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 salicylic acid? A closer look at a beta hydroxy acid | Skin Health Beauty

What is salicylic acid? A closer look at a beta hydroxy acid | Skin Health Beauty

Photo of willow parts from Wikipedia

What is salicylic acid? A closer look at a beta hydroxy acid 

What Is Salicylic Acid?
Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid and comes from plants such as the willow, the plant from which it takes its name in Latin. In plants, salicylic acid helps growth and the fight against germs. Because it comes from plants, it can be considered a “natural” product.

Via What is salicylic acid? A closer look at a beta hydroxy acid | Skin Health Beauty