When glycolic acid was introduced in the early 1990s, it was revolutionary for skincare. Known as an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), it was the first over-the-counter active ingredient you could use at home to accelerate cell turnover and reveal the fresher, smoother, plumper skin underneath. Later, we learned that the sugar cane derivative could also stimulate your skin’s collagen production. Then came salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) that could dissolve sebum build-up deep inside pores and act like an anti-inflammatory, making it good for red, irritated, acned skin. As a result, glycolic acid became the gold standard for anti-aging and salicylic acid became an anti-acne darling. That remained largely unchanged until recently. Now, some skincare products have lesser-known acids such as mandelic, phytic, tartaric and lactic. Why the additions? “I…
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Shape Singapore (Digital) - 1 Issue, December 2018