Beta-hydroxy acids, aka BHAs, are beloved for their ability to exfoliate skin and clear out clogged pores, making them an especially popular choice among people with oily, acne-prone skin. BHAs can be found in lots of skin care products — most notably cleansers — but some, of course, are better than others. Board-certified dermatologist (and Vichy brand expert) Dr. Erin Gilbert tells Elite Daily that the best BHA cleansers feature elegant formulas that provide multiple benefits for a range of skin types. She says to look for cleansers that allow the BHA in question (most commonly salicylic acid) to shine, so steer clear of formulas that contain other ingredients that can be hard on your skin, like other strong acids or stripping soaps.
Depending on the cleanser that you're using, Dr. Gilbert says combining AHA products with BHAs is not only "a bit redundant," but it may even cause irritation. "You have to know the concentrations of the acids and what their intended use is before doubling up on them," she explains. As far as other topical medications, if you're dealing with acne and your skin responds well to benzoyl peroxide spot treatments, you can carefully pair yours with your BHA cleanser, but go easy at first. "The irritation [from benzoyl peroxide] can take you by surprise if you are too liberal with it," she says.
For an easy way to incorporate BHAs into your skin care routine, pick up any of the best salicylic acid cleansers featured ahead.
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