Building an AHA/BHA routine that works

AHAs work on the surface — brightening, smoothing, softening texture. BHAs go deeper into the pore, which makes them the pick for congestion and breakouts. Used together, thoughtfully, they cover most concerns.

Start slow

Introduce one acid at a time, twice a week, at night. Give the skin two weeks to adjust before increasing frequency. More is not faster; more is usually irritation.

What to pair, what to avoid

• Always follow with a simple moisturiser to support the barrier.
• Use SPF every morning — acids increase sun sensitivity.
• Avoid stacking with retinol on the same night until your skin is comfortable.

Consistency beats intensity. A gentle routine you keep up for months will out-perform an aggressive one your skin can't tolerate.