Not only are AHA’s a viral sensation (thanks to SkinTok and Instagram), but they are also an effective tool to help resurface your skin safely and quickly. The hashtag #glycolicacid has amassed more than 46 million views on TikTok alone, which tells you how well AHA products like this are doing on the market in 2024. It seems as though the skincare world has been taken by storm in a big way and that AHA products are here to stay for the foreseeable future. So, which ones should you try out and add to your daily skincare routine? Read on to find out.
What Are AHAs and What Do They Do, Exactly?
Alpha Hydroxy Acids are a naturally occurring group of acids that you find in certain foods. These hard-working acids do their job by removing any old, dead skin cells that have not been lifted from the skin and by breaking down the “glue” that holds these skin cells to your living skin. This leads your skin to have a better rate of cell turnover and grow fresh cells for a dewy, glowing complexion. Exfoliation, improved skin texture, minimised signs of ageing, reduced hyperpigmentation, less sun damage, and reduced acne are all positive effects that AHAs can bring to your skin. There are a few different kinds of AHA to look out for:
- lactic acid
- glycolic acid
- malic acid
- citric acid
- tartaric acid
The Best AHA Products in The UK
UK consumers are serious about their skincare, and these are the AHA products that they love the most.
One of the most important things in any resurfacing treatment is that other ingredients are present, which makes it a comforting product. Skincare products like this are few and far between, but Fresh has managed to create an all-in-one that does everything it promises to do.
This night serum aims to resurface your skin with a blend of AHAs and prickly pear extract. Not only that, but it also gets into your skin overnight and reduces the appearance of dark spots and fine lines. You’ll see a smoother and clearer complexion as well as increased radiance that will give you a glow you’ve never had before. The Super Lotus in the serum is what really comforts your skin and boosts nighttime renewal for excellent cell turnover and youthful-looking skin.
AHAs also come in toner form, like this Ole Henriksen product which offers better complexion clarity, better skin tone, and improved texture after as little as seven days of continuous. This toner also targets fine lines and wrinkles and gives a pleasant tingle when added to your skincare routine every evening.
The witch hazel, chamomile, sandalwood, and liquorice extracts that are present in the formula ensure that your skin gets support while being resurfaced and make the toner an excellent choice for daily use. The lovely lemon scent is an added bonus!
A daily moisturiser, like this rich, mattifying one from Medik8, is an excellent place to get your dose of AHAs. While the AHAs in the formula work hard to smooth away any rough or uneven skin texture, the cream also boosts your skin’s hydration and leaves your face flawless and ready for your makeup.
If you’re looking for decreased shine, this is definitely the right moisturiser for you to try. It’s rich, but still lightweight enough that it will not clog pores or undo the work the AHAs do. It’s a very good choice for complexions that are naturally prone to blemishes and enlarged pores. The glycolic acid activator that comes with the cream does the heavy lifting and really brightens up your skin tone too.
Glow Recipe makes products that work but are also beautiful to look at! This cleanser comes in such lovely packaging that you won’t hate having it on your bathroom shelf. If you’re a person who only likes to cleanse once to get rid of makeup, daily oil, and grime, this is a great choice. Not only does this blueberry cleanser do both of those things but it also works as a deeply clarifying mask that hydrates your skin as it works.
Over time, with continuous use, this wash will help you deal with persistent blemishes and breakouts. Its formula includes blueberry extract for a dose of antioxidants and anti-ageing assistance, hyaluronic acid for extra hydration, AHAs for removing pesky dead skin, and microfoam that gives you a completely clean face. Incidentally, this product won the Best Cleanser award at the Byrdie Skincare Awards 2019.
This product can lay claim to the title of “best at home peel” and has had it for more than 20 years now! These peel pads are good for everyday use and are best if you have combination or oily skin.
The first step in the process uses both AHAs and BHAs to exfoliate with immediate effect. You’ll see refined pores, minimised fine lines and wrinkles, and cleared-up blemishes. The second step neutralises the acids so that they don’t keep working after they should and delivers a dose of anti-ageing actives for a radiant complexion.
Smooth Skin Awaits
These UK skincare favourites are proven to smooth away uneven texture and leave you fresh and glowing like never before. Be sure to test exfoliating products on a small area of your skin before using something new all over your face.