Benefits of Glycolic Acid in Skincare

Exfoliants like glycolic acid have found their way into your routines. We get toners, cleansers, serums, and face packs infused with glycolic acid without knowing everything this skin active has to offer us. So dive right in to understand glycolic acid benefits and everything it can do for your skincare.

Keynotes:

• Glycolic acid is a powerful AHA exfoliant that is derived from sugarcane.
• It gently exfoliates your skin by removing dead cells, promoting cell turnover, and boosting collagen production for a brighter, smoother complexion.
• Glycolic acid benefits the skin by reducing fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation while enhancing the absorption of other skincare products.
• Though effective, it should be introduced gradually, followed by sunscreen, and combined cautiously with other actives to prevent irritation.
• Glycolic acid can be used in various forms, including cleansers, toners, serums, and chemical peels, to achieve a radiant and even-toned appearance.

When it comes to exfoliation, glycolic acid (GA) is the gold standard. It is a type of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), which is a natural acid found in foods. Glycolic acid, specifically, comes from sugarcane and can help you exfoliate the top layers of dead cells on your skin without any scrubbing. Of all the AHAs, glycolic acid has the smallest molecular structure which allows it to penetrate deeper into the skin.

Glycolic acid benefits your skin by breaking down the bonds between your skin cells, making it easier to shed the outer layer of dead skin. It also boosts the activity of fibroblasts, the cells that help produce collagen to keep your skin firm. Glycolic acid for skin can be used in a number of formulations, from topical products to chemical peels administered by dermatologists.

Glycolic acid is often compared to other AHAs like lactic acid and mandelic acid, along with other beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) like salicylic acid. While all of these are categorised as exfoliants, they have different uses, benefits, and molecular sizes and suit different skin types. Here are some of the most common exfoliants and how they compare to glycolic acid benefits for the skin.

1. Glycolic Acid (AHA)

Molecular Size: The GA molecules have one of the smallest molecular sizes and can penetrate deeply into your skin, affecting both the epidermal and dermal layers of your skin.

Glycolic Acid uses for skin:

• Exfoliation: GA helps exfoliate and remove dead skin cells, giving you a smoother complexion. Glycolic acid benefits for skin also help you reduce hyperpigmentation, sun damage, and reveal a brighter skin tone.
• Anti-aging: Glycolic acid can enhance collagen production, making your skin look firm and reducing fine lines.
• Hydration: Using GA also helps you hydrate your skin. As a humectant, it stimulates molecules that draw water into the skin and also increases the presence of hyaluronic acid, giving your skin structure and elasticity.

Who should use it?

Anyone with normal to oily skin can use GA for exfoliation, anti-pigmentation, and anti-aging benefits. It penetrates deep into your skin and can lead to irritation, especially for sensitive skin types.

2. Lactic Acid (AHA)

Molecular Size: Lactic acid is also an AHA with a slightly larger molecular size than glycolic acid. This allows it to penetrate the skin more slowly and makes it a gentler exfoliant, ideal for sensitive or dry skin.

Lactic Acid Uses for Skin:

• Exfoliation: Like glycolic acid, lactic acid also gently removes dead skin cells to reduce any uneven texture or dullness. It also helps you fade dark spots and uneven skin tone.
• Hydration: Being a gentler ingredient, lactic acid is also a natural humectant and draws moisture into the skin. This also helps you strengthen the skin barrier and improve hydration levels.
• Skin cell turnover: The AHA helps you increase cell turnover and stimulates collagen production, making your skin look plumper and reducing fine lines.

Who should use it?

Lactic acid is suitable for dry, sensitive, or aging skin. Its gentle exfoliation and hydrating properties make it a great choice if you find glycolic acid too strong.

3. Mandelic Acid (AHA)

Molecular Size: Mandelic acid has a larger molecular size than glycolic and lactic acid, which means it penetrates the skin more slowly, making it one of the most gentle AHAs.

Mandelic Acid Uses for Skin:

• Exfoliation: Like all AHAs, mandelic acid also helps you remove dead skin cells without causing any irritation. It’s especially effective if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin.
• Acne Treatment: Mandelic acid also has antibacterial properties. This can help you control acne, reduce breakouts, and unclog pores.
• Brightening: The AHA helps you fade dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and melasma marks, giving you a more even skin tone.

Who should use it?

Mandelic acid is best for sensitive, acne-prone, or hyperpigmented skin. Its slow absorption makes it less likely to irritate the skin.

4. Salicylic Acid (BHA)

Molecular Size: Salicylic acid(SA) is a BHA or beta hydroxy acid that helps you regulate excess sebum and dead skin cells. While SA has a slightly larger molecular size than glycolic acid, it is oil-soluble. This allows it to go deep into your pores to remove excess sebum and impurities.

Salicylic Acid Uses for Skin:

• Deep Cleansing: With oil-soluble properties, salicylic acid works inside the pores to dissolve oil, dirt, and dead skin, preventing breakouts and blackheads.
• Anti-inflammatory: Salicylic acid helps you tone down any inflammation and redness, making it an effective treatment for acne-prone and oily skin.
• Improves Texture: The exfoliant helps you slough off any dead skin cells, promoting smoother skin and a more even complexion.

Who should use it?

Salicylic acid is best for oily, combination, and acne-prone skin. Those with dry or sensitive skin should use it sparingly to prevent irritation.

5. Polyhydroxy Acids (PHA)

Molecular Size: PHAs like gluconolactone, lactobionic acid, and galactose have the largest molecular size among chemical exfoliants. This allows the PHAs to penetrate your skin gently while mainly working on the surface of your skin. They are ideal for sensitive skin types.

PHA Uses for Skin:

• Exfoliation: Like other exfoliants, PHAs also gently remove dead skin cells without irritating, making it ideal for sensitive skin.
• Hydration: As a humectant, these exfoliants help your skin retain moisture and improve its barrier function.
• Antioxidant Protection: PHAs also give you anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits, helping you protect the skin from environmental stressors.

Who should use it?

PHAs are great for sensitive, dry, or mature skin or those with conditions like rosacea who need mild exfoliation without irritation.

While different exfoliants cater to different skin types and concerns, glycolic acid helps you properly exfoliate your skin without irritating it. If you’re looking for anti-aging, anti-pigmentation, and hydration benefits all at once, GA is your answer.

1. Promotes Cell Turnover for a Brighter Complexion

One of the major glycolic acid uses for the skin is to increase cell turnover. The AHA helps exfoliate dead skin cells and encourages the production of newer cells, giving you a bright, radiant, and even complexion. This process also helps you combat hyperpigmentation and reduces marks and blemishes left behind by acne and other scarring.

2. Reduces Fine Lines and Wrinkles

A primary glycolic acid benefit is that it promotes collagen production. Collagen is important for maintaining and improving the elasticity of your skin while reducing fine lines and wrinkles. By promoting collagen, GA helps your skin look firmer, younger, and smoother.

3. Improves Skin Texture and Smoothness

Glycolic acid benefits for skin help you remove dry, dead cells without excessive scrubbing. This helps you reveal a smoother skin beneath while taking care of any ashy, rough patches. Stimulating hyaluronic acid is another one of glycolic acid uses for skin. This also helps you maintain plumped and even skin.

4. Fights Acne and Prevents Breakouts

Another glycolic acid benefit for your face is preventing clogged pores. The exfoliant removes dead cells and excess sebum, keeping them from clogging your skin. It also has antibacterial properties, making it an effective treatment for mild to moderate acne.

5. Enhances Product Absorption

Using glycolic acid for skin helps you get rid of any dead skin buildup. It removes any dead skin buildup and helps your serums and active ingredients to penetrate the skin better, making your antioxidants, retinoids, and depigmentation agents more effective.

While there are countless upsides to using glycolic acid for skin, there are a few precautions we all should follow. Using the wrong concentrations or quantities can have damaging effects on your skin that overshadow the glycolic acid benefits. Here’s all you need to know:

Start Slow: Patch Test First

As with all new skincare products, it’s crucial to start with a patch test when it comes to glycolic acid. Apply a small amount of the product on your upper forearm and wait for a day to observe any aftereffects.

Follow Up with Sunscreen

As an exfoliator, GA makes the upper layer of your skin sensitive. This can make your face more prone to sun damage, like photoaging and pigmentation. Make sure you’re following glycolic acid with a strong SPF 50+ sunscreen.

We recommend: Sun Face Hydro Protect Ultra Light Fluid SPF 50+

Combining Glycolic Acid with Other Ingredients

It’s always wise to consult your dermatologist before combining glycolic acid benefits with other skin actives. Stick to stable and gentle ingredients like Thaimidol and always start with patch tests.

We recommend: Anti-Pigment Dual Serum

Use GA-infused products

If you’re still uncertain about glycolic acid’s benefits for the skin, you can simply start with AHA/GA-infused products before getting any concentrated serums. Cleansing gels and toners are always a good place to start as they feature comparatively mild concentrations.

Now that you know all the glycolic acid uses for your skin, it’s time to build your own regimen. Understand the different benefits of this exfoliant and add them into your daily skin regimen for brighter, more even skin.

1. What does glycolic acid do for your face?

   Glycolic acid for skin helps you gently exfoliate dead skin cells, boosts collagen production, delivers an even skin texture, reduces pigmentation, and also improves the absorption of your other skincare products.

2. Can you use glycolic acid every day?

   You can use a mild concentration of glycolic acid every day in the form of cleansers, toners, or mild serums. It’s vital to consult your dermatologist before adding topical GA to your regimen.

3. Is glycolic acid good for hyperpigmentation?

   Yes. Glycolic acid benefits help fade hyperpigmentation. You can use the AHA topically or in clinically administered chemical peels.

4. Is glycolic acid better than vitamin C?

   Glycolic acid and vitamin C have different functions. Glycolic acid is a chemical exfoliant that helps you remove dead skin cells, while vitamin C is an antioxidant that combats oxidative stress. Both skin actives tackle signs of aging and pigmentation in different ways.

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