Should I use BHA or AHA first
William Cox
Published Apr 15, 2026
Use your AHAs and BHAs as soon after cleansing as possible. … Use your BHA first, then your AHA. That way, the BHA can get deeper into blocked or dirty pores as well as prepare the rest of your face for your AHA. After applying your acids, wait at least 20 minutes before applying the rest of your routine.
Can you use AHA and BHA together everyday?
AHAs and BHAs should be used in different ways. … “Do not overuse an alpha-hydroxy-acid product,” confirms Bolder. “Once every other day is plenty, unless you are on a programme with an expert that says otherwise.” However, it is often safe to use BHA daily.
Do I need both BHA and AHA?
AHA is best for dry skin and surface-level skin concerns like acne scars. BHAs are best for oily and acne-prone skin types. You can use both by buying products with both ingredients, or by alternating products.
Can I use AHA in the morning and BHA at night?
Both AHAs and BHAs can be used day or night. Some products are formulated to be used at night as an overnight peel, while others (often serums) are meant to be used in the morning to gently slough off any dead skin cells.Is it okay to use AHA BHA with niacinamide?
The short answer is yes you certainly can! The longer, more detailed answer, is there are a couple of ways to truly benefit from using niacinamide after using AHA and BHA. To avoid any redness or irritation from overusing potent skincare ingredients you can alternate which time of day you use them.
What can you not mix with BHA?
Don’t Mix: AHA/BHA acids with retinol. “I strongly caution those also using retinoids for acne or anti-aging as the combination with various acids may cause excessive skin sensitivity, irritation, and redness. In fact, AHA and BHA should not typically be used together with retinoids on the same day,” explains Dr.
Can I use niacinamide after BHA exfoliant?
Niacinamide should be used after your BHA exfoliant. From there, you can apply the rest of your products in order of thinnest to thickest texture. … Yes, it is safe to use niacinamide and BHA together. Both formulas are effective yet gentle and contain additional calming and restoring antioxidants.
Can I use BHA and salicylic acid together?
To fight the good fight against acne, you may also use salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) that increases skin cell turnover, to keep pores clear. But on its own, each can dry out the skin, so together they should be combined with caution.Can I use alpha hydroxy acid every day?
To reduce your risk of irritation, the Cleveland Clinic recommends using AHA products every other day. As your skin gets used to them, you can then start applying AHAs every day.
How many times a week should I use AHA BHA?Instead, start off by applying the product once a week. If you experience no adverse reactions (like stinging, dry skin or excessive redness), increase your usage to twice a week. It is better to slowly bump up your usage week by week.
Article first time published onCan you mix salicylic acid and niacinamide?
While it’s safe to use salicylic acid and niacinamide together, Leung advises that it’s best not to combine BHAs with other exfoliants or retinol. “Niacinamide is relatively non-irritating when paired with actives, but when we apply ingredients like AHA or BHAs, we need to give the skin the opportunity to use them.
Can I use Vitamin C with AHA and BHA?
Vitamin C can have exfoliating effects on the skin, which is why we generally don’t recommend mixing vitamin C with your AHAs and BHAs. As with using AHAs and BHAs together, throwing vitamin C into the mix can be a recipe for irritation. … If you find your skin can handle it, though, Dr.
Can you use AHA BHA on pimples?
AHA is best for dry skin and surface-level skin concerns like acne scars. BHAs are best for oily and acne-prone skin types. You can use both by buying products with both ingredients, or by alternating products.
Is AHA or BHA stronger?
The main BHA exfoliants you’ll see in skincare products are: Salicylic acid: The most common BHA, and also the strongest. However, it is not as irritating as glycolic acid (the strongest AHA) because of its large molecule size and anti-inflammatory nature.
Can AHA and BHA cause breakouts?
Another important point to consider while looking for the reasons behind your skin purging or breaking out is to look for the active ingredients present in the product you’re applying. It’s normal for your skin to purge when you use a product with a chemical exfoliator, such as AHA’s and BHA’s.
Can I use niacinamide after AHA BHA peel the ordinary?
Which of these products can be used after the AHA peeling solution? You’re welcome to apply Alpha-Arbutin or Niacinamide after the Peeling Solution.
Can I use niacinamide and zinc after AHA BHA peel?
Niacinamide and zinc are very soothing ingredients. Yes, you can use this product after using the AHA/BHA peel. With the peel, ensure you apply to freshly cleansed and dry skin and leave on for absolutely NO more than 10 minutes-5 if it’s your first time.
What can you not mix with ordinary niacinamide?
The Niacinamide Powder should never be used with a product that has a non-water-based formula or a pH below 5 or above 7. Especially, it should never be combined with a vitamin C or direct acid (such as AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs).
Can you use niacinamide everyday?
As it’s well tolerated by most people, niacinamide can be used twice a day everyday. … Try using it directly before the retinol or use your retinol product at night and niacinamide during the day.
What can be combined with niacinamide?
Niacinamide, a water-soluble form of vitamin B3, and salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid, work particularly well when combined together. Both have anti-aging and anti-acne effects and offer some level of UV protection.
Does niacinamide cause acne?
Though some people do report experiencing irritation and breakouts after using the ingredient, niacinamide is unlikely to cause purging. That’s because it doesn’t affect the skin in a way that usually triggers purging.
Can you mix AHA and BHA with hyaluronic acid?
Can I Combine AHA/BHA With Hyaluronic Acid? Yes! In fact, this is an ideal combination. Hyaluronic acid doesn’t function like an AHA or BHA in that it does not strip your skin — it’s actually highly nourishing and hydrating, so having “acid” in the name is a bit misleading.
Can I use AHA and salicylic acid together?
“AHAs and BHAs can certainly be combined. For example, for oily skin, a salicylic-based cleanser can be used followed by a glycolic acid toner. Generally, a glycolic acid is great for dry, dehydrated or combination skin, whereas salicylic acid would be perfect for oily/spot-prone/acne skin.
Does alpha hydroxy acid help acne?
Alpha hydroxy acids such as lactic acid, mandelic acid, and glycolic acid (for example, Alpha Hydrox) are often used in products to treat acne. These products work by drying up whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples and causing the top layer of your skin to peel.
Is hydroxy acid good for skin?
Likely Effective for Aging skin. Applying alpha hydroxy acid in a lotion, cream, solution, or skin peel can decrease wrinkles and some other signs of aging or sun-damage. Dry skin. Applying lotion or cream containing lactic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid, can improve dry skin.
Can I use salicylic acid after AHA BHA peel?
Never combine other acids or exfoliants when you use The Ordinary AHA BHA Peel during the same application. More sensitive skin types may need to wait for a day or more before using regular acids/exfoliants after using this peel while others can use mild exfoliants the very next day.
Is Salicylic Acid BHA or AHA?
Salicylic acid, which is a type of BHA, is a common ingredient in acne products. Different BHAs include: salicylic acid.
Can I use the ordinary AHA BHA with glycolic acid toner?
The experts don’t recommend combining this product in the same regimen as products containing peptides, EUK-134 0.1%, pure or ethylated vitamin C, and other direct acids (glycolic, lactic, mandelic, salicylic etc).
How do you know if you're exfoliating too much?
- irritation, burning, or peeling.
- redness and inflammation.
- breakouts, especially small pimples.
- increased sensitivity to other products in your routine.
How long does it take BHA to work?
You will find there are some instant results when using a product containing salicylic acid, particularly chemical toners. The skin will appear fresher looking with a healthy glow, in regards to treating any breakouts or other blemishes, you can expect to see results in 4-6 weeks.
How long does it take for the ordinary AHA BHA to work?
After I let it sit for 10 minutes, I rinsed it all off and followed with a super-hydrating moisturizer. Even though most skincare products take a few weeks to kick in, you’ll legit notice a difference in your skin after using this bad boy once.