How AHA exfoliator serums work and why you should be using one

Feel like your skin is looking a little lacklustre lately? Meet your new beauty bestie: The AHA exfoliant serum. 

If you’ve got sensitive skin that doesn’t tolerate physical exfoliants, you’ll definitely want to hear about this one. Instead of using coarse beads or grains to aggressively scrub away dull, old layers of skin, these clever products harness the power of AHAs to instead boost the skin’s natural regenerative process.

Curious? Read on. 

In this article, we’ll be learning about all things AHAs, what AHAs can do for your skin (and why we think they’re superior to physical exfoliants) plus we’ll share our fave AHA serum recommendation.

Let’s get into it!

What are AHA serums?

AHA stands for alpha hydroxy acid. AHAs are naturally occuring acids derived from ingredients such as fruit and sugarcane. Some of the most common AHAs found in skincare include lactic acid (which comes from dairy and fermented vegetables), glycolic acid (which comes from sugarcane) and citric acid (which comes from citrus fruits).

How do AHA serums benefit the skin?

AHA serums are incredible for exfoliating the skin without the need for hectic scrubbing. According to studies, in helping to sweep away dead, surface cells and renew the skin, AHAs work to: 

• Deeply cleanse and detox the complexion
• Improve skin texture
• Reduce congestion including acne lesions, blackheads and breakouts
• Combat signs of ageing including fine lines and wrinkles
• Smooth away scars
• Help treat melasma and other types of pigmentation conditions

Why choose a chemical exfoliant over a physical exfoliant?

As we’ve touched on above, AHAs work to exfoliate the skin and reduce rough, dry or flaky parts without the aid of a physical scrubbing action. Unlike mechanical exfoliants - which are usually created with beads or ground up ingredients like seeds to physically remove dead skin - AHA serums work by loosening the bonds that hold old cells to the complexion. This enables the skin to more effectively renew itself… kinda like powering up its natural regenerative process.

This means AHA serums are excellent for those with sensitive skin who can’t usually tolerate harsh physical facial scrubs. With that in mind, they’re also brilliant for just about anyone as they ensure that your skin won’t be damaged by microtears during the exfoliation process (a common risk when using abrasive mechanical scrubs).

Which is the best AHA serum to try?

BOOST LAB AHA Glow Resurfacing Serum is hands down one of the best AHA serums for exfoliating and moisturising the skin. It’s formulated with a Lactic Acid-Arginine Complex to exfoliate and regenerate the skin along with Manuka Honey which is known for its soothing and antibacterial properties. To top it all off, BOOST LAB AHA Glow Resurfacing Serum is also supercharged with Aloe Vera to calm and deeply hydrate the skin.