Finding the best skincare routine for your skin type can be difficult – especially if you have acne-prone skin. From retinols to exfoliating acids, many active ingredients are touted for giving clear complexion results, but figuring out what actually works for you can be time-consuming and expensive.

Not to mention that experimenting with a load of different skincare ingredients can also disrupt your skin barrier and lead to irritation – something no one wants. But if you find that your skin is a little reactive and tends to dry out or become easily sensitised by skincare products, LHAs might be just what you’re looking for.

While you’ve probably heard of alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acids before – lipohydroxy acids are a bit of a new kid on the block in the skincare world. These gentle exfoliators are brilliant for acne-prone skin while offering hydration at the same time. So we asked Dermoi skincare expert and chief scientific officer Eve Casha to explain everything you need to know about LHAs – plus the best formulas you might want to add to your skincare routine.

Here’s why you should be using lipohydroxy acids if you’ve got acne-prone skin