Benefits of Glycolic Acid in Skincare

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Today I’ll be discussing about the benefits of glycolic acid and how it might help in doing wonders for the skin.

What is glycolic acid?

Glycolic acid is an alpha hydoxy acid (AHA) which is a carbon containing molecule. Among the AHA family glycolic acid have the lowest molecular weight which helps the molecules to penetrate deep into the skin. Glycolic acid is soluble in water and usually used in the form of toner, essence or serums. It requires a low pH level to work properly. It also helps in increasing collagen production but this kind of effect is usually seen in cases where glycolic acid has been used for months or years.

What are the other Alpha Hydroxy Acids ?

The other AHA’s are- Lactic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Mandelic Acid, Citric Acid.

What are the benefits of using glycolic acid?

The major benefits of glycolic acid are-

·         It helps in minimizing pores.

·         Dissolves the dead skin layer and helps in giving a radiant complexion.

·         Removes dullness from your skin.

·         Give a nice glow.

·         Glycolic acid helps in separating the keratinocytes without any rough or mechanical abrasion on the skin.

·         It is very good for anti-aging

·         In some cases it works very well for acne prone skin and reducing the acne marks.

·         Reduces fine lines and wrinkles.

·         Gives an even tone to the skin.

Now a day’s glycolic acids are used a lot in the skincare industry such as in face wash, toners, serums, face masks etc. It is very important to know the percentage of glycolic acid used in the products in order to know whether the particular composition will work or not.

Glycolic acid works immediately because it is the smallest alpha hydroxy acid which helps in its deep penetration in the skin. When you intend to use any glycolic acid product in your skincare routine make sure you use only up to 10%. If you have dry or sensitive skin, go for a 5% or less concentrations for glycolic acid.

For higher concentrations go to your dermatologist as using a higher percentage of glycolic acid at home if not used correctly and not neutralized properly can lead to hyper pigmentation, blisters and scarring.

People generally don’t experience a side effect while using glycolic acid on their skin but people with excessive dry or sensitive skin must do a patch test before its usage at it might result in severe irritation of the skin.

Whenever you use any glycolic acid product in your skincare routine make sure that you use it only at night. Glycolic acid can make your skin really sensitive to the ultraviolet rays (UV Rays) from the sun, so it’s important to use a broad spectrum sunscreen during the day time to avoid irritation or pigmentation on the skin.

Ingredients you should never pair with glycolic acids-

·         Vitamin C- as both works at different pH levels and they might prove harsh if used together on your skin. Always try to use them separately in order to get maximum effects.

·         Retinol- this combination may prove really harsh to the skin leading to excessive irritation resulting in more harm than benefit.

Note- If you experience any sort of redness, sloughing of skin, small bumps or burning sensation while using any glycolic acid product immediately stop using it, wash the affected area with water and consult your dermatologist for the same.

Hope you found this article useful

Take care 😇

Stay safe.

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