Skincare Benefits of Malic Acid- Why is Malic Acid Good for Skin?
An apple a day keeps the doctor away, or so the famous saying goes! Well, apples aren’t only a healthy snack, the acid found in them is also wonderfully beneficial for the skin. Malic acid is a member of the Alpha Hydroxy Acid family and admittedly this acid is not as popular or well known as others like, lactic or hyaluronic. But it delivers incredible results for the complexion. Find out more about this acid in this guide.
What is Malic Acid?
You will find that malic acid is naturally produced in the body and aids movement by converting carbohydrates into energy. Without malic acid, getting from A to B will be significantly more difficult.
For cosmetic malic acid is derived from fruits such as apples and pears. It is considered part of the group of chemical exfoliates called Alpha Hydroxy Acids. Out of all the AHAs, malic acid is the least studied but the research carried out has shown this acid to hold many beneficial properties be it for a health supplement to skincare.
Having first been isolated from apple juice in 1785, malic acid has been used for centuries in the food and drink industry to give the products a tart taste. Fast forward to present times and you may be surprised to hear that malic acid appears in many skin and hair care products such as:
Shampoos
Body lotion
Nail treatments
Acne treatment
Anti-ageing products
And many more
Malic acid is used by skincare professionals mainly as part of chemical peels due to the fact that the acid is celebrated for its ability to brighten the skin and smooth uneven texture.
Much like its fellow AHA, malic acid stimulates the exfoliation of skin by interfering breaking down the cohesive bonds of dead epidermal cells. As the bonds are broken down and dead skin cells are removed, your complexion will appear brighter and will also be less prone to forming blemishes.
Another way malic acid is used is to take it orally using supplements or tonics to help with syndromes such as dry mouth, carotic pain and tiredness. The dosage of the acid needs to be taken into consideration, but more on that later on.
What are The Top Benefits of Malic Acid
We have already covered some of the benefits of malic acid briefly and now we will go into more detail of the top benefits of malic acid and what it can do for you and your skin.
Malic Acid Can Prevent Breakouts and Blemishes
Malic acid is a key ingredient to the prevention of breakouts, such as spots and blackheads. With the exfoliating properties of the acid able to sweep away any dead skin cells that can lead to a dull-looking complexion. A build of these cells, as well as debris, bacteria and excess sebum, leads to spots and other blemishes forming. By working its way into the lower layers of the skin malic acid is able to clear the pores and rid the face of dead skin cells. You will also find that pigmentation, scarring and other skin concerns normally associated with breakouts will be treated.
Malic Acid Restores pH Balance and Hydrates the Skin
Similar to hyaluronic acid, malic acid is a humectant. By that I mean it is able to retain moisture and keep your skin hydrated. Great for anyone suffering from dehydrated skin which is often mistaken for skin that is showing the first signs of ageing.
Malic acid is often used as an ingredient in cosmetics due to its pH balancing properties. When the pH levels of your skin are imbalanced, your skin’s protective barrier becomes destabilised thereby causing your skin to become more prone to dryness, irritation and breakouts. Unlike other acids, malic acid has a unique ability in maintaining a balanced pH for a longer duration of time.
Those suffering from eczema should also note that malic acid can help calm and reduce irritation and hydrate the skin. Using malic acid for skin conditions requires a great deal of consideration as both its short and long-term impact is unknown.
Malic Acid Can Help with Anti-Ageing and Pigmentation
Malic acid promotes high skin cell turnover rate, resulting in the process of shedding layers of old skin cells is quicker than the usual 30-day cycle this, in turn, leads to:
Fewer visible fine line and wrinkles
An even skin tone
Smoother texture to the skin
Skin appearing firmer and plumped
Less blemishes to the complexion
As we age, the production of collagen decreases in our bodies and this leads to our skin losing its firmness and elasticity. Using higher concentration of malic will also allow the acid to work further down the layers of skin and increase the formation of collagen. With collagen production receiving a helping hand from malic acid, skin appears firm, plumped and youthful with the signs of ageing reduced significantly.
As for pigmentation of the skin, malic acid speeding up the turnover of cells results in dark marks and pigmentation becoming less visible over time. One important factor to remember is that with the new skin cells being on show results in skin sensitivity to the sun’s UV rays. Applying a high SPF is an important part of your daily skincare routine.
During a study in 2013 a group of people who suffer from Melasma. The study involved the participates to use a daily skincare routine of vitamin C and malic acid and monitored the effectiveness of these ingredients on their melasma. After 26 months of follow-up studies, both ingredients were determined to have short term benefits.
How To use Malic Acid and the Correct Dosage
For skincare products, such as cleansers, creams and others the level of malic acid is lower and diluted within the formulations and can be used daily for up to 60 days. Other conditions, such as fibromyalgia syndrome can be treated twice daily for 6 months by taking a product called super malic acid which is magnesium and malic combined.
The appropriate dosage for malic also depends a lot on how you are using the ingredient be it in supplement or topical. Other considerations would be your age, gender and medical history.
What Are the Side Effects of Malic Acid?
You will find that with some AHA there are some side effects to remember, here are the main ones that have been experienced when using malic acid.
Orally:
Headaches
Diarrohea
Nausea
Allergic reactions
Topically:
Itching
Redness
Increased sensitivity sun exposure
Introducing an AHA into your skincare routine is something that can’t be taken without consideration and of course a patch test. If you feel as though your skin will rejoice if you begin to use this AHA then by all means find the right dosage and product for you and your skin. If not, best to stick to the apples, and if they are in a pie, even better!
Are you wanting to find another AHA that will give your skin a healthy glow without too much to worry about why not check out our guide on hyaluronic acid.
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
