Exfoliation and skin balance
AHA skincare: exfoliation and instructions that matter
Comparing acids without ranking percentages alone
Glycolic, lactic and mandelic acids belong to the AHA family used for superficial exfoliation. Their characteristics and formulation conditions differ. A higher percentage therefore does not establish a better personal choice: the finished product, its purpose and its intended application provide a more useful comparison than competing to select the highest available concentration.
Following precautions for an exfoliating product
Frequency and any rinsing requirement depend on the reference; do not accumulate extra steps to force faster results. The FDA notes that AHAs may increase sensitivity to sunlight during use and for some time afterwards. Observe the label and appropriate sun protection, and stop an application causing irritation instead of interpreting that reaction as progress.
Resources to explore further
The Ordinary
The Ordinary explains glycolic acid’s surface-exfoliating role and links to relevant products whose individual directions can then be examined separately.The Ordinary
The lactic acid entry outlines exfoliating and moisture-binding functions, providing a basis for distinguishing members of the broader AHA family.FDA — Alpha Hydroxy Acids
The FDA discusses AHA precautions and increased sun sensitivity, adding practical context to manufacturers’ descriptions of their exfoliating skincare formulas.