your products from fully absorbing into your skin. Enter: AHAs. By breaking down the layer of dead skin cells, the other players in your skincare regimen can work at an optimal level! For example, now your moisturizer can hydrate new skin cells that were hiding under the dead layer above.

Check out the videos below for more info about the Fall Box products that include this skincare must-have!