How to Make Alpha Hydroxy Acid

Make alpha hydroxy creams at home.

Skin care products containing alpha hydroxy acids have become extremely popular due to their effectiveness in treating many common skin concerns like wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, acne and even dry, flaky skin. But alpha hydroxy acids can also be very expensive. You can make all natural alpha hydroxy acid for wrinkles, acne, dry skin and age spots.

Instructions

1. Make a home glycolic acid peel from raw brown sugar and the juice of unripened grapes. Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that is most often used to smooth, firm and erase fine lines. Mix both ingredients in a natural plant oil such as coconut, jojoba or grapeseed oil to make a paste. Apply the peel to your face using an upward, circular massaging motion. Leave it on your skin for 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse well with warm water. A glycolic acid peel can be used one to three times per week and is a very effective treatment for wrinkles, dryness and loss of skin firmness.

2. Use apple cider vinegar to make malic acid facial treatments. Of all alpha hydroxy acids, malic acid is the best choice for people with acne, oiliness and uneven skin tone. Naturally found in apples, malic acid helps to dissolve dead skin cells, decrease oil production, clear blackheads and fade dark spots. To make a malic acid treatment at home, simply dilute apple cider vinegar in water, dab a cotton ball in the mixture and apply it to the face three to five times per week. For sensitive skin, rinse well with warm water after 10 minutes and follow up with an oil-free moisturizer.

3. Make lactic acid facials to brighten skin tone, soothe dryness and stop skin flaking. Lactic acid is found naturally in milk and is both an exfoliating alpha hydroxy acid and a soothing moisturizer. Mix plain yogurt with a bit of organic honey and apply the mask to your face for 10 to 20 minutes, three to five times per week. This homemade lactic acid mask completely eliminates flaky skin and will leave your face smooth, soft and glowing.

4. Treat inflammatory cystic acne breakouts with a natural salicylic acid mask. The most common source of salicylic acid is aspirin, but it can also be found in smaller amounts in aloe and strawberries. Dissolve one to three crushed aspirin in a few drops of lemon juice. Add aloe vera gel and two or three mashed strawberries to form a paste. Apply the salicylic acid mask to face for 10 to 25 minutes, three to five times per week. Then rinse well with warm water. You can also use the mask as a spot treatment for breakouts as needed.

Tips & Warnings

• Alpha hydroxy acids increases the skin's sensitivity to sun. Always use sunscreen when going outdoors while using AHA skin treatments. Some alpha hydroxy acid products may cause minor irritation or peeling. To prevent unpleasant side effects, always use a moisturizer after each AHA treatment.

References

• University of Maryland Medical Center; Skin Wrinkles and Blemishes -- Treatment