It may at first appear strange that acids could be a highly beneficial component of your skin care considering your natural assumption of their caustic properties. It’s not hard to imagine being somewhat skeptical and wondering “what do acids do for my skin?” when you’re remembering what you’ve seen acids do when they come in contact with certain surfaces. Some acids, however, can safely and very effectively target specific skincare problems and remedy them. Three of the most common acids that you’ll find in quality skin care products are ascorbic acid, ferulic acid and hyaluronic acid.
Ascorbic Acid
Otherwise known as vitamin C, ascorbic acid, was discovered in 1912 and is now one of the most common dietary supplements. We’ve all heard of its value in promoting overall health, its antioxidant properties and its natural availability in a variety of citrus fruits. Ascorbic acid, the synthetic form of vitamin C, is now also gaining a new reputation as a superstar in promoting healthy skin when used as a topical application. For starters, it fosters and accelerates the skin’s production of elastin and collagen. These are two important proteins that help keep skin elastic and supple.
When applied topically, ascorbic acid also promotes exfoliation, which is the shedding of dead skin cells so that new and healthy cells can replace them. Helping to repair the damage to skin caused by too much UV radiation is another benefit contributing to the increasing use of vitamin C in topical skin care products.
You may come across a load of home-brew DIY vitamin C serum recipes online, but unless you’re a skilled chemist, you can easily waste your time and produce something that won’t be worth all the effort and trouble. Unless you really know what you’re doing, a homemade topical vitamin C serum can have too low of a pH level and cause skin irritation. You’re also dealing with a form of ascorbic acid that’s highly unstable. You’ll need to either microencapsulate it or combine it with the right stabilizing antioxidants in order to get it to last more than a day or two. Neither stabilizing procedure is well suited for kitchen countertop production. Consider doing yourself a favor and leaving it to the experts to produce and quality-control a vitamin C serum that will provide the benefits you’re hoping for.
Ferulic Acid
Any skin care ingredient that can help prevent aging or reverse the appearance of aging skin is bound to become popular. Wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots are among the top contenders for undesirable skin attributes. Ferulic acid’s claim to fame is its ability to help reduce those unwanted attributes and promote skin rejuvenation. It’s also an antioxidant and can help fight the free radicals that can harm skin cells and cause skin to show signs of aging. Free radicals destroy collagen and inhibit the skin’s ability to replenish this vital protein.
You will find ferulic acid included as an ingredient in skin care products containing vitamin C because of its ability to maintain and extend its shelf life. The more concentrated and purer forms of vitamin C are less stable, and ferulic acid minimizes this instability and both prolongs and improves its effectiveness. Ferulic acid has a similar affect on the stability of vitamin E, so you’ll find it supporting both vitamins in skin care products.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid, like elastin and collagen, is an important component in skin tissue and aids in its repair. It plays a primary role in wound healing, inflammation response and tissue regeneration. As an ingredient in skin care products, hyaluronic acid helps to replenish moisture in dry skin and can bring back a smooth appearance. Hyaluronic acid works to restore skin moisture through its ability to bind to water molecules. This quality makes hyaluronic acid a humectant, which means that it’s a substance that can draw water from its surroundings. Its ability to combat dehydration makes it a useful ingredient and it can be used with most types of skin. When applied topically, hyaluronic acid will help keep skin renewed and stable. It can also reduce redness and wrinkles.
Because a reduction in skin moisture causes a visibly noticeable loss of firmness and a tendency towards wrinkling, hyaluronic acid has powerful anti-aging properties. It’s also an antioxidant and has gained an overall reputation as a multitasking skin care resource. Using hyaluronic acid for face skinmoisturizing can turn the clock back when dehydration has caused premature wrinkles and fine lines to appear.
Acid Skin Care Do’s and Don’ts
When choosing a skin care product containing an acid, think about what your skin needs most. The acids that are being used in skin care can be categorized as humectants, which are moisture replenishers, and exfoliants, which remove dead skin cells so that new and healthy ones can replace them. If in doubt, a skin care specialist can advise what your primary skin-rehabilitation goal should be, but if you don’t have any serious skin care issues and you’re planning on a DIY approach, there are a few things the experts say are worth considering.
If you want to start an at-home skin regimen, you may wish to consider a patch test before applying a new product to your sensitive facial areas. Simply place the acid-containing product on the back of your hand and wait about 48 hours. If you don’t experience any irritation, you should be okay for a facial application.
You should also avoid layering on products and brands containing a variety of different acids; there’s a possibility that they may not mix well. Unless you’re certain which acid ingredients will complement each other, you may be better off sticking with one product that you’ve already determined works best for you. Using a combination of different exfoliant products, for example, could possibly increase the overall effect beyond its point of usefulness and cause irritation or redness.
Choosing and Using a Quality Ferulic Acid and Vitamin C Product
As noted, ferulic acid improves the shelf life and effectiveness of vitamin C in addition to providing its own restorative properties. A quality product, such as 
Timeless vitamin C + E ferulic acid serum, can provide a powerful anti-aging combination that will restore your skin’s health and vibrancy in ways that you will see in the mirror within days of beginning use.
All that you need to do is apply two or three drops to the skin areas in need of treatment once in the morning and then again at night. Rub the serum into your skin smoothly with your fingertips after first cleansing the application area thoroughly. The product will dry clearly and quickly with no greasy-feeling aftereffect. The inclusion of vitamin E in the serum formula adds another powerful antioxidant and anti-aging component to the product.
The highly concentrated 20% form of vitamin C used in this serum, and the inclusion of ferulic acid as a stabilizer ensures the longest possible shelf life and effectiveness. The serum comes in a dark blue opaque bottle to ensure that product stability is not affected by exposure to light. Manufacturer-direct product shipments are guaranteed to be effective for three months from the time of purchase.
Using the Right Hyaluronic Product To Bring Powerful Restoration Benefits to Your Skin
Timeless hyaluronic acid serum is a moisturizing and hydrating product that can provide firmness and a noticeable lift to face, hands or anywhere else where dehydration has affected the appearance of your skin. The 100% pure 1% 
concentration hyaluronic acid in this serum can absorb and hold 1,000 times its weight in water. Combined with this powerful acid ingredient’s antioxidant properties and tissue regeneration abilities, this product provides highly effective anti-aging and restorative benefits. Made in the U.S. and cruelty-free, this serum is free of added colors, fragrances and parabens.
To obtain the best results, the serum should be applied in amounts of two or three drops both in the morning and in the evening, and it can also be combined with your favorite moisturizer or skin cream. Rub the serum into any skin area that requires tightening, shows age spots, or where you may have been considering risky and costly cosmetic surgery. Used on a regular basis, the serum will repair damaged skin, hydrate dry skin and encourage new and younger skin cells to grow.
The Next Step: Choosing the Best Acid-Based Skin Care Products
Knowing what acids are good for skinrejuvenation is the first step in restoring a youthful appearance to your skin. The next step is choosing the best products that contain the acid-based ingredients that will do your skin the most good. Simplicity is the key; don’t overdo it with products containing non-active extra ingredients, fillers, fragrances and unnecessary chemical additives. Look for products that are not only made from natural ingredients, but are also naturally fresh. The Timeless Skin Care product line meets those standards and the company ships direct to purchasers from a made-to-order production facility. This ensures freshness and the longest possible shelf-life.
Your skin is your body’s largest organ. It’s also your first line of defense against harmful UV rays, pollutants and pathogens. In addition to all it does, you feel good about yourself when your skin also looks good. Give it the best possible treatment and care you can.
