What is the difference between alpha and beta hydroxy acids? Which product to choose | Skin Health Beauty

Hydroxyl image from Wikipedia

What is the difference between alpha and beta hydroxy acids? Which product to choose

Alpha Hydroxy Acids & Beta Hydroxy Acids
As reported in What is salicylic acid?, salicylic acid is the beta hydroxy acid (BHA) used in many skin care products, and as shown in What is glycolic acid?, glycolic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) which is also used in numerous skin care products.

Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is the only beta hydroxy acid found in cosmetic products, so when we discuss BHAs, the term beta hydroxy acid is interchangeable with salicylic acid.

Glycolic Acid
While glycolic acid is is the smallest and best-known of the alpha-hydroxy acids, there are other AHAs which may be either naturally occurring or synthetic including lactic acid, citric acid, mandelic acid.

Full article at:  What is the difference between alpha and beta hydroxy acids? Which product to choose | Skin Health Beauty

What is glycolic acid? A closer look at an alpha-hydroxy acid | Skin Health Beauty

Glycolic acid image from Wikipedia

What is glycolic acid? A closer look at an alpha-hydroxy acid

What is Glycolic Acid?
Glycolic acid (or hydroxyacetic acid) is the smallest and best-known of the alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA) also known as fruit acids. It is derived from sugar-crops, primarily sugar cane, so it is considered a “natural” product. It has similar properties to citric acid, which is made from oranges and other citrus fruits.

More at What is glycolic acid? A closer look at an alpha-hydroxy acid | Skin Health Beauty