The Best Acids For Combination Skin

This week’s skincare Q&A was put to us by one of our lovely Instagram followers, who asked whether combination skin can use an AHA / BHA Toner.

It’s a great question because combination skin has different skin concerns on different parts of the face (often an oily T-Zone and dry cheeks).

Best Acids For Combination Skin

Let's run through the best acids for combination skin:

AHAs

AHAs address the skin’s surface only, making them a great choice to take care of wrinkles and flaky dry skin. It also makes them a good choice for combination skin. The key acids to look out for include:

Glycolic acid is a natural AHA and chemical exfoliant with proven results for different skin types, including combination skin. Glycolic acid also has a lot of research behind it.

Malic acid is another type of AHA that can work well for combination skin types. Often found in fruits, such as apples and pears, malic acid serves as a gentle exfoliant that also adds hydration back into the skin. Additionally, it can help with hyper pigmentation.

Lactic Acids are a less aggressive types of AHA than glyolic acid – they have bigger molecules so they penetrate the skin slower. Lactic acid works by breaking down and dissolving the structure of dead skin cells. Lactic acids stimulate the exfoliation of skin cells by interfering with the bond that hold the cells together, causing them to become loosened and fall away.

BHAs

BHAs work at the surface of the skin and within the pores to help “degunk” the skin. They get rid of excess dry skin cells and also leave skin hydrated. Among their other benefits, BHAs exfoliate skin, reduce redness, stimulate collagen production and provide a mild anti-bacterial function. 

Using Products That Combine Acids

Products that combine acids, particularly AHAs and BHAs, are ideal for combination skin, as they target both the skin’s outer layer (to take care of flaky skin) and the deeper layers (to get rid of deep-set dirt, oil and sebum).

If you're using toners products that contain acids and other types of exfoliants, make sure you focus on hydration in the other steps of your skincare routine, like toner, serum and moisturiser. This will help ensure that combination skin stays properly balanced.  

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