Polyhydroxy Acid

With a name like polyhydroxy acids (PHAs), it's no wonder that some of us are a little confused when it comes to knowing exactly what these key skin care ingredients do. But it's not as confusing as you may think. Essentially, these third-generation acids encourage mild peeling to gently strip away the surface layer of skin, revealing a healthier complexion beneath.

See our phas guide to answer your questions like what are PHAs and what do they do and what are the skin care benefits of PHAs.

Brands With PHAs Products

  • Benefit
  • Exuviance
  • Mesoestetic
  • Revlon Professional
  • Paula's Choice
  • Medik8
  • NeoStrata
  • Davines

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176 products found
Benefit The Porefessional Tight N Toned Toner
Benefit The Porefessional Tight N Toned Toner
£18.58
Sweed Lashes Cloud Mascara & Eyelash Growth Serum Set
Sweed Lashes Cloud Mascara & Eyelash Growth Serum Set
£62.96
Dibi Milano Face Perfection Tri-Phasic Micellar Water
Dibi Milano Face Perfection Tri-Phasic Micellar Water
£36.00
Wildsmith Skin Dual Action Exfoliating Treatment
Wildsmith Skin Dual Action Exfoliating Treatment
£58.00
PSA Skin GOALS Multi Acids & Probiotics Perfecting Night Serum
PSA Skin GOALS Multi Acids & Probiotics Perfecting Night Serum
£44.00
Exuviance Professional Total Correct Wash
Exuviance Professional Total Correct Wash
£39.40
Benefit Pore Routine Roundup Pore Care Set
Benefit Pore Routine Roundup Pore Care Set
£37.61
Exuviance Professional Total Correct Eye
Exuviance Professional Total Correct Eye
£58.70
-16%
NeoStrata Foaming Glycolic Wash
NeoStrata Foaming Glycolic Wash
£22.09 £25.99
Exuviance Professional Brightening Bionic Eye Cream Plus
Exuviance Professional Brightening Bionic Eye Cream Plus
£57.90
-51%
NeoStrata Ultra Moisturising Face Cream
NeoStrata Ultra Moisturising Face Cream
£28.04 £57.00
Exuviance Professional Sheer Daily Protector SPF 50
Exuviance Professional Sheer Daily Protector SPF 50
£39.00
-39%
Zelens PHA+ Resurfacing Facial Pad
Zelens PHA+ Resurfacing Facial Pad
£42.75 £69.03
Exuviance Professional Rejuvenating Treatment Masque
Exuviance Professional Rejuvenating Treatment Masque
£49.96
-28%
Nourkrin Woman
Nourkrin Woman
£20.99 £28.95
-6%
Exuviance Gentle Cream Cleanser
Exuviance Gentle Cream Cleanser
£34.99 £37.00
-25%
Comfort Zone Remedy Cream To Oil
Comfort Zone Remedy Cream To Oil
£22.95 £30.50
-4%
Exuviance Illuminating Oxygen Facial
Exuviance Illuminating Oxygen Facial
£56.99 £59.00
-24%
Dermalogica The Peel Power-Up Set
Dermalogica The Peel Power-Up Set
£34.20 £45.00
Exuviance Professional Clarifying Facial Cleanser
Exuviance Professional Clarifying Facial Cleanser
£37.00
-8%
Balance Me PHA Clarifying Mist
Balance Me PHA Clarifying Mist
£16.20 £17.60
-6%
The INKEY List Caffeine Stimulating Scalp Treatment
The INKEY List Caffeine Stimulating Scalp Treatment
£14.12 £14.99
-6%
Exuviance Deep Clean AHA Cleanser
Exuviance Deep Clean AHA Cleanser
£32.99 £35.00
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner
£14.00
Charlotte Tilbury Super Radiance Resurfacing Facial
Charlotte Tilbury Super Radiance Resurfacing Facial
£52.00
Exuviance SkinRise Morning Glow
Exuviance SkinRise Morning Glow
£49.00
La Mer The Renewal Oil
La Mer The Renewal Oil
£120.00
NIOD Flavanone Mud
NIOD Flavanone Mud
£30.93
Weleda Sea Buckthorn Revitalising Body Lotion
Weleda Sea Buckthorn Revitalising Body Lotion
£13.46
111SKIN Advent Calendar
111SKIN Advent Calendar
£300.00
L'Anza Give The Gift Of Brighter Blondes Set
L'Anza Give The Gift Of Brighter Blondes Set
£47.50
Schwarzkopf Professional BC Bonacure Moisture Kick Spray Conditioner
Schwarzkopf Professional BC Bonacure Moisture Kick Spray Conditioner
£12.60
Balance Me Pre & Probiotic Radiance Cream
Balance Me Pre & Probiotic Radiance Cream
£23.40
Elemental Herbology Vital Glow Overnight Resurfacing Cream
Elemental Herbology Vital Glow Overnight Resurfacing Cream
£65.00
-80%
Lipstick Queen Altered Universe Lip Gloss
Lipstick Queen Altered Universe Lip Gloss
£4.00 £20.00
-65%
Mesoestetic The Lifting Pack
Mesoestetic The Lifting Pack
£74.99 £210.00
-60%
Davines VOLU Shampoo Bar
Davines VOLU Shampoo Bar
£11.25 £27.47
-56%
Decléor Eucalyptus Cica-Botanic Mask
Decléor Eucalyptus Cica-Botanic Mask
£20.00 £44.50
-46%
Davines LOVE Naked Shampoo Bar
Davines LOVE Naked Shampoo Bar
£15.00 £27.47
-31%
Sienna X The Toning Solution
Sienna X The Toning Solution
£11.85 £17.00
-31%
Regenerate Enamel Science Advanced Toothpaste
Regenerate Enamel Science Advanced Toothpaste
£1.74 £2.50
-29%
Guinot Sun Logic Water Bi-Phase Spray Body SPF 15
Guinot Sun Logic Water Bi-Phase Spray Body SPF 15
£29.00 £40.50
-26%
Indeed Labs Gluconolactone 10% Exfoliating Toner
Indeed Labs Gluconolactone 10% Exfoliating Toner
£14.99 £19.99
-25%
GUERLAIN Orchidee Imperiale Brightening Radiance Essence-In-Lotion
GUERLAIN Orchidee Imperiale Brightening Radiance Essence-In-Lotion
£87.50 £116.00
-25%
BeautyBio R45 The Reversal
BeautyBio R45 The Reversal
£120.00 £160.00
-20%
Kiehl's Daily Refining Milk Peel Toner
Kiehl's Daily Refining Milk Peel Toner
£41.60 £52.00
-20%
Decléor Aloe Vera Sun Bi-Phase Oil SPF 30 Body
Decléor Aloe Vera Sun Bi-Phase Oil SPF 30 Body
£25.60 £32.00
-20%
Korres Natural Wild Rose 15% Vitamin C Advanced Brightening Bi Phase Booster
Korres Natural Wild Rose 15% Vitamin C Advanced Brightening Bi Phase Booster
£36.80 £46.00
-16%
NeoStrata Cellular Restoration
NeoStrata Cellular Restoration
£45.89 £53.99
-10%
MAC Studio Fix Mattifine 12HR Shine-Control Primer
MAC Studio Fix Mattifine 12HR Shine-Control Primer
£27.05 £30.00
-10%
Gatineau Exfoliating PHA & BHA Glow Tonique
Gatineau Exfoliating PHA & BHA Glow Tonique
£27.20 £30.00
-7%
Davines MOMO Naked Shampoo Bar
Davines MOMO Naked Shampoo Bar
£15.00 £16.00
-7%
SVR Sebiaclear Active Gel
SVR Sebiaclear Active Gel
£13.99 £15.00
-7%
Exuviance Age Less Everyday
Exuviance Age Less Everyday
£41.99 £45.00
-6%
Exuviance Pore Clarifying Cleanser
Exuviance Pore Clarifying Cleanser
£35.99 £38.00
-6%
Oskia The Good Skin Edit
Oskia The Good Skin Edit
£28.49 £29.99
-6%
111SKIN Clarity 3 Phase Anti Blemish Booster
111SKIN Clarity 3 Phase Anti Blemish Booster
£84.90 £90.00
-6%
Exuviance HydraSoothe Refresh Toner
Exuviance HydraSoothe Refresh Toner
£32.99 £35.00
-5%
The INKEY List PHA Toner
The INKEY List PHA Toner
£12.35 £12.99
-5%
Exuviance Daily Eye Smoother
Exuviance Daily Eye Smoother
£40.99 £43.00
-5%
Exuviance Overnight Transformation Complex
Exuviance Overnight Transformation Complex
£42.99 £45.00
-4%
L'Anza Healing Blonde Bright Blonde Shampoo
L'Anza Healing Blonde Bright Blonde Shampoo
£27.00 £28.00
-4%
L'Anza Healing Nourish Stimulating Conditioner
L'Anza Healing Nourish Stimulating Conditioner
£28.00 £29.00
-4%
Exuviance Radiance Serum
Exuviance Radiance Serum
£61.99 £64.00
-4%
Exuviance Anti-Pollution Renewal Mask
Exuviance Anti-Pollution Renewal Mask
£56.99 £59.00
-3%
Exuviance Age Reverse Eye Contour
Exuviance Age Reverse Eye Contour
£64.99 £67.00
-1%
CosRx AC Collection Calming Liquid Mild
CosRx AC Collection Calming Liquid Mild
£27.99 £28.00
Decléor Green Mandarin Exfoliating Bi Phase Peel
Decléor Green Mandarin Exfoliating Bi Phase Peel
£46.00
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner Home & Away Kit
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner Home & Away Kit
£27.30
BABOR Repair Ampoule Concentrates Active Night
BABOR Repair Ampoule Concentrates Active Night
£29.75
BABOR Doctor Babor Lifting Cellular: Youth Concentrate Bi-Phase
BABOR Doctor Babor Lifting Cellular: Youth Concentrate Bi-Phase
£27.45
Matis Paris Reponse Purete Pure Lotion Face Toner For Combination To Oily Skin Types
Matis Paris Reponse Purete Pure Lotion Face Toner For Combination To Oily Skin Types
£6.70
Exuviance Professional Vespera Bionic Serum
Exuviance Professional Vespera Bionic Serum
£41.95
BABOR HY-OL & Phytoactive Sensitive Gift Set
BABOR HY-OL & Phytoactive Sensitive Gift Set
£29.95
Davines DEDE Naked Shampoo Bar
Davines DEDE Naked Shampoo Bar
£11.25
Exuviance Professional Night Renewal Hydragel
Exuviance Professional Night Renewal Hydragel
£25.50
Payot Paris Les Demaquillantes Instantane Yeux
Payot Paris Les Demaquillantes Instantane Yeux
£12.00
Comfort Zone First Class Hydra Kit
Comfort Zone First Class Hydra Kit
£47.95
Skin Republic AHA 15% + PHA Serum
Skin Republic AHA 15% + PHA Serum
£9.10
Valmont Hydration Hydra3 Regenetic Serum
Valmont Hydration Hydra3 Regenetic Serum
£162.95
Exuviance Professional Total Correct Night
Exuviance Professional Total Correct Night
£62.90
Exuviance Professional Bionic Tonic
Exuviance Professional Bionic Tonic
£39.40
Exuviance Professional Soothing Toning Lotion
Exuviance Professional Soothing Toning Lotion
£31.50
Exuviance Night Smooth Hydrating Gel
Exuviance Night Smooth Hydrating Gel
£51.30
Exuviance Professional Hydrating Eye Complex
Exuviance Professional Hydrating Eye Complex
£36.60
Exuviance Professional Moisture Balance Toner
Exuviance Professional Moisture Balance Toner
£31.10
PHAs

Frequently Asked Questions about PHAs products

What are PHAs and what do they do?

PHAs are a skin care trend that have taken 2018 by storm, and are just as effective (but less irritable) than their brother and sister exfoliating acids, AHAs and BHAs. PHAs gently break down that top layer of skin to reveal a vibrant finish.

A larger molecular structure means that they are less able than AHAs and BHAs to penetrate the skin – but this doesn't mean you're missing out. Instead of penetrating, PHAs dissolve the protein bond that keeps dead skin attached to your face, treating you to a revived texture.

What are the skin care benefits of PHAs?

The list is almost endless with this one. As PHAs have the ability to dissolve dead skin cells, the complexion is left looking and feeling noticeably brighter. Better still, PHAs are known to improve the skin's hydration levels due to their ability to attract moisture. Softer skin and a surge of hydration? We're sold.

Who should use PHA beauty products?

PHAs are suitable for most skin types, but if you suffer from acne then you may want to seek out more penetrative treatments, such as salicylic acid.

What other ingredients/products go well with PHAs?

Due to their gentle nature, PHAs can be mixed with other key skin care staples. When done properly, mixing PHAs with AHAs provides an out-of-this-world glow. Equally, mixing PHAs with 1% vitamin A can reduce pigmentation and generally brighten up your skin.

As with anything in life, it is important to not overuse these skin care acids, so bear in mind that the potency of formulas increases when you blend multiple acids.

How often should I be using PHA beauty products?

It's worth considering what form the PHAs are in. Toners, cleansers and serums often have a low concentration of PHAs, making these products safe to be used pretty much every day. However, we recommend always listening to your skin's demands above anything else.

Are there any drawbacks/side effects of PHAs?

The gentle stripping properties of PHAs can make skin more sensitive to UVA rays, making it paramount that you wear SPF daily.

What exactly are the differences between PHAs and AHA/BHAs?

It all comes down to the molecular structures. AHAs and BHAs tend to enter the skin's surface more aggressively because of their smaller molecules, which can quickly penetrate the skin. However, the larger molecules that belong to PHAs can't infiltrate the skin's surface quite so intensely, making them a softer alternative for sensitive skin.

As an eczema sufferer, can I use PHA-based beauty products?

As always, it's best to try out a patch test before committing to a regular routine. However, clinical studies have found PHAs to be compatible with very dry skin conditions, including eczema.

Hannah Liddle

Written by Hannah Liddle, Beauty Editor

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