Glycolic acid is an ingredient renowned for its anti-aging properties and can be found in many skincare products. So, if your aim is a youthful, fresh, and smooth complexion, it is probably the time to give it a try!
What is glycolic acid?
Glycolic acid is part of the alpha-hydroxy acids’ category. Basically, it is a fruit-derived acid. Dermatologists and skincare therapists have been using it for years in anti-aging therapies and to treat pigmentation spots and post-acne scars. Glycolic acid exfoliates the skin eliminating dead cells and promoting cellular renewal. Hence it confers a glowing, rejuvenated, and visibly smoother skin. The main benefit of using glycolic acid to treat different skin conditions is that it is suitable for all skin types, including dry skin. It has a gentle action, compared to other kinds of acids that can trigger skin sensitivities and irritation. If you suffer from rosacea or you have highly reactive skin, you should, however, try skincare products with a small percentage of glycolic acid, just to stay on the safe side. As glycolic acid promotes natural exfoliation and prevents the signs of aging, you can use it even if you don’t have particular skin concerns, just for prevention purposes.
Glycolic acid – your ally against acne
Nowadays, people of different ages are confronted with acne. To treat acne, as well as the marks left behind by it, a popular option is the combination of glycolic acid with salicylic acid. Glycolic acid eliminates the dead skin cells, while salicylic acid cleanses the pores.
How to use glycolic acid?
If you are in your 30s, you might notice that there are new skin conditions that start to occur, such as fine lines. Acne can also occur at this age due to hormonal fluctuations. With the latest developments at the level of the face, you might discover that the products you use are no longer delivering results. Now it’s a good time to try skincare products with ingredients such as glycolic acid. A powerful exfoliant, glycolic acid, can be found on the ingredients’ list of anti-aging products.
The recommendation is to use a skincare product with glycolic acid in the morning, applied on clean skin. This could be a serum or a moisturizing cream. Make sure to follow up on the beauty ritual with an SPF cream or lotion.
Because glycolic acid is a rather powerful exfoliator, it is recommended not to combine it with products with active ingredients such as retinol or different types of alpha-hydroxy acids as this might lead to excessive dryness and irritation. If you are using other retinol-based skincare products, you can alternate the days – one day, you can apply glycolic acid and the next, the retinol product. However, consistency is the key to a great skincare routine, so keep this in mind when shopping for skincare products.
Skincare products with glycolic acid are well tolerated by sensitive skin as long as sunscreen protection is used throughout the treatment. Applying a high SPF cream is essential if you want to avoid getting pigmentation spots during your glycolic acid treatment.
You will find glycolic acid in different types of skincare products – creams, serums, face masks, etc. These products usually have a maximum concentration of 10% glycolic acid. However, there are other skincare products designed for chemical peeling that can reach a much higher concentration of glycolic acid. These products are usually used by dermatologists and skin therapists and are not safe to try at home.
If you are just starting to get to know glycolic acid skincare products better, here are a few recommendations that are safe to try at home and deliver impressive results:
1. Pelactiv Oil-Free Balancing Serum
We have already mentioned the benefits of combining glycolic acid with salicylic acid when it comes to treating acne and acne scars. The Pelactiv Oil-Free Balancing Serum combines the two acids and also citric acid for an even more powerful cleansing effect. The serum is excellent for oily and combination skin, as well as acne-prone skin. It helps reduce breakouts but also heals the skin by balancing the oil flow and promoting cellular renewal. Aside from the acids we mentioned before, this serum also has Native Kaputa Extract, well known for its antibacterial properties.
2. Thalgo Absolute Radiance Concentrate
The set contains seven vials of 1.2 ml concentrate. With an exquisite scent of tea and fresh flowers, this concentrate is great for dull-looking skin, but also to correct fine lines. It hydrates the skin while also giving it an amazing glow. Use one vial at a time for instantly radiant skin. The active ingredients’ list starts with a powerful acid trio – glycolic acid, malic acid, and citric acid – that exfoliates the skin to reveal the glow. Hesperidin and Lumisource, other active ingredients in this concentrate, boost skin oxygenation for a brighter complexion. Another active ingredient – menthol provides the feeling of freshness.
3. Alpha-H Micro Cleanse Super Scrub
When they named this product the super scrub, they were not kidding! With 12% glycolic acid, the Alpha-H Micro Cleanse Super Scrub is an exfoliant that removes dead skin cells to reveal the beauty of your skin. The other ingredients on the list are just as impressive – caffeine extract (locally sourced in Queensland), jojoba oil, and cucumber extract. The super scrub promises radiant, firmer skin.
4. Thalgo Biodepyl Targets Ingrown Hairs
If you’ve been struggling with ingrown hairs, this is an excellent product for you to try. Thalgo Biodepyl has been created to reduce and eliminate the occurrence of ingrown hairs after depilation. The peeling effect provided by the glycolic acid promotes the release of the hair, while the Aloe Vera extract adds to the softness to the skin.
Photo by Christopher Campbell on Unsplash