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Living with sensitive skin can often feel like playing a game of Minesweeper in real time—you never know which seemingly innocuous skincare ingredient might trigger a reaction. But with research in the beauty industry advancing by leaps and bounds every day, the good news is that you needn’t relegate your skincare routine to the bare basics.
A host of skincare acids are here to service your sensitive skin’s need for exfoliation, nourishment and hydration—all without leaving behind any irritation, flakiness or itching in their wake. Sounds like something you’d want to get in on? Here’s a closer look at all the gentle acids to bookmark for your next shopping sesh.
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You have your skin-renewing AHAs, you have your pore-flushing BHAs. So, when did their sister PHAs (polyhydroxy acids) enter the chat? As it turns out, PHAs were introduced as the second generation of alpha-hydroxy acids back in the 1970s. Their one distinguishing feature from their predecessors? PHAs have larger molecules that make them less penetrating and, in turn, gentler on sensitive skin.
Common PHAs you may encounter on skincare labels include gluconolactone, lactobionic and gluconic acids, among others. When shopping for exfoliants, serums and moisturisers, those with sensitive skin will want to keep an eye out for these milder acids.
Beyond PHAs, you’ll also find a host of other skincare acids waiting to steer sensitive skin away from redness and irritation. And mandelic acid leads the pack with its gentle touch. Despite hailing from the AHA family, its larger molecular size means that it penetrates the skin at a slower pace and is known to be less irritating for sensitive skin.
The advent of AHAs doesn’t end there. If you find yourself hooked to the skin-renewing properties that glycolic acid is known to offer, you can take heart in the fact that a lower concentration of this AHA is known to jive well with sensitive skin. It flushes away dead skin cells and other buildup.
Hot on the heels of glycolic acid is its milky counterpart, lactic acid. Often touted as one of the gentlest acids to emerge from the AHA stable, lactic acid promises to dislodge dark spots, sweep away dead skin cells and smoothen the appearance of premature signs of ageing, such as fine lines and wrinkles.
In the quest for gentle skincare acids, hyaluronic acid makes for a universally loved favourite—and it isn’t hard to see why. Dealing with dry skin? It serves as a magnet for moisture and seals it within the skin. Looking for acids that won’t trigger your skin’s sensitivity? When used in low concentrations once or twice a week, this humectant hopes to accelerate the skin’s healing properties and soothe any rough patches or dryness. Sounds like a win-win.
Sensitive skin needs exfoliation as well—and this is where azelaic acid is happy to lend a helping hand. Generally well-tolerated by sensitive skin, it’s known to promote skin cell turnover and vacuum out the gunk collected in pores. However, those looking to prevent any adverse reactions will want to work their way up by introducing a dime-sized amount in their skincare routine and gradually increasing its frequency in their skincare routine.
You have your skin-renewing AHAs, you have your pore-flushing BHAs. So, when did their sister PHAs (polyhydroxy acids) enter the chat? As it turns out, PHAs were introduced as the second generation of alpha-hydroxy acids back in the 1970s. Their one distinguishing feature from their predecessors? PHAs have larger molecules that make them less penetrating and, in turn, gentler on sensitive skin.
Common PHAs you may encounter on skincare labels include gluconolactone, lactobionic and gluconic acids, among others. When shopping for exfoliants, serums and moisturisers, those with sensitive skin will want to keep an eye out for these milder acids.
Beyond PHAs, you’ll also find a host of other skincare acids waiting to steer sensitive skin away from redness and irritation. And mandelic acid leads the pack with its gentle touch. Despite hailing from the AHA family, its larger molecular size means that it penetrates the skin at a slower pace and is known to be less irritating for sensitive skin.
The advent of AHAs doesn’t end there. If you find yourself hooked to the skin-renewing properties that glycolic acid is known to offer, you can take heart in the fact that a lower concentration of this AHA is known to jive well with sensitive skin. It flushes away dead skin cells and other buildup.
Hot on the heels of glycolic acid is its milky counterpart, lactic acid. Often touted as one of the gentlest acids to emerge from the AHA stable, lactic acid promises to dislodge dark spots, sweep away dead skin cells and smoothen the appearance of premature signs of ageing, such as fine lines and wrinkles.
In the quest for gentle skincare acids, hyaluronic acid makes for a universally loved favourite—and it isn’t hard to see why. Dealing with dry skin? It serves as a magnet for moisture and seals it within the skin. Looking for acids that won’t trigger your skin’s sensitivity? When used in low concentrations once or twice a week, this humectant hopes to accelerate the skin’s healing properties and soothe any rough patches or dryness. Sounds like a win-win.
Sensitive skin needs exfoliation as well—and this is where azelaic acid is happy to lend a helping hand. Generally well-tolerated by sensitive skin, it’s known to promote skin cell turnover and vacuum out the gunk collected in pores. However, those looking to prevent any adverse reactions will want to work their way up by introducing a dime-sized amount in their skincare routine and gradually increasing its frequency in their skincare routine.
You have your skin-renewing AHAs, you have your pore-flushing BHAs. So, when did their sister PHAs (polyhydroxy acids) enter the chat? As it turns out, PHAs were introduced as the second generation of alpha-hydroxy acids back in the 1970s. Their one distinguishing feature from their predecessors? PHAs have larger molecules that make them less penetrating and, in turn, gentler on sensitive skin.
Common PHAs you may encounter on skincare labels include gluconolactone, lactobionic and gluconic acids, among others. When shopping for exfoliants, serums and moisturisers, those with sensitive skin will want to keep an eye out for these milder acids.
Beyond PHAs, you’ll also find a host of other skincare acids waiting to steer sensitive skin away from redness and irritation. And mandelic acid leads the pack with its gentle touch. Despite hailing from the AHA family, its larger molecular size means that it penetrates the skin at a slower pace and is known to be less irritating for sensitive skin.
The advent of AHAs doesn’t end there. If you find yourself hooked to the skin-renewing properties that glycolic acid is known to offer, you can take heart in the fact that a lower concentration of this AHA is known to jive well with sensitive skin. It flushes away dead skin cells and other buildup.
Hot on the heels of glycolic acid is its milky counterpart, lactic acid. Often touted as one of the gentlest acids to emerge from the AHA stable, lactic acid promises to dislodge dark spots, sweep away dead skin cells and smoothen the appearance of premature signs of ageing, such as fine lines and wrinkles.
In the quest for gentle skincare acids, hyaluronic acid makes for a universally loved favourite—and it isn’t hard to see why. Dealing with dry skin? It serves as a magnet for moisture and seals it within the skin. Looking for acids that won’t trigger your skin’s sensitivity? When used in low concentrations once or twice a week, this humectant hopes to accelerate the skin’s healing properties and soothe any rough patches or dryness. Sounds like a win-win.
Sensitive skin needs exfoliation as well—and this is where azelaic acid is happy to lend a helping hand. Generally well-tolerated by sensitive skin, it’s known to promote skin cell turnover and vacuum out the gunk collected in pores. However, those looking to prevent any adverse reactions will want to work their way up by introducing a dime-sized amount in their skincare routine and gradually increasing its frequency in their skincare routine.
