Alpha-Hydroxy Acids

I get so frustrated by all the different claims cosmetic companies make on a daily basis. One day this skin care product works best and the next day there is a new and improved skin care beauty product on the market. Who should we believe? Which ingredients are best? It’s so difficult to know. But, the one thing we know for sure is that alpha-hydroxy acids in your cosmetic skin care products are medically proven to work.

Alpha-hydroxy acids, “are a group of structurally related organic acids found in natural sources or synthesized in the laboratory,” according to smartskin.com. There are a couple different ways this ingredient is applied. You can get alpha-hydroxy acid peels, which are usually done in a dermatologist’s office, or you can include it in your skin care beauty regime, by purchasing skin care products that contain it. One study showed that, “lotions containing 25 percent of glycolic, lactic or citrus acid against a placebo lotion lead to 25 percent increase in skin thickness, improved quality of elastic fibers and increased density of collagen.” Now, those are the kind of results I like to see.

Don’t be fooled, when buying skin care products with alpha-hydroxy in it, because many cosmetic companies overcharge for this ingredient. It’s not an expensive ingredient to make or find, so many of the skin care beauty products you can find at your local drugstore are just as good – if not better – than those fancy ones in the mall.

If you buy a cosmetic lotion containing alpha-hydroxy acid in it, make sure you choose one with more than an eight percent concentration, as anything less has not been shown to be effective. Skin care beauty is important to all of us, so keep the benefits of alpha-hydroxy acids in mind, the next time you purchase your skin care products.