ALL ABOUT
SKIN CARE ACIDS
ALL ABOUT
SKIN CARE ACIDS
ALL ABOUT
SKIN CARE ACIDS
Inspired by Korean Beauty facials, most of our products balance natural fruit extracts and soothing, hydrating ingredients with exfoliating acids to give you bouncy, glowing skin.
Acids in skin care help keep skin radiant, clear, and even, but there are different types that do different things. To help you make sense of acids, we’re breaking them down so you can decide which is best for you and your skin.
Acids in skin care help keep skin radiant, clear, and even, but there are different types that do different things.
To help you make sense of acids, we're breaking them down so you can decide which is best for you and your skin.
CHOOSE YOUR ACID:
AHA
BHA
PHA
Alpha-Hydroxy Acids
EVERYTHING TO KNOW ABOUT AHA
AHA (Alpha-Hydroxy Acids) help to smooth fine lines, soften texture, diminish dark spots, and clarify pores. They also tell your skin cells to turnover in order to remove old, dead skin and reveal a fresh surface. The topmost layer of the skin then drastically improves its appearance, helping you achieve that revered glow.
There are four main types of acids that comprise the AHA family: glycolic, lactic, malic, and mandelic. While they all essentially do the same thing, it’s how they’re made up and their interaction with the skin that differentiates them.
Benefit
AHAs work at the surface to dissolve the outer layer of dead skin cells, resurfacing and improving skin texture.
These acids are suitable for just about every skin type.
As seen on your ingredient list:
Glycolic Acid
•Great anti-aging ingredient as it boosts collagen and elastin production
•Fast absorption can make it more likely to irritate or inflame sensitive skin
•Pulls moisture from the air into the skin, keeping it hydrated for longer
Lactic Acid
• Great for sensitive skin because it has a larger molecular structure than Glycolic
•Has hydrating properties that help maintain skin's moisture levels
•Shown to kill bad germs and bacteria and reduce hyperpigmentation
Malic Acid
•Great for normal to dry skin, and skin prone to breakouts
•Isn’t as potent as other AHAs, so it’s often combined with Lactic Acid
Mandelic Acid
• Great for normal to oily skin, and skin prone to breakouts
•Protects the skin from free radicals and strengthens collagen
•Often used as an anti-aging ingredient
How we use AHA
In the Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask, we use a specialized mix of Glycolic and Lactic Acids and combine it with ultra-hydrating and soothing watermelon. This balanced formula ensures a thorough exfoliation that won't strip skin of its natural oils and moisture. It's this hybrid, perfected by some of the best labs and chemists in Korea, that makes it a one-of-a-kind skin-care treatment.
You can find exfoliating acids in nature, too! Our Watermelon Glow Ultra-Fine Mist uses Hibiscus AHAs to nourish and provide gentle exfoliation.
Beta-Hydroxy Acid
EVERYTHING TO KNOW ABOUT BHA
BHA (Beta-Hydroxy Acid) is one of the most effective ingredients against clogged pores and breakouts. They’re similar to AHAs in that they are used for chemical exfoliation of the skin, but BHA works deeper in the pores as opposed to just on the surface.
Unlike AHAs, BHAs are oil soluble, which allows them to penetrate into the hair follicles and oil glands to clear out sebum, dead skin build-up, and debris, and makes them commonly used by people with oily or acne-prone skin.
Benefit
BHAs are oil-soluble, meaning they work deep in pores to unblock them, which helps to prevent acne and congestion.
These acids are great for all skin types, but especially beneficial for oily and blemish-prone skin.
As seen on your ingredient list:
Salicylic Acid
•Especially beneficial for congested and acne-prone skin
• Effective at treating and preventing breakouts from clogged pores
Willow Bark Extract
•Willow bark is a natural source of salicylates
•Ideal for reducing inflammation and redness
•A natural alternative to salicylic acid with similar effects
Betaine Salicylate
•Gentle exfoliant often used as an alternative to salicylic acid and often derived from vegetables such as sugar beets and sugarcane.
how we use BHA
In Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner, we use gentle, naturally-derived forms of BHA like Willow Bark and Betaine Salicylate to help unclog pore buildup and minimize the appearance of pores. Supplemented with holy grail hydrators like watermelon, cactus water, and hyaluronic acid, skin is left bouncy, supple, and pores are left hydrated and clear.
Shop our products with bha
polyHydroxy Acid
EVERYTHING TO KNOW ABOUT PHA
PHA (Polyhydroxy Acid) is a kinder, gentler acid that doesn't typically cause dry or sensitive skin to have a reaction. It provides the same great results with minimal irritation, antioxidant benefits, and can even hydrate the skin.
Because PHA feature a significantly larger molecule size than AHA, they sink into the skin more gradually. This gives your skin more time to adjust and react, making PHA ideal for all skin types, even sensitive skin. It’s also very much in line with the K-Beauty approach to gentle, but still effective actives.
Benefit
PHAs are next-generation AHAs with a larger molecule size, meaning they’re just as effective but sink in more slowly over time.
These acids are pretty universal, but they’re especially great for sensitive skin.
As seen on your ingredient list:
Gluconolactone
•Attracts water, making it great for drier skin types
•Forms a barrier to protect skin and keep in moisture
•Functions as antioxidant
Lactobionic Acid
•Mildly exfoliates without causing irritation
•Boosts cell turnover and gently resurfaces skin’s outermost layer
• Strong humectant that attracts and retains water
how we use pha
We love PHA as an effective, exfoliating acid that's great for sensitive skin because it encourages cell turnover without irritation. We chose to include this acid in the Avocado Melt Retinol Sleeping Mask because it pairs perfectly with retinol to rejuvenate and plump the skin from the inside out. The PHA in the Watermelon Glow PHA+BHA Pore-Tight Toner also smooths the skin with minimal irritation while even hydrating the skin.
THE DO’S AND DON’TS OF ACIDS
If you have sensitive skin, use acids in your routine on alternating days. Gradually increase the frequency of use as your skin adjusts.
Don’t use acids on broken or damaged skin, as this can potentially cause irritation.
Always wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30 during the day, as exfoliating acids can make your skin more susceptible to sun damage.
COMBINE WITH CAUTION
Benzoyl Peroxide and
Salicylic Acid
When used at the same time, these may cause irritation on sensitive skin. If you’re seeing or feeling any irritation, try alternating applications. Use acids in the daytime, and apply your acne treatments overnight.
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