In your 20s, your skin cells regenerate every 27 days. But things change, and your skin regenerates slowly as you grow older, causing the dead skin cells to accumulate. Dead skin cells clog the pores, cause breakouts, give you a dull look, and even cause your skin to look rough and textured.
This is why exfoliation should be on top of your skincare to-do list. Glycolic acid is a chemical exfoliant that delivers fantastic benefits when you properly incorporate it into your skincare regimen.
So what does it do? How can you use it safely? Are there any side effects to using glycolic acid? Keep on reading to find the answer to your questions.
What is Glycolic Acid?
This is an alpha-hydroxy acid known as AHA, which removes layers of dead skin cells by weakening the bonds between them. Glycolic acid is made of sugar cane and has a low molecular weight that allows it to gently exfoliate the skin without causing any irritation when appropriately used. As you apply glycolic acid, it penetrates through the layers of the skin, removing the dead skin cells that your body is no longer able to get rid of naturally.
Babies always have bright and smooth skin because their cells generate quickly. As we grow older, our cell regeneration rates start to slow down. This causes layers of dead skin cells to accumulate on top of our skin.
There are two types of exfoliation that you can use to get rid of the accumulated dead skin cells; physical and chemical exfoliation. Physical exfoliation involves using scrubs that contain rough-textured beads that rub against the skin and remove the dead cells.
However, physical exfoliation can be too irritating and might cause tiny tears that later lead to inflammation. This is why chemical exfoliation is a safer option. It works gradually and feels gentler on your skin. Using a gentle exfoliating acid like glycolic acid is perfect if you have acne, rosacea, or eczema.
What are the Benefits of Glycolic Acid?
There are several chemical exfoliants available, like lactic and salicylic acid, but glycolic acid offers several benefits that make it suitable for all types of skin, including acne-prone and sensitive skin.
- Glycolic acid is a humectant that attracts water molecules. This means that using it regularly will help hydrate dry skin. You need to apply a thick moisturizer on top of your glycolic acid to lock in the moisture.
- It brightens the skin and helps reduce the effects of sun damage. By removing the top layer of the skin, which is the most damaged layer, a new fresh skin layer is revealed, which is less pigmented. Using glycolic acid regularly is a potent way of getting rid of freckles, sun spots, and age spots.
- Glycolic acid is keratolytic that breaks the bonds between dead skin cells. These cells sit on top of your skin, clogging the pores and preventing your skin from breathing. The clogged pores get filled with debris and oil and later lead to the formation of acne, whiteheads, and blackheads. Glycolic acid cleans the pores gently without irritating your inflamed skin to reduce acne breakouts.
- It reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Fine lines and wrinkles happen because of our skin’s inability to rejuvenate fast enough, which is a natural result of the aging process. While it doesn’t completely erase the lines on your skin, glycolic acid flattens the skin surface by removing dead cells and keeps the skin hydrated, thus reducing the appearance of lines.
- Glycolic acid helps your other skincare products to penetrate better, thus increasing their efficiency. By removing dead skin cells, the new cells will be exposed, so they will receive the benefits of your moisturizer, serum, or any other treatment that you choose to apply.
How to Apply Glycolic Acid Properly?
Glycolic acid is available in several forms, including peels, gels, creams, serums, lotions, and cleansers. It’s a great exfoliant, but you should apply it properly to avoid any side effects.
- Always start with a lower concentration and work your way up. With glycolic acid and other types of chemical exfoliants, less is always more.
- Apply glycolic acid serum once a week and work your way up to 2 or 3 times maximum if you’re using a low-concentration serum. For a peel, apply the acid every 2 or 3 weeks once your skin gets used to it.
- Medium and deep acid peels should be done at the doctor’s office. There’s some downtime, and your skin will look irritated for a few days. At home, you should only use low-concentration products. Use a 5% to 10% concentration glycolic acid serum or a 20% peel that needs to be washed off after a few minutes.
- Do a patch test to make sure that you’re not allergic.
- Always clean and dry your face before applying glycolic acid. Damp skin is more permeable than dry skin, allowing the acid to penetrate deeper, so it might cause irritation or sensitivity.
- Use glycolic acid in the evening because it increases sun sensitivity. In the morning, wear sunscreen to protect your skin from potential sun damage.
What Are the Best Glycolic Acid Products On the Market?
Stick to one glycolic acid product in your skincare routine. You don’t want to use a facial wash, serum, and toner that all contain glycolic acid because they can be too harsh on your skin. Here are some of the best products that you can use.
1. Luxiny Glycolic Acid Face Wash Exfoliating Cleanser & Pore Minimizer
This is a gentle facial wash that encourages new cell growth, gets rid of dull skin, and helps make your skin look more supple. In addition to glycolic acid, it contains seaweed extract, which is rich in antioxidants, tea tree oil to regulate oil production, and jojoba seed oil to soothe inflamed skin.
Using this facial wash will help fight dark spots, smooth out the appearance of fine lines, and control acne. It’s gentle enough to be used every day.
2. The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
This 7% toner should be gradually incorporated into your skincare regimen to help get rid of dead skin cells and reveal new skin. Using it regularly will give you a natural glow and reduce the appearance of fine lines. It also controls acne.
Once your skin gets used to it, you can use this toner every day. It helps with skin texture and keeps your skin hydrated, so it’s an amazing product for dry skin.
3. Bloomy 30% Glycolic Acid Pads
These pads are soaked in 30% glycolic acid to be used as monthly or bi-monthly treatments. You can use a pad all over your face and rinse it to reveal clean and healthy skin that glows from within.
The pads are soaked in other ingredients like green tea, which reduces inflammation, and vitamin E, which refreshes the skin. This peel is gentle enough to be used on dark complexions that are more prone to hyperpigmentation.
Wrap Up
Glycolic acid is an excellent addition to your skincare routine if you know how to use it. Start with a low concentration, and use it only in the evening to enjoy the look of healthy, supple skin.
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