What are Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs)?

BHA stands for ‘Beta Hydroxy Acid’, which is one of the most common ingredients in skincare products, especially for those prone to oily or acne prone skin. BHA (e.g., salicylic acid and beta hydroxybutyrate) are used because they’re less irritating than Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs).

The most common BHAs is salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is oil-soluble which makes it perfect for greasy and blemished skin. Salicylic acid helps by unclogging pores and controlling oil production while also gently exfoliating. Because it’s oil friendly it penetrates skin to decongest and unclog pores, reducing oil and sebum accumulation. By scouring pores, salicylic acid can help to minimize their size while keeping them free of debris.

As an exfoliant, salicylic acid softens keratinized (hardened) cells on the surface of your skin, making them easier for you to remove when you wash your face at night. It loosens these hard layers so they can be shed naturally without causing irritation or inflammation; think of it like peeling away dry skin gracefully. BHAs are also helpful in alleviating milia, small flesh-colored bumps, keratosis pillars, and closed comedones or comedonal acne.

BHAs are also beneficial in resurfacing the skin while also helping to hydrate the skin. Overall, BHAs help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improves skin firmness and its overall texture. Because they’re generally well tolerated, BHAs are suitable for normal, oily, and even sensitive skin.

Reviva’s Light Skin Peel exfoliant includes 1% salicylic acid along with papain (papaya extract) and incorporates kaolin and zinc oxide making it a gentle BHA exfoliant suitable for use 2-3x per week. Our Light Skin Peel will help improve blemished skin and deliver radiance to normal skin while helping to increase skin’s natural cell turnover rate.