Exfoliants that dissolve the bonds between skin cells are which of the following?

• A. Beta hydroxy acids
• B. Enzymes
• C. Polyhydroxy acids
• D. Alpha hydroxy acids

Answer: (D)

Exfoliation that targets the bonds holding surface skin cells together is achieved by alpha hydroxy acids. These acids loosen the desmosomes, the connections between corneocytes in the outermost layer, so the topmost cells shed more readily and the skin becomes smoother and brighter.

Beta hydroxy acids, on the other hand, are oil-loving and mostly work within pores to exfoliate inside follicles. Polyhydroxy acids are gentler, providing milder exfoliation with more hydration. Enzymes exfoliate by digesting proteins like keratin, which helps remove some dead cells but not primarily by breaking the cell-to-cell bonds on the skin’s surface in the same way alpha hydroxy acids do.