Beauty & Skincare Blog

AHA vs. BHA: Understanding Chemical Exfoliants and How to Use Them

If you have spent any time reading skincare ingredient labels, you have likely encountered the abbreviations AHA and BHA. These two categories of chemical exfoliants are among the most studied and widely recommended actives in modern skincare, and yet the terminology can cause real confusion. Understanding what they do differently — and why that distinction matters for your skin — can dramatically improve your routine outcomes.

What Are AHAs?

AHA stands for alpha-hydroxy acid. These are water-soluble acids derived primarily from natural sources such as sugarcane (glycolic acid), milk (lactic acid), and fruit (citric and malic acid). Because they are water-soluble, AHAs work on the surface layers of the skin. Their primary mechanism involves loosening the bonds between dead skin cells, allowing them to shed more easily and reveal the fresher cells beneath.

The most commonly used AHAs in skincare are glycolic acid (smallest molecule, deepest surface penetration) and lactic acid (larger molecule, generally gentler and more hydrating). Lactic acid in particular is well-suited to sensitive and dry skin types because it also functions as a humectant — it draws moisture into the skin as it exfoliates.

What Are BHAs?

BHA stands for beta-hydroxy acid. The most prevalent BHA in skincare is salicylic acid, a naturally occurring compound found in willow bark. Unlike AHAs, BHAs are oil-soluble. This chemical property allows them to penetrate the sebum (oil) that lines pores and work from the inside out, dissolving the material that contributes to blackheads, whiteheads, and clogged pores.

Salicylic acid also carries anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it particularly effective for acne-prone and congested skin. It reduces redness around blemishes while simultaneously clearing the pore itself — a dual benefit that AHAs do not provide.

Which Is Better for Your Skin Type?

The honest answer is that most skin types benefit from both — just used strategically. If you experience blackheads, enlarged pores, or acne, a product containing BHA should be a priority. If dullness, uneven texture, or hyperpigmentation are your primary concerns, AHA is typically more effective. Many formulations now combine both, such as the Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0, which includes 4.5% lactic acid alongside 0.45% salicylic acid for a balanced approach to exfoliation.

Regardless of which acid you use, a broad-spectrum SPF applied each morning is non-negotiable. Chemical exfoliants remove the uppermost protective layer of dead skin cells, temporarily increasing UV sensitivity. Sun protection preserves your progress and prevents new pigmentation from forming.

→ View the Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0 on Amazon

How Hydrocolloid Patches Actually Work — The Science Behind Overnight Results

Pimple patches have moved from novelty to mainstream staple in skincare routines around the world, and for good reason. When you understand the mechanism behind them, the results make complete sense. The technology is not new — hydrocolloid has been used in wound care for decades — but its application to acne treatment has introduced millions of people to a genuinely effective, drug-free option.

The Hydrocolloid Mechanism

Hydrocolloid is a gel-forming material that absorbs moisture and creates a controlled moist environment against the skin. When applied to an active blemish — particularly a whitehead or early papule — the patch creates a sealed microenvironment over the pore. This environment serves multiple purposes simultaneously.

First, the patch absorbs the fluid contents of the blemish. Sebum, dead cells, and inflammatory fluid are drawn upward into the material of the patch, visibly appearing as a white, opaque area by morning. Second, the moist environment supports the skin's natural healing process by preventing the blemish from drying out and forming a scab, which typically extends healing time and increases the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

What the Patch Prevents

Beyond what it does, consider what it stops. A patch over a blemish physically prevents unconscious touching — a significant factor in prolonged inflammation and bacterial spread. It also prevents makeup, dirt, and environmental particulates from entering an already compromised pore during the healing process. This protective barrier function alone is meaningful for most people.

When Patches Work Best

Hydrocolloid patches perform most effectively on active whiteheads — blemishes that have come to the surface and have visible pus. They are less effective on cystic or nodular acne, which forms deep within the dermis rather than near the surface. For deep acne, a dermatologist consultation is the appropriate step.

The Mighty Patch Original from Hero Cosmetics is one of the most reliable options in this category, with a flat profile that adheres securely through sleep and an appropriately thin design that remains discreet when worn during the day. Each patch is drug-free and dermatologist-reviewed.

Results may vary. This information does not constitute medical advice.

→ View Mighty Patch Original on Amazon

Why Your Bathroom Towel Could Be Quietly Damaging Your Skin

Most skincare conversations focus on what you apply to your face. Far fewer address what you use to dry it — which is a significant gap, because the towel step happens immediately after cleansing, when your skin is freshly purified and ready to absorb everything it comes into contact with.

The Bacterial Reality of Reused Towels

A damp bathroom towel is an environment that supports microbial growth. Research has consistently found that towels used to dry skin accumulate bacteria relatively quickly, even when laundered on a regular schedule. Each time you pat a cleansed face dry with a reused towel, you are reintroducing that microbial load to pores that your cleanser just worked to clear.

For individuals with acne-prone or sensitive skin, this cycle can be a persistent, underrecognized contributor to ongoing breakouts or irritation. You may be using excellent products and following an otherwise careful routine, while an overlooked towel is quietly undoing the results.

The Case for Disposable Face Towels

Disposable face towels eliminate this problem entirely. Clean Skin Club's XL face towels are a practical solution designed specifically for this purpose. Each towel is used once and discarded, removing the possibility of bacterial accumulation. The USDA Biobased certification means that environmental concerns associated with disposable products are addressed at the material level, and the compostable design means they do not add to persistent waste streams in the same way synthetic disposables would.

The National Eczema Association's acceptance of this product is particularly meaningful — it signals suitability for skin that is prone to inflammation and reactive to common irritants, including those found on reused fabric.

→ View Clean Skin Club Towels on Amazon