How does a BHA Exfoliant work?

Struggling with breakouts, blackheads or acne? It’s time to introduce BHAs, a liquid chemical exfoliator most commonly known as salicylic acid, into your skincare routine.

BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid) is an oil-loving acid which will naturally ‘stimulate’ the skin, forcing it to act! It is best for acne-prone skin and those with deeper skin conditions since BHA penetrates further into the skin. They can bypass the oil that clogs pores and dissolve the mix of sebum and dead skin that leads to acne as well as stabilise the lining of the pore (which contributes to acne). BHAs clear up blackheads, whiteheads (milia) and have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. This umbrella term includes the popular anti-acne ingredient of Salicylic Acid. BHAs also exfoliate the top layer but are best used for their deep penetrative qualities.

How do BHAs work?

A leave-on BHA exfoliant works on the upper layers of the skin, encouraging dead skin cells to shed to reveal the healthier and more radiant layers underneath. It’s also able to penetrate the skin’s natural oil allowing it to exfoliate and ‘unclog’ pores (break down the ‘glue’ that holds skin cells together and hence ‘blocks’ pores) and help reduce them in size. Like AHAs, BHAs have hydrating properties, they help minimise the visible appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, help improve firmness, skin tone and texture, BHAs are particularly relevant for a more blemish and oil-prone skin, a congested and acne-prone skin and will even help to address whiteheads, known as milia and keratosis pilaris.

Try BHAs in your routine

Our Salicylic Acid-rich Concentrate is a fast-action, fast-absorbing leave-on chemical exfoliant. It gently removes dead skin cells, reduces blemishes, targets enlarged pores, and improves hydration to reveal a softer, more youthful-looking and brighter skin, as a result, without causing redness or inflammation.