When it comes to solidifying your skincare routine, incorporating active ingredients such as acids is a must. Sure, the term ‘acids’ sound a little daunting, but we promise these face-saving ingredients are a must for your routine. The acids found in your skincare line up are designed to ensure your skin is left looking and feeling it’s best.
But how do you decide which acid will work the best for your skin? Without a skincare guide on hand, it can be difficult to traverse the skincare aisles. Our top tip? Start by assessing your skin concerns. Then, do your research. And if you happen to be dealing with blemish-prone, adult skin, we’ve gone and done it for you.
Which Acid Is Right For You?
Azelaic Acid
Azelaic acid is a true shining star in the skincare ingredient world. The trending ingredient has seen a recent escalation in popularity, with many across social media showcasing its benefits.
If you’re new to azelaic acid, you’ll soon see why it’s a must-have once you’ve experienced all it has to offer. Not only does it help to neutralise free radicals, through gentle exfoliation, it will work to reduce the appearance of blemishes and address any uneven skin tone concerns.
Hyaluronic Acid
This powerful humectant is genuinely quite hard to avoid in the skincare world, and for that, we’re eternally grateful. But what really is hyaluronic acid? Well, this active ingredient works by binding to your skin, attracting and retaining water — up to 1000 times its own weight — to boost your hydration levels.
How do you benefit from increasing your skin’s moisture level? Well, not only will you see a stronger skin moisture barrier, but you’ll also notice a difference in how plump and firm your skin can appear.
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA for short), which acts as an exfoliant, gently buffing away dead skin and build-up. The gentle yet powerful acid is able to encourage skin cell turnover while helping to unclog pores. It can even help with blemishes past and present.
But how is it going to help you with your blemishes? Well, the powerful acid is able to help balance your oil levels (also known as sebum control) associated with your current breakouts and even working to fade the appearance of post-blemish marks.
Can you apply multiple acids at once?
Absolutely you can apply multiple acids at one time. But the most important thing to remember is that not every acid will play nicely together. Our two top tips are to either oscillate between your actives in a skin-cycling routine or find a singular product that’s going to answer all your skin concerns.
And while finding a singular product to address all your problems is a massive ask, La Roche-Posay, the French answer to just about all skin solutions, may have just done it.
If you’re dealing with blemish-prone adult skin, along with the inevitable signs of ageing, then this latest launch will be your skin-saving hero. The La Roche-Posay Effaclar A.Z. Gel Cream ($65.95 at La Roche-Posay) is a seriously lightweight (read: fast-absorbing) moisturiser designed to hydrate and exfoliate simultaneously.
The tri-acid formula incorporates trending azelaic acid, hydrating hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid to work to address your blemish-prone skin concerns. You’ll likely be seeing a noticeable difference in blemishes, post-blemish marks, and even those fine lines, all from applying this one sensitive skin-friendly cream.
La Roche-Posay has been dedicated to developing products for dry, irritated and sensitive skin since 1975, with minimal ingredients and maximum tolerance always at the core of its formulas.
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