The step that creates real change in skincare is often not cleansing or moisturizing, but proper exfoliation, in other words a peel. In daily life, dead cells build up on the skin's surface because of environmental factors, sebum production and a slowing cell renewal cycle. This can lead to problems such as dullness, rough texture, blackheads and uneven skin tone. This is exactly where chemical peeling products containing AHA and BHA stand out as a powerful care step that supports the skin's renewal process.
In this article, we will look in detail at the answers to questions such as what is an AHA peel, what are the scientific effects of AHA peeling products on the skin and how can smoother skin be achieved with an AHA peeling serum. We will also cover post-peel care, frequency of use and why sun protection is so important.
What Are AHA and BHA? What Are the Differences Between Them?
AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) and BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid), two active ingredients often heard about in skincare, are groups of acids that provide chemical exfoliation. Thanks to these acids, peeling products containing AHA remove dead cells in the top layer of the skin in a controlled way and help create a healthier-looking complexion.
First, let's answer the question of what an AHA peel is.
AHAs are generally known as fruit acids and support the cell renewal process by dissolving dead cells that build up on the skin's surface. Ingredients such as Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid and Tartaric Acid belong to this group. For this reason, peeling formulas containing AHA are an effective care step, especially for people who experience dullness and uneven tone on the skin's surface.
BHA, on the other hand, is an oil-soluble acid. The best-known type of BHA is Salicylic Acid. Thanks to this property, BHA can penetrate into pores and clear out sebum and dead cell buildup. Therefore, when AHA and BHA are used together in AHA peeling serum formulas, both surface-level and in-pore exfoliation can be achieved.When AHA and BHA are used together in peeling products containing AHA, they can create a purifying effect both in the upper layer of the skin and at pore level.
Why Is a Chemical Peel So Important in Skincare?
Our skin naturally has a renewal cycle of about 28 days. Age, environmental factors and skin type can slow this cycle, which leads to dead cell buildup in the epidermis. This is where an AHA peel, in other words a chemical peel, loosens the bonds between these accumulated dead cells, allowing them to shed and smoothing the surface of the skin.
Formulas for AHA peeling serums combining AHA and BHA:
Help remove dead cells
Clear the pores
Reduce the appearance of blackheads
Help even out skin tone
The AHA concentrate usually consists of fruit acids such as glycolic, lactic, citric, malic and tartaric acid. These ingredients provide gentle yet effective exfoliation on the skin's surface and speed up the renewal process.
With regular use, peeling products containing AHA help the skin look more vibrant, smooth and radiant.
How Should You Care for Your Skin After a Peel?
A chemical peel is a process in which acids such as AHA and BHA loosen the structures that bind dead skin cells together in the epidermis, allowing the dead cells to shed. After this procedure, the skin barrier is temporarily weakened, which can lead to moisture loss and sensitivity to external factors.
That is why, after using an AHA peeling serum, it is important to choose ingredients that support barrier function and increase moisture-holding capacity. For example, hyaluronic acid forms a three-dimensional moisture network in the skin and increases water retention in the epidermis and dermis; as a result, the skin looks plumper, more elastic and calmer.
The basic steps recommended for post-peel care are:
Intensive moisturizing to support the epidermis
Barrier-strengthening ingredients in your routine
Broad-spectrum sunscreen to prevent UV-induced damage
This way, after peeling products containing AHA are applied, the skin both calms down and its moisture balance is maintained, maximizing the benefits of the peel.
How Should Peeling Frequency Be Adjusted According to Skin Type?
One of the most important aspects of peeling is the right frequency of use. Every skin type has a different tolerance, so frequency of use is just as important as understanding what an AHA peel is.
In general, it is recommended to apply AHA peeling serum formulas a few times a week. Especially for peeling serums containing AHA and BHA, a certain amount of time needs to be left between applications.
For peeling serums combining AHA and BHA, it is generally recommended to leave at least 3 days between applications and use them about 2 times a week.
This way, peeling products containing AHA can provide effective exfoliation without making the skin overly sensitive.
Sun Protection and AHA-BHA Compatibility
Chemical exfoliation occurs when acids such as AHA and BHA loosen the bonds between keratinocytes on the skin's surface. While this process speeds up the removal of dead cells and the renewal of the epidermis, it also temporarily makes the skin more sensitive to UV rays.
Therefore, when using peeling products containing AHA and BHA:
Broad-spectrum SPF must be applied during the day.
The skin should not be exposed to direct sunlight.
In addition to the peeling routine, the frequency of sunscreen use should be increased.
Studies show that the skin barrier is temporarily weakened after chemical exfoliation and that the risk of photodamage therefore increases. This makes applying sunscreen after using an AHA peeling serum essential.
Achieve a Soft and Radiant Skin Feel with TPS AHA & BHA Peeling
If you are looking for strong but controlled exfoliation in your skincare routine, AHA peeling serum formulas can be an effective option.
Peeling formulas containing AHA and BHA can help the skin by:
Evening out uneven skin tone
Removing dead cells
Reducing the appearance of blackheads
Making the skin look brighter
Peeling formulas containing an AHA concentrate and also salicylic acid (BHA) gently exfoliate the skin and support the renewal process. In addition, the glycolic acid in the formula can encourage cell renewal and help the skin look smoother and softer.
Therefore, a well-formulated AHA peeling serum, when used regularly in a skincare routine, can help achieve brighter, smoother and healthier-looking skin.
