Health - Family - Food

Glycolic Acid & Lactic Acid. These 2 natural acids are also known as Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA). They are biologically occurring acids, obtained from sugars in particular plants or in milk. Some examples are Citric Acid (Citrus Fruits), Glycolic Acid (Sugar Cane), Malic Acid (Apples), Tartaric Acid (Grapes), Lactic Acid (Milk), and Mandelic Acid (Bitter Almonds). These acids work at the very base of the stratum corneum, dissolving the cement that maintains devitalized skin cells together. This allows for an increase in cell turnover and influences the structure of new stratum corneum being made.

Salicylic acid acts from the external layer of the skin, dissolving skin layer by layer. Salicylic acid is the chemical composite with the formula C6H4(OH)CO2H, where the OH group is adjacent to the carboxylic acid group. This colorless transparent organic acid is mostly used in organic synthesis and functions as a plant hormone. It is probably best known as a composite that is chemically similar but not identical to the active component of aspirin. The name comes from the latin word for the willow tree (Salix), from whose bark it can be obtained.

Also known as beta hydroxy acid (compare to AHA), salicylic acid is the basic additive in many skin-care products for the treatment of stretch marks, keratosis pilaris, corns, callouses, psoriasis, acne and warts. It treats acne by causing skin cells to slough off more readily, preventing pores from clogging up. This action on skin cells also makes salicylic acid an active ingredient in several shampoos meant to treat dandruff. Use of straight salicylic solution may leave hyperpigmentation on unpretreated skin for people with darker skin tones (Fitzpatrick phototypes IV, V, VI), just like the lack of use of a broad spectrum sunblock.

Facial cleansers also contain Camphor. This is a natural ingredient extracted from wood of the camphor laurel (Cinnamonum camphora), a huge evergreen tree found in Asia (particularly in Borneo) and some other similar trees in the laurel family, including Ocotea usambarensis. Camphor is readily absorbed through the skin and produces a feeling of cooling similar to that of menthol and acts as slight local anesthesic and antimicrobial substance.

Cleansers also contain a little Phenol, which is a natural chemical of the formula C6H5OH. Its composition is that of a hydroxyl group (-OH) linked to a phenyl ring; it is thus an aromatic compound. It has antibiotic and anesthesic properties.

When an alpha-beta facial cleanser is used to clean oily skin the result is a more elastic, smoother skin, and a more even skin tone.