SKIN FEELING OILY, PARCHED OR STRESSED? CONSIDER AN ACID TRIP

When it comes to skin care, knowledge is power, and we’re all getting smarter. “Since the pandemic, people are actively seeking information through online tutorials and master classes,” says Patricia Clare, a Vancouver-based national trainer for NeoStrata, an anti-aging skincare line. “They’re really trying to put it together. I’ve never seen anything quite like it.” Knowing that different results come from different ingredients is part of the journey toward building a skin-care routine that works for you, and that means getting more familiar with acid ingredients.

- INGRIE WILLIAMS

“Traditionally, acids are mostly keratolytics, which are ingredients that help the skin turn over and shed [dead cells] properly,” says Dr. Geeta Yadav, a dermatologist at Skin Science Dermatology in Toronto. “They add brightening and renewal—the glow effect.” Beyond that core group of chemical exfoliants, you’ll find other notable acids that can elevate a routine by increasing hydration or reducing blemishes.

Hyaluronic acid (known as HA) has zero exfoliating power, but it’s been getting all the buzz lately. Why? Because of its ability to hold a thousand times its weight in water. A naturally occurring component of the epidermis, HA contributes to youthful volume and a hydrated texture, and it diminishes with age. Often formulated with various sizes of molecules to help plump the surface, as well as draw moisture deeper into the epidermis, hyaluronic acid is a fast-acting solution for when skin feels parched. It also plays well with retinol, before or after application. “Dehydration isn’t a skin type— it’s a skin condition. We all get it, and it’s fast to correct,” Clare says. “HA is like Gatorade for thirsty skin.”