The age-old secret to beautiful skin

Beauty has existed for centuries, and so have the concomitant ideals of beauty. There are individual differences in the perception of beauty and attractiveness, but much is also socially and culturally determined. So it depends on place, time and culture, among other things. However, there is one beauty ideal that has always been and will always be there: radiant, young skin. Perhaps the most ancient and well-known story about beauty is about Cleopatra, queen of Ancient Egypt. To maintain her beauty, she often took a milk bath (in her case donkey milk). Whether she knew that lactic acid is the active ingredient is unknown. But, we do owe a lot today to the discoveries she made then.

Lactic acid (Lactic Acid) falls under the Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs, fruit acids), which in turn is a type of chemical peel. Chemical peels (both the treatment and the product are so called) have the property of chemically reacting with skin cells and stimulating exfoliation of the skin. So the term chemical has nothing to do with whether the active ingredient is natural or not. The additional properties of lactic acid are that it moisturises and anti-microbial, protecting the skin from pathogens. However, the most well-known property of lactic acid is suppressing the production of pigment in the skin. This is why lactic acid is often used for pigmented skins that develop pigmentation quickly (after exposure to ultraviolet radiation, impurities and skin damage, among other things). Now I also understand that it is quite unrealistic to bathe weekly in a bath of donkey milk like Cleopatra, but did you know that lactic acid is often incorporated into products? I use the SkinTech Cleanser Foam twice daily to cleanse my face. This cleanser with lactic acid gently addresses my pigment spots and restores the balance of my skin.

Another well-known AHA is gycolic acid (Glycolic Acid). Glycolic acid is obtained from sugar cane and is perhaps the most popular fruit acid. Compared to other fruit acids, this multi-purpose acid has a small molecular structure and can penetrate relatively deep into the skin. This property stimulates the production of collagen and elastin in the skin, which ensures skin firmness. In addition, glycolic acid is an antioxidant that protects the body against skin ageing caused by harmful external influences such as sun and air pollution, among others. Glycolic acid also has moisturising, pigment suppressing and anti-inflammatory effects. Glycolic acid is found in home products, but can also be used as a treatment in the clinic. My favourite ''party-play'' is SkinCeuticals' GelPeel GL. Not in the mood for a standard beauty treatment and want to do that little bit extra for your skin? Then a glycolic acid peel is perfect! It gives the skin a boost and you glow instantly, with no recovery time.

Besides the many AHAs, there are also Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs). The most well-known is salicylic acid (Salicylic Acid) which is particularly suitable and effective in treating oily skin with blemishes and mild forms of acne. This acid is fat-soluble and penetrates the pores where it dissolves accumulated sebum. Low percentages of salicylic acid are also available for daily use to prevent blemishes. I always recommend using such a product in the evening, followed by a nourishing cream to provide optimal skin support. It is important to note that salicylic acid has the same chemical structure as aspirin, which is anti-inflammatory. Should you be allergic to aspirin, the use of salicylic acid is also not recommended.

My personal beauty secret is retinoids (collective name for different variants of vitamin A), the best-known forms being vitamin A acid and retinol. Retinoids have a powerful effect but can also be combined well with other acids. They boost the skin and help reduce blemishes, fine lines, pigmentation. However, it is important to know that overuse and/or misuse of retinoids can actually cause skin irritations. My recommendation is to always seek information and start using these kinds of products under the guidance of an expert, as even low concentrations can do a lot for the skin. I personally use SkinCeuticals' Retinol 0.3 in the evening after cleansing my face to improve my skin texture, finishing with a full and nourishing cream. This is definitely my favourite skin improvement product!