When I began formulating skincare, I didn’t start with marketing trends or what was “popular.” I started with skin science because I built Kenzako from my own experience with texture, pigmentation, stretch marks, acne scars, dullness and uneven tone.
And the ingredient category that changed everything for me and eventually shaped our AHA Body Reset Scrub is Alpha Hydroxy Acids, better known as AHAs.
Today, AHAs are recognised globally as some of the most effective anti-ageing and skin-renewing ingredients available. They’ve been professionally studied for over 40 years, used in dermatology, and loved by skincare experts for their ability to deeply resurface and renew the skin.
If you’ve ever wondered why AHAs are everywhere or whether they’re right for your body or face, this deep dive is for you.
The Story Begins With Skin Ageing
Skin ageing doesn’t start suddenly at thirty or forty it begins at birth and quietly continues for our entire lifetime. Beneath the surface, every layer of the skin slowly evolves. The epidermis, which is the skin’s outer protective shield, naturally becomes thinner as we age, while the stratum corneum, the very top layer of the epidermis, becomes thicker and rougher.
This thinning and hardening creates what we see and feel as “ageing skin”: roughness, dullness, dryness, textural changes, pigmentation, loss of radiance and, eventually, lines and wrinkles. It’s not just about how we look; ageing impacts hydration, barrier strength, elasticity, collagen structure and the way skin responds to sunlight and stress.
This is where modern anti-ageing science comes in. We no longer see skincare as simply moisturising or cleansing. Today’s advancements focus on skin renewal at a cellular level and AHAs have become leaders in this space.
So, What Exactly Are AHAs?
Alpha Hydroxy Acids, often called fruit acids, are naturally occurring exfoliating compounds found in sugar cane, citrus fruits, milk, apples and grapes. They’ve been used professionally in dermatology for more than forty years. Originally, they were introduced to treat disorders associated with thickened skin, scarring and pigmentation.
But what made AHAs famous and why they exploded into mainstream skincare is their ability to rejuvenate ageing skin, improve uneven texture and encourage powerful cellular renewal. Clinical studies have repeatedly shown that AHAs can soften fine lines, increase smoothness, improve skin tone, fade pigmentation and dramatically enhance hydration.
Unlike physical scrubs, which simply buff the outer surface, AHAs work deeper. They gently break down the bonds that hold dead cells to the skin, encouraging fresh, bright, healthy cells to rise to the surface.
That process reveals skin that is softer, smoother, more uniform in colour and more responsive to hydration.
AHAs vs BHAs and Why That Matters
Many people ask about the difference between AHAs and BHAs. Both are part of the hydroxy acid family, but they behave differently. AHAs are water-soluble, working on the skin’s surface layers to treat dryness, pigmentation, texture and dullness. BHAs, like salicylic acid, are oil-soluble and travel inside pores, making them ideal for oily, acne-prone skin.
Both are effective, but AHAs have become the foundation of body resurfacing because body skin is thicker and often drier, which means surface-based exfoliation has exceptional impact.
Why I Chose AHAs for Kenzako Formulation Work
When formulating Kenzako’s AHA Body Reset Scrub, I didn’t want a basic salt scrub. I didn’t want another coarse, drying exfoliant that made skin feel stripped or tight. I wanted true skin renewal – something that could smooth keratosis pilaris, soften stretch marks, reduce body acne scarring, improve uneven tone and give that glowing, radiant finish people spend years chasing.
AHAs made that possible.
The science behind them matched exactly what I wanted to achieve:
surface resurfacing, deep hydration, increased cell turnover and a brighter, smoother skin finish without compromise.
But more importantly, AHAs allow people to feel their results. The first time someone uses a high-quality AHA formula, there’s an unmistakable “wow” moment: skin feels silkier, looks brighter, and texture begins to shift. Skin confidence grows. That emotional transformation matters to me just as much as the physical change.
Why Glycolic Acid is the AHA Superstar
Glycolic Acid is the smallest and most active AHA molecule. Its tiny size allows it to penetrate deeper than lactic or mandelic acid, making it extremely effective in helping to fade pigmentation and resurface texture.
Clinical concentrations of glycolic acid between 10–15% are used in facial peels to soften wrinkles, treat sun damage and reduce age spots, and that same science translates beautifully into body care when carefully balanced with oils and hydrators.
The key word is carefully. Too many acid products ignore the barrier and do more harm than good. At Kenzako, everything is formulated to be effective, but never damaging.
The Sensitivity Question
Yes, AHAs are active. They can create a mild tingling sensation. They can cause warmth. Very sensitive skin may need to ease in slowly. But the long-term benefits consistently outweigh these temporary sensations.
What matters is a balanced formula one that pairs exfoliation with nourishment and barrier support. That philosophy is woven into every Kenzako product, especially the AHA Body Reset Scrub.
Why AHAs Belong in Body Care, Not Just Facial Skincare
Body skin is often ignored. We cleanse it and moisturise it, but we rarely treat it the same way we treat the face. Yet body skin suffers just as much: strawberry legs, ingrown hairs, KP bumps, blackheads, uneven tone, bacne marks, dullness and roughness are extremely common.
AHAs are incredibly effective at lifting keratin plugs, fading dark spots, smoothing bumps and revealing clearer, brighter skin on the body. They work beautifully on arms, thighs, chest, back and buttocks places where texture loves to hide.
This is why body exfoliation with acids has become one of the most exciting movements in modern skincare.
The Future of AHAs
Research continues to expand, with newer generations of AHAs being developed to support oily and sensitive skin types. Formulation direction is moving toward more lipophilic (oil-friendly) AHA structures, which will allow deeper, gentler penetration without irritation.
For the everyday skincare lover, the takeaway is simple: AHAs have moved beyond trend status. They are backed by decades of science, proven clinical outcomes, and thousands of real-world results. They are not going anywhere.
My Personal Belief as a Founder
I believe beautiful skin comes from consistency, nourishment, and science not perfection. AHAs allow us to remove what no longer serves the skin and make space for new, healthy cells to shine through.
They remind us that change is possible.
That texture is not forever.
That confidence is earned day by day.
When you feel your skin become smoother, clearer and more even, something shifts internally. You stand taller. You feel more connected to your body. You start treating your skin with love instead of frustration.
That is why AHAs sit at the heart of Kenzako not because they are trendy, but because they change lives.
