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Cosmeceuticals > Hydroxy Acids in Anti-Aging Creams

Many anti-wrinkle creams are marketed with the promise of making the consumer look younger. Eradicating wrinkles, brown spots, and sun related texture changes are all stated goals.

At high concentration, alpha and beta hydroxy acids, also known as fruit acids, can be used to perform mild beauty-parlor grade chemical peels. At the much lower concentrations present in various creams and lotions, any such exfoliant effect is markedly muted.

Used on a regular basis, however, hydroxy acids may cause enough skin shedding to stimulate the growth of newer and fresher-appearing skin cells.

Be aware that some skin doctors are of the opinion that chronic exfoliation may not be such a good thing in the long run.

Continual use of exfoliants may end up thinning the outermost protective epidermis to the point that the sun's rays can more easily cause deeper damage to the underlying dermis, the very opposite of why most people are willing to pay extra for an upgraded modern moisturizer.