menu
|
|
AFAs versus AHAs..... |
AFAs are Potent
Antioxidants Compared to AHAs
AHAs
(alpha hydroxy acids) such as Glycolic Acid AHAs are generally viewed as
exfoliants, although they have some antioxidant qualities due to single carboxyl
group that is part of their molecular structure. The carboxyl group has the
positively charged hydrogen ion that has the ability to combine with the singlet
oxygen that is responsible for the damaging oxidation of the skin. AFAs are
Tri-carboxylics; they have three carboxyl groups rather than the single group of
the AHAs, and thus have three fold the anti-oxidant qualities. We feel that this
may account for the dramatically enhanced anti-oxidative effects of AFAs
compared to other cosmeceuticals.
AFAs
Have Little Irritation Compared to AHAs
There is little irritation with the AFA Gels, even when compared to neutralized
AHAs. This may be due to the effect of the amino group that is retained in the
AFA molecule, which might modify the causticity of the AFAs without changing the
overall pH of the molecule. The addition of purines to the AFA Gels also serves
to attenuate any potential irritation or causticity.
