Glycolic Acid & Lactic Acid. These two natural acids are also known as Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA). They are biologically occurring acids, obtained from sugars in certain plants or in milk. Some examples are Citric Acid (Citrus Fruits), Lactic Acid (Milk), Glycolic Acid (Sugar Cane), Tartaric Acid (Grapes), Malic Acid (Apples), and Mandelic Acid (Bitter Almonds). These acids work at the very base of the stratum corneum, dissolving the cement that maintains dead skin cells together. This allows for an elevation in cell turnover and influences the structure of new stratum corneum being made.

Salicylic acid acts from the uppermost layer of the skin, dissolving skin layer by layer. Salicylic acid is the chemical composite with the formula C6H4(OH)CO2H, where the OH group is adjacent to the carboxylic acid group. This colorless transparent organic acid is widely used in organic synthesis and acts as a vegetal hormone. It is probably best known as a composite that is chemically similar but not identical to the active component of aspirin. The name derives from the latin word for the willow tree (Salix), from whose bark it can be extracted.

Commonly known as beta hydroxy acid (compare to AHA), salicylic acid is the key additive in many skin-care solutions for the treatment of stretch marks, keratosis pilaris, corns, callouses, acne, psoriasis and warts. It heals acne by causing skin cells to slough off more readily, preventing pores from clogging up. This action on skin cells also makes salicylic acid an active ingredient in several shampoos meant to eliminate dandruff. Use of straight salicylic solution may leave hyperpigmentation on unpretreated skin for people with darker skin types (Fitzpatrick phototypes IV, V, VI), just like the lack of use of a broad spectrum sunblock.

Facial cleansers also contain Camphor. This is a biological compound extracted from wood of the camphor laurel (Cinnamonum camphora), a huge evergreen tree found in Asia (specially in Borneo) and some other similar trees in the laurel family, notably Ocotea usambarensis. Camphor is readily assimilated through the skin and gives a feeling of cooling comparable to that of menthol and works as mild local anesthesic and antibiotical substance.

Cleansers also contain a little Phenol, which is a natural chemical with the formula C6H5OH. Its structure is that of a hydroxyl group (-OH) linked to a phenyl ring; it is thus an aromatic compound. It has antibiotic and anesthesic properties.

When an alpha-beta facial cleanser is used to clean oily skin the result is a more flexible, smoother skin, and a more even skin color.