PHAs mistakes to avoid

Before blaming PHAs, look at how it is used. Here are the usual culprits.

The most common mistakes

Mistake number one is believing that it is too mild to see a result. In reality gentle and steady often beats aggressive and intermittent.

Normal sensation: barely any tingle. Lasting sting, flaking or redness is not normal. Still use SPF next morning.

Pause PHAs for a week. Use only cleanser, moisturizer and SPF, then restart at half the frequency.

Expect four to eight weeks once the routine is stable.

The same ingredient behaves differently on different skin, so adapt the schedule rather than the product.

Here is how PHAs could slot into a simple day, given that it is best used evening.

Write down one line per week. Skin changes slowly, and notes beat memory.

Starting too fast. Two to three nights per week is a safer opening.

Pause, hydrate and reintroduce slowly.

Mild tingling that fades quickly is common; lasting sting means reduce frequency.

Not quite: gentle and steady often beats aggressive and intermittent.