Also known as AHA’s, these acids are the most common ones used in skin peels. They include glycolic, mandelic, and lactic acid. But how do they benefit your skin?

They work through exfoliation. Think of it as “peeling back” the top layers of your skin which may be damaged due to acne scars, excess sun, and other lifestyle factors. In turn, the fresh new skin underneath is brought to the surface. Now that you know how it works, you can see why it’s a popular choice for everything from treating wrinkles to being a scar remover. But before you dash out the door to get your own skin peel, there’s a few important things you should know.

There are many different strengths available. The products you buy at the store, such as alpha hydroxy cream, are the least concentrated. Meanwhile, the treatments offered at dermatologist offices use the highest concentrations. However stronger doesn’t necessarily mean better. Often times, a series of at-home treatments using a lighter strength will be equally as effective as getting one strong peel at the doctor’s office.

When you buy alpha hydroxy cream at the store, the concentration is most likely 5% to 10% glycolic acid. The side effects are usually minimal when using this formulation. But the strength used by doctors can be all the way up to 50% or even 70%. When these are used, there can be intense peeling and even chemical burns. So be sure to keep this in mind before you undergo this treatment.