If applying something caustic-sounding to your face gives you a little pause, know this: skin-care acids are some of the most versatile and hardworking ingredients in the complexion playbook. They have the power to zap zits, blast away brown spots, Magic Eraser away fine lines, plus deliver intense hydration and/or a healthy glow—almost instantaneously. By whisking away dead cells from your skin’s surface, acids also clear the way for active ingredients to do their thing; essentially, they help other products perform better. Here, a primer on alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), polyhydroxy acids (PHAs), and hyaluronic acid (HA)—plus, our favorites of each to shop now.

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