Skin Care Hub

Considering the questionable safety status, FDA and dermatologists advise consumers who use AHA products to follow these precautions:

• Always protect your skin before going out during the day. Use a sunscreen product with an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of at least 15. Wear a hat with a brim of at least 4 inches (about 10 centimeters). Cover up with lightweight, loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants.
• Buy products with adequate label information: for example, a list of ingredients to see which AHA or other chemical acids are in the product; the name and address of the manufacturer or distributor, which can serve as the contact if a problem or question arises; and a statement about the product’s AHA concentration and pH level. The first two pieces of information are mandatory; the third is optional. Consumers can call or write the manufacturer, however, to get information about a product’s AHA concentration and pH level.
• Buy only products that comply with the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Panel’s 1997 recommendations–that is, products with an AHA concentration of 10 percent or less and a pH of 3.5 or greater.
• Do a skin-sensitivity test on a patch of skin if you are a first-time user of any AHA product or are using a different brand or a product with a different concentration or pH than you are used to.
• Stop using the product immediately if you experience adverse reactions. Signs of adverse reactions include stinging, redness, itching, burning, pain, and bleeding or change in sun sensitivity. Even mild irritation is a sign that the product is causing damage, FDA’s Bailey says, despite what the manufacturer may indicate on the product label. “Cosmetics shouldn’t sting or cause irritation,” he says.

If you have an adverse reaction, see a dermatologist. A dermatologist can tell you whether an adverse reaction is from the product or is an indication of an underlying disease, such as skin cancer. Dermatologists also can recommend appropriate skin-care products, and they will report your case, keeping your name confidential, to FDA’s adverse reaction monitoring program.

Source: FDA’s Office of Cosmetics and Colors