Alpha-hydroxy acids

What are AHA’s & more importantly how do they affect my tan?

AHA’s, or alpha-hydroxy acids, are acids used in skincare that assist in removing dead skin cells from the surface layer of the skin.  

What types of AHA’s are there?

Some of them are derived from fruit, so AHA’s are sometimes referred to as "fruit acids". Others include:

• Glycolic acid - from sugar cane juice, sugar beets, or unripe grapes. On product labels it may also be called hydroxyacetic acid, hydroxyethanoic acid, alpha hydroxyacetic acid, ammonium alpha hydroxyethanoate, or ammonium glycolate.
• Lactic acid - from tomato juice or sour milk. Other names for lactic acid: 2-hydroxypropanoic acid, ammonium lactate.
• Malic acid - from apples
• Tartaric acid - from grapes and wine
• Citric acid - from citrus fruits or pineapples

Other names for AHA’s

• glycolic acid
• lactic acid
• glycolic acid + ammonium glycolate
• alpha-hydroxyethanoic acid + ammonium alpha-hydroxyethanoate
• alpha-hydroxyoctanoic acid
• alpha-hydroxycaprylic acid
• hydroxycaprylic acid
• mixed fruit acid
• triple fruit acid
• tri-alpha hydroxy fruit acids
• sugar cane extract
• alpha hydroxy and botanical complex
• L-alpha hydroxy acid
• glycomer in cross linked fatty acids alpha nutrium
• salicylic acid
• beta hydroxybutanoic acid
• tropic acid
• trethocanic acid
• malic acid
• citric acid  

Glycolic acid and lactic acid are probably the best known and most common AHA’s. Some cosmetic chemists believe that these penetrate the skin's outer layers better than other AHA’s.

How do they work?

AHA’s exfoliate the skin by "dissolving" the bonds between skin cells, helping your skin to shed its dead cells and revealing the fresh new cells underneath.  Unlike facial scrubs, which actually rub the dead cells away, AHA’s do not require rubbing or abrasion to do this.  You won’t necessarily know if they are in your products.

Which products contain AHA’s?

Many skin products contain AHA’s including moisturisers, body lotions, anti-wrinkle creams,  body washes and shower gels, so check your labels against the list above to see if you are doing damage to your tan.

But what does it mean to me & my tan?

Although AHA’s definitely have their benefits and are a popular option for helping to renew the skins’ surface, they aren’t so ‘friendly’  with your newly attained tan!  AHA’s will quickly strip your tan and can create a blotchy appearance.  Not all products are created equally and the levels of AHA’s in products do vary and logically the more the product contains, the more adverse affect they will have on your tan.  However it is often difficult to tell what the levels of AHAs are from the ingredients list so play it safe and try to avoid them (AHA’s) altogether after you have had your spray tan applied..

So….make the most of your fabulous new tan and be sure to check the product labels against the list of AHA’s above.  If they’re in there, don’t use them!