Everything you need to know about Polyhydroxy Acids (PHAs)

The Chemical Exfoliants You Need To Try!

By now most of us know the difference between our AHAs and our BHAs when it comes to what’s in our skincare (if not, check out this blog!). But have you ever heard of PHAs? PHA stands for Polyhydroxy Acid, which is essentially another group of chemical exfoliants you can use in your skincare routine. While you may be thinking "wait there's another one?" PHAs have their own special abilities that set them apart from traditional chemical exfoliants. They have a bunch of unique properties which make them a great alternative for someone who is prone to sensitive skin, or if you find your skin never stays hydrated. So keep reading to find out how using PHAs can help you exfoliate your skin without any irritation.

We like to think of PHAs as a sister, or maybe more like a cousin to our beloved AHAs. In the same way, PHAs work to get rid of dead skin cells on the surface by gently exfoliating. They work to reveal that smooth, clean-skin feeling that we all love. However, as polyhydroxy acids have a larger molecule size, they are not able to penetrate deep beneath the surface of your skin as an AHA or BHA can. This is exactly what makes them great for those of us with sensitive skin. But it's not just sensitive skin that can see the benefits of PHAs!

Dry and oily skin types can join in too! If you find yourself suffering from dryness, especially as Winter gets closer, PHAs also help keep your skin hydrated. As a humectant, having these ingredients in your regimen helps to attract water to moisturise and protect your skin. This also helps your skin to regulate its oil production. But that's enough chemistry for one day! Let's explore some of the ways you can start incorporating PHAs into your skincare routine!

PHAs In Your Skincare

It's time to break down the most common ways you will find polyhydroxy acids in your skincare routine, starting with Gluconolactone. While it may seem like more skincare jargon, it's actually the most common PHA ingredient you will find in your skincare products, alongside Lactobionic acid. Both of these ingredients can be formulated in many different ways. You can find them both in cleansers, moisturisers, eye creams and everything in between! This is because they pair so well with other AHA ingredients. Additionally, this is why you will often find these two as a dynamic duo in your skincare products.

emerginC Aromatic Cream Tea Cleanser

Finding a gentle cleanser that goes beyond removing your daily makeup and SPF can be super tricky for those with irritation-prone skin. The emerginC Aromatic Cream Tea Cleanser is gentle enough for anyone to use, with the added bonus of a subtle exfoliation from gluconolactone. This is a great way to see how your skin reacts to these kinds of active ingredients. This way, you can work your way up from there!

CosMedix Shineless Moisturiser

Keeping oily skin hydrated is an ongoing battle! Trying to find the right balance between exfoliating and feeding your skin much needed moisture can be a challenge. Reaching for an oil-free moisturiser with the added benefits of PHAs like the CosMedix Shineless Moisturiser helps to keep your blemishes under control. The magical active ingredients in this formula get to work smoothing and brightening your complexion. All while keeping your skin looking matte and flawless, even under makeup.

Skin Regimen Glyco Lacto Peel

Nighttime is when we reach for all our favourite skin-pampering products. Treatments, peels, serums galore, every beauty lover should have a self-care line up ready to go! Now it’s time to make room for some PHAs in your routine. Lactobionic acid is another common PHA which functions as an antioxidant, helping to protect the skin against further sun damage. Skin Regimen have incorporated this ingredient alongside Glycolic Acid into their appropriately named Glyco Lacto Peel to provide a gentle at-home peeling treatment to promote cell renewal.

Dermalogica Phyto-Nature Firming Serum

After treating your skin to a transformative peeling treatment twice a week, help maintain the results by using the Dermalogica Phyto-Nature Firming Serum every day after you cleanse. If we were going to list all the incredible ingredients in this serum, you would need to grab a snack because we'd be here for a while. Hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and PHAs in the form of gluconolactone are just a few of the elements that help reveal a luminous, lifted complexion right from your first use.

If your skin is suffering from some over-exfoliation, put down the facial scrubs! Step away from the BHAs and AHAs and consider switching to a PHA infused skincare regimen. This will not only reset your skin but will also provide just enough exfoliation to keep your complexion looking clear and bright. PHAs really prove that combatting dull, congested skin can be achieved by anyone and it doesn't mean you have to use products that are too harsh for your skin type.