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Ingredients
AHAs (like glycolic and lactic acid) are water-soluble and work mainly at the skin's surface — good for dryness and dullness. Salicylic acid, the main BHA, is oil-soluble, so it can get into oil-filled pores — useful for oily and acne-prone skin. That's a useful starting distinction, not a rigid rule: formulation, concentration and pH all affect how any given product actually behaves on your skin.
Evidence reviewed · Aug 2026
- DermNet NZ — alpha and beta hydroxy acidsDermNet
AHA/BHA mechanism and skin-type suitability
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Content last reviewed 31 August 2026 by the SkinLabs Editorial Team.