What are BHA & AHA
and Why Your Skin Needs Them
Chemical exfoliants that resurface skin, clear pores, fade dark spots, and smooth texture — without the damage of physical scrubbing.
"AHAs and BHAs are proven effective for removing dead skin cells, unclogging pores, and improving skin texture. Pairing them with soothing ingredients allows effective exfoliation while maintaining overall skin health." — Dermatology Research Review, 2023
AHA vs BHA vs PHA — What's the Difference?
AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) — water-soluble acids including glycolic acid, lactic acid, and mandelic acid. They work on the surface of skin, dissolving the bonds between dead skin cells to reveal fresh skin underneath. Best for dry skin, dullness, uneven tone, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation.
BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid) — most commonly salicylic acid. It's oil-soluble, meaning it penetrates into the pore lining itself, dissolving the oil and dead cell buildup that causes blackheads and breakouts from within. Best for oily skin, acne, blackheads, and enlarged pores.
PHA (Polyhydroxy Acid) — the gentlest family, including gluconolactone and lactobionic acid. PHAs have a larger molecular structure that means slower, shallower penetration — delivering mild exfoliation with virtually no irritation. Best for sensitive skin that wants exfoliation benefits without redness or stinging.
Key Benefits of Chemical Exfoliants
Dissolves dead skin cell bonds to accelerate natural renewal — revealing fresher, brighter skin within days of use.
BHA penetrates inside pores to dissolve oil and debris — reducing blackheads, whiteheads, and congestion at the source.
By removing pigmented surface cells faster, AHAs visibly improve uneven tone and fade post-acne marks over time.
Regular chemical exfoliation removes the rough, bumpy surface layer — leaving skin visibly smoother and more even.
By clearing the surface layer, exfoliation allows serums and moisturisers to penetrate more effectively.
BHA is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory — kills acne-causing bacteria inside the pore while regulating sebum production.
Which Acid is Right for Your Skin?
Oily & Acne-Prone → BHA (Salicylic Acid)
BHA is the gold standard for oily skin. Its oil-solubility allows it to get inside pores and clear them from within — something water-soluble AHAs cannot do. Start with 0.5–2% BHA two to three times per week and build up as tolerated.
Dry & Dull → AHA (Glycolic or Lactic Acid)
AHAs resurface and brighten without deep pore-clearing. Lactic acid is gentler than glycolic and also slightly hydrating — making it the best AHA for dry skin. Glycolic acid penetrates more deeply and delivers stronger resurfacing for stubborn dullness or fine lines.
Sensitive → PHA
PHA delivers gentle exfoliation without the sting or redness that AHAs and BHAs can cause for reactive skin. It also has antioxidant and hydrating properties — making it a multitasker for sensitive skin that still wants visible exfoliation results.
Combination → AHA + BHA Together
Products combining AHA + BHA (and often PHA) deliver both surface resurfacing and pore-clearing in one step — ideal for combination skin dealing with both oiliness and dullness simultaneously.
How to Use Chemical Exfoliants Safely
- Start 2–3 times per week, not daily. Daily use of strong AHAs/BHAs risks over-exfoliation — a damaged barrier, redness, and sensitivity.
- Apply at night — AHAs increase photosensitivity. Always apply SPF 50+ the following morning.
- Wait for skin to be fully dry after cleansing — applying to damp skin increases penetration and irritation.
- Do not layer multiple strong exfoliants in the same routine unless the product is specifically designed as a combination.
- Pair with centella or soothing ingredients on the same or following night to offset irritation.
- Do not use on the same night as retinol until your skin has fully adjusted to both — combined cell turnover can lead to over-exfoliation.
- Over-exfoliation is one of the most common skincare mistakes. Persistent redness, stinging, and tightness are signs you are using acids too frequently. Less is more.
Sri Lanka note: Heat, humidity, and high sebum production make pores more prone to congestion — BHA is particularly useful here. However, our intense UV means post-exfoliation SPF is even more critical: freshly exfoliated skin is more sensitive to sun damage. Never skip SPF the morning after using acids.
Best Pick for Your Skin Type
2% salicylic acid (BHA), confirmed fragrance-free by Anua's clean formula philosophy. Salicylic acid is oil-soluble — the only exfoliant that can penetrate inside the pore lining and dissolve the oil and dead cell buildup that causes blackheads and breakouts from within. Dermatologist-recommended at 1–2% for daily use. Formulated with heartleaf extract to reduce irritation from the acid.
7% glycolic acid (AHA), confirmed fragrance-free. Glycolic acid has the smallest molecular size of all AHAs, giving it the deepest penetration and strongest resurfacing effect. Dermatologists recommend AHA not BHA for dry skin — it works on the surface to remove dull cells, while BHA's deep pore-clearing is unnecessary for dry skin types and can worsen dryness.
PHA (polyhydroxy acid), confirmed fragrance-free by AXIS-Y's clean formulation standard. PHA has the largest molecular structure of all chemical exfoliants — its shallow penetration delivers effective exfoliation with virtually no irritation or redness. Dermatologists universally recommend PHA as the only acid exfoliant appropriate for reactive and sensitive skin. Also has antioxidant and hydrating properties alongside its exfoliant action.
Triple acid — AHA resurfaces dull dry patches, BHA clears oily T-zone pores, PHA gently exfoliates reactive areas. Note: this formula contains fragrance — if fragrance-sensitive, use the Anua BHA toner instead. For combination skin without fragrance sensitivity, this is the most comprehensive single-product exfoliant approach, addressing all three zones in one step.
Azelaic acid 10% + kojic acid, confirmed fragrance-free. Azelaic acid inhibits tyrosinase and gently exfoliates pigmented cells — with FDA approval for rosacea and strong evidence for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). Kojic acid is a separate tyrosinase inhibitor working via a different mechanism. Dual-pathway melanin blocking with significantly less irritation than stronger AHAs, making this the best dark spot exfoliant treatment for Sri Lankan skin.
Triple acid body wash specifically formulated for body acne — back, chest, and shoulder breakouts caused by heat, sweat, and humidity. This is particularly relevant for Sri Lanka's tropical climate where body congestion is significantly more common than in cooler countries. AHA resurfaces rough skin, BHA clears pores in the follicle, PHA soothes while exfoliating. Note: contains fragrance.
All BHA & AHA Products at Havona
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