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Blemishes and oil

LHA

LHA, short for lipohydroxy acid: salicylic acid with a fatty chain attached, which makes it more oil-loving and slower-acting.

  • Conditions skin
What it does
Used in cleansing oils, exfoliating creams and pore serums for smoother texture and clearer-looking pores.
How often
Daily in gentle cleansers and routine skincare; stronger exfoliants and retinoid formulas start less often. Masks can be daily or weekly, cleansing oils are evening steps, body mist follows showering and spot care is used when needed.

LHA is a derivative of salicylic acid (BHA). Salicylic acid is commonly avoided during pregnancy, so ask your doctor or midwife before using a product with LHA. This isn't medical advice.

Pairs with

Ingredients that sit well beside LHA in a routine.

Use apart

What we recommend keeping out of the same session as LHA, and why.

  • RetinolAlternate nights

    LHA works more slowly than salicylic acid, but it still exfoliates, so give it and retinol separate nights unless a product's own directions pair them.

  • AHAAvoid together

    LHA is already an exfoliating acid, so an AHA in the same session is one too many. Use one or the other, unless a single product combines them.

  • KaolinAvoid together

    A clay mask straight after an LHA product can leave skin tight and dry. Keep them to different days.

Products with LHA

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