Here’s A Fool-Proof Way To Layer Acids In Your Skincare Routine

The skincare world has long surpassed the basic CTM routine. Now, we’ve got exfoliating and serum-form acids that are super-effective and yield fast results. But with so many actives out there, choosing the right one, and layering it the right way in your routine can be seemingly daunting. So, if you too randomly wonder, “Do AHAs and BHAs go together? Can I use niacinamide with retinol?” Then you’re at the right place. We’ve broken down this labyrinth for you! 

What Are Acids In Skincare 

Acids can do so much for the skin, from fighting wrinkles and delivering an even skin tone to reducing scars and taming acne, a skincare routine without acids is just incomplete. If you need a little more convincing about using acids, then the below reasons will surely do the job. 

Commonly Used Acids In Skincare 

• Glycolic Acid: A well-known type of AHA (alpha hydroxy acid), glycolic acid melts away dead skin cells, to bless you with glowing and healthy skin

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• Salicylic Acid: It is a type of BHA (beta hydroxy acid), that goes deeper into the skin to rid you of the pores, and dirt napping in your skin’s pores

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• Lactic Acid: The milder cousin of glycolic acid, it is a perfect exfoliator for those with sensitive skin. It treats discoloration and dark spots without irritating the skin

• Hyaluronic Acid: A form of humectant, hyaluronic acid helps to attract moisture to the skin, and trap it in there. It helps with anti-aging, and keeping the skin plump-looking

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• Mandelic Acid: Super gentle on the skin, it is ideal for skin-brightening, treating hyperpigmentation, and correcting dark spots

• Ascorbic Acid: A fancier name for vitamin C, ascorbic acid is an antioxidant A-lister. It reduces signs of aging, as well as brightens the skin

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While all of these acids have their own strengths, pairing them the right way can help you reap all their goodness and even more! 

How to Incorporate Acids in Your Skincare Routine

Acids can be included into your skincare routine gradually in the form of a cleanser, serum or a treatment product like ampoule. If used properly, acids can be combined together with different products to reap maximum benefits and tackle skin concerns like open pores, dullness, wrinkles and pigmentation. 

Few tips to incorporate acids in your daily skincare routine

• Use acids post cleansing your face. This way acids can work effectively on bare skin and do their magic
• Follow it up with an essence to add hydration and lock in all goodness
• Layer your AHAs followed by BHAs
• Do a patch test 24-48 hrs prior if you have sensitive skin
• Do not over-exfoliate your skin using multiple acid-based skincare products
• Apply a sunscreen every 2-3 hours 

Read more about acids that can be combined

1. AHAs and BHAs: The front-runners of the acid world, both these acids are amazing exfoliators, and offer unbeatable skin benefits. AHAs – alpha hydroxy acids, are water-soluble acids that work on the top layer of the skin, to allow new skin cells to form. Glycolic acid, a form of AHA, is found in the Mama Cica Instabright Peel Pads, and is a boon for those who have dry, dull, or aging skin. Simply swipe these pre-soaked peeling pads on your face, for a face that has an undeniable glow! On the other hand, BHAs, beta hydroxy acids, are oil-soluble, meaning they can go deeper into the layers of your skin. This is helpful for people who have skin conditions like acne. Salicylic acid in the Chialeader Zit Fix Serum, is a potent BHA that can rescue your troubled skin. To reap eye-opening benefits from both these beauties, use AHAs in the morning and BHAs in the evening. Using both at once can irritate the skin and damage the skin’s barrier. 

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1. Hyaluronic Acid With AHAs and BHAs: A definite yes! Hyaluronic acid plays a big role in hydrating and retaining moisture in the skin. It’s a non-exfoliating acid that really helps to reduce the risk of irritation while using AHAs or BHAs. The Mama Cica Dark Spot Correcting Ampoule has a good amount of this skin-soothing hyaluronic acid, which acts as a peace-maker between your skin and the exfoliating acids. Not only that, it also slows down the aging process, plumps up your skin, and gives it a good sheen. Who would not want that? 

2. Retinoic Acid With Hyaluronic Acid: The queen-bee of the acid world, no skin problem comes in the way of retinoic acid (a form of retinol). You might have heard this name drop in a ton of skincare concerns. Be it aging, hyperpigmentation, acne scars, dull skin, or stubborn acne, retinoic acid or its vegan alternate bakuchiol can handle it all. The Bravocado Intense Brightening Serum contains bakuchiol and a lot of other skin-benefiting actives, that smoothen fine lines, enhance skin firmness, and protect it from radical damage. So, basically, it mimics all the good stuff that retinoic acid does, but in a much gentler way, which makes it suitable even for sensitive skin. Pairing it with skin-plumping hyaluronic acid is a great way to improve the skin’s health. It also helps calm the irritation and dryness caused due to retinoic acid.  

Few skincare ingredients you can use together to reap maximum benefits!

Where there are do’s there are also don’ts. 

Acids That You Should Not Combine 

1. Retinoic Acid With Hydroxy Acids: Both these alpha acids being quite powerful, it’s advisable to not combine them. Since both are exfoliating acids, combining them will seriously irritate the skin, cause inflammation or even chemical burn. Although, the safest way to do so, is by using a hydroxy-based cleanser, like the Chialeader Shine Control Gel Face Wash and then using retinoic acid. This is only recommended for people who have very oily or acne-prone skin. The face wash helps the retinoic acid to work efficiently for people who are following an anti-acne routine. 

2. Ascorbic Acid With Hydroxy Acids: In this case, two positives make a negative. Why? Because ascorbic acid is highly unstable in nature. It will directly cancel out the benefits of any product that is applied with it. So applying these highly potent hydroxy acids with ascorbic acid will have no effect whatsoever, and might even irritate the skin. What you need to do is, keep the ascorbic acid aka vitamin C for daytime, and use the exfoliating acids at night. This way, no one comes in the way of another. 

Things To Keep In Mind While Using Acids in Your Daily Skincare Routine

• Always use sunscreen in the morning. Exfoliating acids, like AHAs, BHAs and retinoic acid makes your skin sensitive to UV rays, so sunscreen acts as a much-needed shield for the skin. 
• Always start with a lower concentration for exfoliating acids. Once your skin tolerates them, you can gradually use higher concentrations. 
• If you’re new to acids, then avoid using them every day. Start with once a week, and gradually go upto 3-4 times a week. 
• People with very sensitive skin should use PHAs (poly hydroxy acids). They are the milder version of AHAs, that exhibit the same benefits. The Bravocado Pollution Rescue Cream Face Wash contains PHA, that is ideal deep cleansing as well as hydrating the skin.  

Understand what your skin requires, and feed it exactly that. You don’t have to overdo acids to see visible results. Just pick the right acids, and layer them well, and you’ll see your skin transform in a matter of weeks!