Home > Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine > Beta Hydroxy

Description

Beta hydroxy acids are a group of acids whose skin treatment properties are being rediscovered. Developed long ago for acne treatment, salicylic acid, benzoic acid, butyric acid and other less well known acids have been recently reclassified as beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) or beta hydroxys.

BHAs are exfoliants, which means that they cause the top layers of the skin to exfoliate or peel. Exfoliation leaves behind fresh skin that is also smoother and softer than before. Beta hydroxys work by speeding up the turnover of skin cells. They dissolve the glue that holds dead skin cells in the top layers, allowing the fresh cells beneath to emerge. Chemical exfoliation with beta hydroxys peels away a variety of such age-related skin problems as wrinkles, acne, age spots, blemishes, and skin unevenness. Used on a regular basis at a much lower...