Glycolic Acid: What It Is and How To Use It

Sugarcane and wholesome, lovely pores and skin—what might these two probably have in frequent? Seems, this plant doesn’t simply sweeten issues up, it additionally brings us dermatologist-favorite skincare ingredient glycolic acid.

A natural-origin powerhouse, glycolic acid in skincare is understood for its brightening, smoothing, and unifying qualities. Be part of us as we discover what makes it so particular, the numerous advantages of glycolic acid, and how one can use it safely and successfully in your routine.

The journey to radiant pores and skin begins now—prepared to come back alongside?

THE BASICS

GLYCOLIC ACID 
WHAT IT IS: An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) derived from sugarcane.
WHAT IT DOES: This exfoliant helps assist pores and skin turnover, enhance texture, add brightness, and stability out oil ranges.
WHO IT'S FOR: Relying on the focus, glycolic acid could be light sufficient for all pores and skin varieties. Nevertheless it's greatest to start out gradual and seek the advice of your dermatologist.
HOW TO USE IT: Use it at night time on clear, dry pores and skin through serum, cream or gel formulation.
GOES WELL WITH: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, bakuchiol
DON’T MIX WITH: House out the usage of vitamin C merchandise (go for vitamin C within the morning and glycolic acid at night time). As for retinal, take into account alternating nights utilizing the pores and skin biking methodology.
TRY IT IN: Glicoisdin®

What’s glycolic acid?

Amongst all AHAs, glycolic acid is likely one of the hottest—and for good purpose. With the smallest molecular measurement of its group, it could possibly simply sink into your pores and skin and ship highly effective results.

How glycolic acid works

• As an exfoliant: It really works on the stratum corneum, the pores and skin’s outermost layer, to loosen and dissolve bonds between lifeless cells. Exfoliation with glycolic acid promotes light renewal to disclose a contemporary, renewed complexion.
• As a pores and skin renewer: Science exhibits that glycolic acid helps pores and skin’s collagen matrix, serving to to easy the look of tremendous traces and wrinkles. The end result? Agency, uniform pores and skin.
• As a brightener: By enhancing pores and skin turnover, it helps fade darkish spots, cut back dullness, and enhance total tone—even supporting oilier pores and skin varieties vulnerable to breakouts.

Even higher? This multitasker can supply the entire above without delay. Glycolic acid is customizable—utilizing greater or decrease concentrations will help you deal with one pores and skin profit or a number of.

What focus of glycolic acid is best for you?

Totally different percentages of free glycolic acid can present completely different outcomes—from light chemical exfoliation to extra intensive resurfacing. Listed here are the specifics:

Gentle concentrations

Formulation with lower than 4% glycolic acid are nice for rookies or these with dry or delicate pores and skin. They assist to extend hydration, softness, and luminosity with minimal irritation danger.

Reasonable to intense concentrations

Increased concentrations can supply extra dramatic seen enhancements. However keep in mind to extend steadily to assist your pores and skin barrier.

8–10% glycolic acid: Finest for knowledgeable AHA customers who need to assist cut back the looks of getting older, discoloration, and pores.

4–8% glycolic acid: A average energy superb for renewing pores and skin texture and focusing on uneven tone.

How one can introduce glycolic acid into your skincare routine

Questioning how one can use glycolic acid whereas minimizing discomfort? No matter your pores and skin kind or skincare objectives, it’s all the time greatest to begin low and gradual. As your pores and skin will get used to glycolic acid, you possibly can go for the next focus (if wanted).

Irrespective of the place you start, the hot button is consistency, stability, and solar safety. Following these three ideas, you possibly can really feel assured in including glycolic acid to your nighttime skincare routine with ease:

1. Begin with a clear base

At all times apply glycolic acid to wash, dry pores and skin. A mild oil-to-milk cleanser helps clear away grime and make-up whereas retaining pores and skin hydrated—the proper prep for actives.

2. Be conscious when mixing

Though it may be light sufficient for delicate pores and skin, glycolic acid remains to be an acid. And as with all different ingredient, some mixtures are higher to keep away from.

A easy rule? Pass over different merchandise that includes robust acids, similar to salicylic or lactic acid. Relating to retinoids, alternate evenings for greatest outcomes.

By way of simple allies, merchandise with hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, or vitamin E will help hold pores and skin feeling calm and moisturized.

3. Use at night time—with sunscreen the subsequent day

Excessive SPF sunscreen is important in any routine, whether or not it contains exfoliation or not. Nonetheless, it’s all of the extra vital when utilizing glycolic acid since it could possibly make your pores and skin extra delicate to the solar’s rays.

At all times apply a broad spectrum sunscreen the subsequent morning (and reapply as wanted) to assist defend in opposition to solar harm, darkish spots, and uneven tone—retaining that wholesome glow.

Your questions answered

Can glycolic acid harm the pores and skin?

Not when used appropriately. On the proper concentrations and frequencies, glycolic acid is a perfect ingredient—however overdoing it or utilizing too excessive a focus can result in dryness or irritation.

In case you begin gradual, examine in together with your dermatologist commonly, and use sunscreen day by day, try to be all set.

Who’s it appropriate for?

Glycolic acid is a good friend to all pores and skin varieties (when utilized in the correct amount). Search for custom-made formulation focused in direction of your pores and skin kind and wishes.

For delicate pores and skin, light glycolic acid merchandise that includes vitamin E will help to appease and shield. With extra intense merchandise, search for formulation together with aloe vera to assist calm the results of upper acid concentrations.

How usually ought to I exploit glycolic acid?

It depends upon the energy of the components and your pores and skin’s tolerance. Begin with 2–3 occasions per week at night time, and construct up as wanted. Hearken to your pores and skin and seek the advice of an knowledgeable when unsure.

Is glycolic acid or retinal higher?

Each are nice selections relying in your pores and skin objectives. Glycolic acid smoothes and brightens whereas retinal (a vitamin A spinoff) works onerous to enhance firmness and tremendous traces. The excellent news? You need to use each, however alternating days is greatest to keep away from going overboard.

Love the pores and skin you’re in

Whether or not you’re exfoliating, brightening, or just constructing your routine with care—glycolic acid is a robust instrument to assist your pores and skin’s pure renewal.

And keep in mind: your skincare journey is uniquely yours. Be light together with your pores and skin. Give it time, nourishment, and the eye it deserves. It’s not about perfection—it’s about feeling good.

As a result of on the finish of the day, comfortable, wholesome pores and skin is gorgeous pores and skin.

Amy is a content material strategist who turned a part-time obsession with skincare right into a full-time ardour. Her expertise as a artistic storyteller features a vary of way of life and expertise subjects throughout Washington D.C. and Barcelona. What’s in her journey bag? Eye contour cream and sunscreen, all the time.