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Common AHA Molecules in Skin Care Aging

Alpha Hydroxy Acids(AHA) are naturally occurring acids, derived from sugars in particular plants. AHAs help to fight against aging skin and are becoming popular in most of the beauty and skin care products. AHAs helps to rejuvenate the skin by encouraging the shedding of old, sun damaged surface skin cells. Therefore, they help us to keep our skin looking young for a longer time.

Common AHA molecules that are beneficial in skin care aging:

Glycolic acid- Glycolic acid is the most skin active AHA. This is one of the most active and beneficial of the Alpha Hydroxy Acids in skin care. It is made from sugar cane. Glycolic acid has a very low molecular size due to which it is able to penetrate through the cell walls of the skin. Once it enters the cell, it will activate new formation of collagen and turn on the synthesis of dermal glycosaminoglycans to plump up the cell and the ground substances in the skin to decrease wrinkles on the skins surface. <>p This acid helps to keep the skin moisturized by keeping water bound to the skin and prevent drying of skin. It can also bleach some spots on the skin. One additional advantage of glycolic acid is that it helps other skin care ingredients reach deeper in the skin and makes them more effective. Additionally, it helps to get rid of blackheads; and like retinol, it helps to restore the barrier function of the skin, thereby helping naturally to increase its own moisture content. This acid also has an anti-inflammatory effect and is able to improve the effects of other topical agents, such as hydroquinone and salicylic acid.

Lactic acid - This acid is also known as milk acid as it is extracted from milk. Milk baths have been beneficial since ages to get fresh skin and better skin care, which is due to the lactic acid present in milk. Lactic acid is natural moisturizer as it helps maintain water in the skin. It is also a good exfoliater of dead skin cells. In general, it is combined with other AHAs to create effective skin care products.

Citric acid - It is also an Alpha Hydroxy Acid. Citric acid is obtained from citrus fruits. It hastens collagen production and thus makes your skin blemish free. It is considered a good anti oxidant as it counteracts free radicals that age the skin. It has been used for skin care since ages in household remedies.

Malic Acid and Tartaric acids - These are other popular Alpha Hydroxy Acids. They are not commonly used individually for skin care treatments but are added to make a combination of AHA skin care products to obtain multiple benefits.

The main benefits of alpha hydroxy acids come from its capability to exfoliate skin. Elimination of the outermost layer of the skin stimulates the cells in lower layers to grow and divide, causing the skin to thicken and thus diminishing visible signs of aging. As you keep on exfoliating, more cell divisions will occur in the lower skin layers.