Have you incorporated acids into your routine to improve your skin and ended up with tingling, tightness, redness and/or itching ?
If that's the case, you're in the right place.
Not the case for you? You should still keep reading. Some acids really do pose a problem, even if you haven't noticed any visible reaction.
Acids are everywhere.
Acids are everywhere . In serums, lotions, peels, and "radiance" routines.
We promise you smoother, brighter, clearer skin.
But what you are told less often is this:
- Not all acids have the same impact on the skin, and
- They do not all exhibit the same level of tolerance.
AHA, BHA, PHA: three families, three realities
AHA, BHA and PHA are often grouped under the term “exfoliating acids”. However, their behavior on the skin is very different.
And that's where many problems begin.
1) AHAs: effective, but often too aggressive
AHAs, also called "fruit acids" (e.g. glycolic, lactic, citric, mandelic acid…), are among the most used.
They act quickly, but this speed comes at a price.
The AHAs:
✕ Penetrate deeply into the skin
✕ Gradually weaken the skin barrier
✕ May cause redness, tingling, burning sensations
✕ Makes the skin sensitive to the sun
With repeated use, the skin can become thinner, more reactive, more unstable.
And what is less well known is that certain forms or derivatives present in certain formulations are now suspected of being endocrine disruptors , which raises long-term safety concerns.
The result: a very popular asset, but far from harmless.
2) BHA: purifying, but not neutral
BHAs (e.g., salicylic acid, tropic acid, trethocanic acid...) penetrate deeply into the pores.
They are often recommended for blemished skin.
But they can also:
✕ dry thoroughly
✕ weaken the hydrolipidic film
✕ trigger irritations and inflammations
And, as with some AHAs, some derivatives used (such as salicylic acid for example) are suspected of being endocrine disruptors.
We will therefore think twice before incorporating it into our routine.
3) PHA: exfoliate without irritation
PHAs (polyhydroxy acids) represent a new generation of acids.
Their major difference: a larger molecular structure.
They They therefore penetrate less deeply and are more respectful of the skin barrier.
The PHAs:
✔ gently exfoliate
✔ They hydrate
✔ strengthen the skin
✔ are not photosensitizing
✔ Suitable for sensitive, reactive, and fragile skin
They offer exfoliation similar to AHAs but WITHOUT causing skin stress.
Exfoliating should never cause pain to the skin
No, burning skin is not caused by a product that “works”.
No, peeling skin is not skin that is “renewing properly”.
Proper exfoliation improves the skin without damaging it . And that's exactly the philosophy behind PHAs.
Why we chose PHAs from Unlëss
At Unlëss, we have made a clear choice:
- No harsh acids
- No controversial derivatives
- No ingredients suspected of interfering with hormones
We favor assets that:
- Well tolerated
- Effective
- Suitable for regular use
And PHAs perfectly meet these criteria!
OxiShield: our alternative to harsh acids
Our OxiShield serum is formulated with PHAs to provide gentle exfoliation and a brighter complexion without irritation and without compromising on tolerance
If you're looking for an exfoliant that truly respects your skin, then OxiShield is for you!
