Tag: Chemical exfoliants

The use of exfoliating acids dates back to ancient Egypt, where Cleopatra reportedly bathed in sour milk (a source of lactic acid) for smoother skin. Today, alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) are staples in modern skincare, but their journey from natural sources to cosmetic formulas is a complex one, involving careful extraction and, more often than not, synthetic production.

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA), a synthetic antioxidant found in food and cosmetics, has been classified by the National Toxicology Program as "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen". This raises serious questions about the product, leading many to ask, "Should I avoid BHA?"