With AHA and BHA being one of the most effective acne-prone skincare products out there, many people wonder if it’s okay to use AHA and BHA together with Epiduo.
As a general guide, Epiduo can be used together with AHA and BHA. All skincare products containing AHA and BHA are known to work well with Epiduo, effectively bringing you the best results.
Here are some of the best-selling AHA and BHA products listed on Amazon with free delivery.
However, there are certain cases where you should NOT use any AHA or BHA products together with Epiduo. These include:
- Using them at the same time as Epiduo. Do NOT apply your AHA and BHA products at the same time as applying Epiduo. Wait for at least 30 minutes before applying your AHA and BHA products after you have applied your Epiduo.
- In cases where your AHA or BHA product contains a high concentration of active ingredients, it is advised to not use both together in order to prevent reacting with Epiduo.
- Using them at a similar time as Epiduo. You should NOT apply your AHA and BHA in the morning, and then apply Epiduo at night. This is because doing so may result in irritation due to the active ingredients of both products reacting with each other on the skin.
- Doing this will cause more harm than good, especially if your AHA and BHA products contain a high concentration of active ingredients, which can result in your skin becoming more sensitive and prone to irritation.
- If you are planning on using all three together, it is best to use them at different times during the day. Use your Epiduo product first in the morning, followed by your AHA or BHA product. Finally, use your Epiduo again in the evening before going to bed.
Overall, using AHA and BHA products together with Epiduo is generally fine. However, you should NOT apply them at the same time as applying your Epiduo product or do so within a day.
Want to increase your skincare knowledge? Here are some guides for you to check out.
It’s not however advised to use AHA and BHA at the same time or near together, since this can make your skin very itchy, red, and irritated. But what if you used one after the other?
The best AHA skincare products For Use With Epiduo are:
- COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Skin Exfoliating Facial Spray
- Mizon AHA 8% Peeling Serum
- Neogen BHA Blackhead Power Liquid
- CosRx BHA Blackhead Power Essence.
COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Skin Exfoliating Facial Spray.
The COSRX AHA and BHA Clarifying Skin Exfoliating Facial Spray is not your average facial spray.
The COSRX AHA and BHA Clarifying Skin Exfoliating Facial Spray is a potent chemical exfoliator in a mist form. Not only does it provide deep pore cleansing action without stripping your skin’s natural oils, but it also exfoliates the skin with Betaine Salicylate (Salicylic Acid) – an extremely gentle BHA.
The AHA and BHA Clarifying Skin Exfoliating Facial Spray are perfect for those who do not like applying traditional chemical exfoliators to their face because of how harsh they are on the skin.
The AHA and BHA Clarifying Skin Exfoliating Facial Spray is formulated with 95% natural ingredients, making it perfect for those who have sensitive skin. It is also alcohol-free, oil-free, paraben-free, surfactant-free and colourant free – meaning that it will not irritate your skin and is perfect for all skin types.
We highly recommend the COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Skin Exfoliating Facial Spray for those who want exfoliation without redness, dryness or irritation to their skin.
Mizon AHA 8% Peeling Serum.
The Mizon AHA 8% Peeling Serum is a gentle AHA chemical exfoliator. Alongside glycolic acid, the Mizon AHA 8% Peeling Serum also contains lactic acid and citric acid – yet another gentle BHA chemical exfoliator – to provide deep pore cleansing and smooth skin texture without causing irritation.
This lightweight peeling serum provides a gentle exfoliation that allows your skin to look youthful, radiant and smooth without any of the irritation or dryness that you get with harsh physical scrubs.
We recommend the Mizon AHA 8% Peeling Serum to anyone who wants an effective chemical exfoliator without having to deal with any skin issues.
Neogen BHA Blackhead Power Liquid.
The Neogen BHA Blackhead Power Liquid is a unique blackhead-removing toner that eliminates blackheads and excess sebum with its natural BHA content, leaving your skin deeply cleansed without any irritation.
This unique powerful liquid works to remove excess oil from the pores, tighten them, and clear your skin from the dirt, sebum and impurities that contribute to blackheads.
In addition, the Neogen BHA Blackhead Power Liquid contains 1% natural salicylic acid, leaving your skin feeling fresh and clean without a greasy residue. It also contains Allantoin to soothe irritated skin, Zinc PCA to calm down skin inflammation, and Witch hazel extract to tighten the pores.
We highly recommend the Neogen BHA Blackhead Power Liquid for anyone who wants a powerful blackhead removing toner without dealing with the dryness of harsh physical scrubs.
CosRx BHA Blackhead Power Essence.
The CosRx BHA Blackhead Power Essence is a powerful AHA and BHA serum that deeply cleanses the pores and controls excess sebum while also treating acne and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).
The CosRx BHA Blackhead Power Essence contains 4% Betaine Salicylate, an extremely gentle chemical exfoliator derived from sugar beets, to clear and prevent acne while preserving moisture in the skin. It also contains Willow Bark Water and Black Willow Bark Extract to smooth away wrinkles and brighten the skin.
We highly recommend the CosRx BHA Blackhead Power Essence for anyone who wants a powerful anti-acne treatment without disrupting their skin’s natural moisture barrier.
Frequently Asked Questions
So, can you use AHAs and BHAs together?
The answer to this question is yes! If done properly, there are no negative side effects of using AHAs and BHAs together. However, because both ingredients target sebum production (not sebaceous glands like retinoids), it’s important that your skin be free of acne. Otherwise, you risk creating more sebum that will eventually lead to more acne.
To give your skin the greatest chance of being able to recover from any irritation caused by using AHAs and BHAs together, it’s best to introduce only one active at a time until you know how your skin reacts. Make sure to introduce them gradually, using lower concentrations at first. Also, because both ingredients are photosensitizing, it’s best to wear sunscreen during the day.
Can I use AHA BHA with Niacinamide?
AHA and BHA can be used with Niacinamide to get more benefits to the health of your skin such as increasing hydration, reducing redness and dryness, controlling oil production and restoring the skin barrier. AHA and BHA should be used first as they are potent skincare products and require a clean and dry surface to give the most benefits.
After you have cleaned and cleansed your face, you should apply AHA and BHA first and you must allow them to dry, you can then apply Niacinamide on its own or use a moisturiser that contains Niacinamide.
Do I need both AHA and BHA?
AHA and BHA are products that help deal with acne-related skin problems. Depending on the level or severity of your acne, you may want to use one or the other or both together.
If you have mild or moderate acne, then you may just want to use AHA or BHA on their own but if you have severe acne, then you may want to use both of them together as when AHA and BHA are used together, they can better address the issue and are more effective when they are used together.
Before using, you should always consult a professional.
Can I use AHA and BHA with Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic Acid is an extremely beneficial product as it nourishes the skin and does not strip the skin of any of its essential oils that lead to the skin looking dry and dull.
Hyaluronic Acid can be a great product to layer with AHA and BHA as AHA and BHA can strip the skin of its oils leading to dryness and irritation. Layering Hyaluronic Acid with AHA and BHA will address that issue and increase hydration and prevent the skin from looking dry and dull.
Hyaluronic Acid should be the last product that you use as it will help seal all the moisture and allow the products that have been applied before it to do what they need to and increase their effectiveness. You should definitely try Hyaluronic Acid.
Conclusion
Just remember that AHAs and BHAs work differently on your skin compared to other anti-ageing ingredients, so it’s important not to compare their results! For example, retinol and niacinamide work on the surface of your skin to create a smooth texture, while AHAs and BHAs work internally to dissolve dead skin cells.
Also remember that AHAs like glycolic acid exfoliates, while BHA-like salicylic acid unclogs pores (which is why they’re perfect for treating acne).
Also Read:
Lumin Skincare Review
The Beard Struggle Review
Best Moisturizer To Use With Epiduo Gel
Can You Use CeraVe With Epiduo (EXPLAINED)