It really depends on your skin type, your tolerance, and your age. While glycolic acid can offer remarkable benefits, like brighter, smoother skin and reduced signs of aging, it's essential to use it wisely. Daily use might be suitable for some, but always start slowly and observe how your skin reacts.
Though gentle enough for everyday use, we generally recommend to exfoliate once or twice a week. Over-exfoliating can damage the skin barrier, which can lead to redness, irritation, or breakouts.
"As a leave-on treatment, I don't recommend using glycolic acid every day because it can cause excessive irritation," says Wnek. "Incorporate it slowly into your routine and work your way up to every other day or every two days, if tolerated."
Can glycolic acid be used on sensitive areas, such as the bikini line? It is best to avoid using on sensitive areas, as it can cause irritation and inflammation.
It works just as well on the body as it does on the face. When it comes to the skin below the neck, the AHA can be used to gently exfoliate and remove dead skin cells. “Think of it as raking the fallen leaves from your lawn in the autumn and allowing the ground beneath to 'breathe,'” Dr.
What NOT to mix with Glycolic Acid. Retinol, other AHAs/BHAs, Vitamin C: Using these ingredients alongside Glycolic Acid in the same routine could irritate the skin. However, alternating them between your morning and evening skincare routine means that you can enjoy the benefits without the risk of damaging your skin.
Glycolic acid's penetration can easily restore balance to your armpits, dislodging the bacteria breaking down your sweat, to create a fresh and odorless environment. It has worked wonders for people with a variety of skin types and has quickly become one of the hottest products on the market.
Lightening Inner Thighs – You know that little uncomfortable rub you get when you move your thighs around? Friction like these cause discoloration on your inner thighs. Since glycolic acid is excellent at sloughing dead skin cells away, it'll help lighten and brighten the area.
Everyday usage is acceptable while using a rinse-off product, like a cleanser with glycolic acid. But, while using a leave-on glycolic acid product (such as a serum, gel, cream, mask, or peel), one should only apply it one to three times per week.
“Those with darker skin tones, need to be cautious with glycolic acid,” warns Dr Buldeo. “It can cause a paradoxical darkening of the skin by stimulating melanocytes,” These are the melanin-producing cells in your skin's deepest layer so this can lead to hyperpigmentation in black skin.
If you do not face any skin reaction or irritation and want quick results, you can use 10% glycolic acid products 5 days a week. You can leave it on your face overnight and let it absorb into your skin. Wash it out the next day with water.
Meanwhile, Dr Praveen Bharadwaj adds, "Strawberry legs can only be reduced not cured as it's an ongoing process. Use of glycolic acid improves the condition by helping to unclog the hair follicles or hair pores." "Its use is not curative but one of the ways to maintain the condition.
However, as with all chemical exfoliants, using glycolic acid too frequently, at too high a concentration, or incorrectly can result in skin irritation or damage.
While glycolic acid can actually help prevent body odor in the underarms, it can also cause irritation. Still, glycolic acid can work incredibly well as long as the formulation and concentration are just right. But many dermatologists are wary of suggesting using it.
Glycolic Acid Serum
This should follow your normal cleanser and toner/pad and can even be mixed into moisturizer.
This can be beneficial for intimate areas prone to discoloration or hyperpigmentation. Studies have demonstrated that regular use of AHAs, including glycolic acid, can reduce hyperpigmentation effectively.
Whether you exfoliate with a chemical-based wash that includes sensitive skin–friendly glycolic acid or a physical exfoliator for normal skin types—these use everything from coffee to ground olive stones—the process of sloughing away dead skin cells also helps subtly slough away cellulite.
Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body Stick can be used as part of the AM and/or PM routine. Apply directly to clean, dry skin on concern areas with no need to rinse off. Start by using 2-3 times per week on affected areas and gradually increase to daily application if tolerated.
Lemon Juice: Lemon juice contains natural bleaching agents like citric acid that can help lighten underarm skin. Apply it for 10-15 minutes and rinse thoroughly. Potato: Potato slices or potato juice applied to the underarms can help reduce pigmentation due to its natural bleaching properties.
Glycolic acid and niacinamide.
Indeed, niacinamide used with AHA's like glycolic acid and lactic acid has no effect and can even cause redness. Since niacinamide has a pH of about 5-7, it can actually increase the lower pH of glycolic acid, which is about 3-4, and negate its properties.
Clinically speaking, retinol lacks the penetrative strength of Retin-A and glycolic acid, as it remains inactive and fails to reach beyond the superficial layer of the skin. Conversely, glycolic acid has the ability to deeply penetrate the skin, breaking down the "glue" that holds together dead and dull skin cells.
Glycolic Acid, especially in high-strength solutions, can irritate the skin. If you have sensitive skin, a low-strength glycolic acid treatment can be added to your skincare routine. However, you should introduce them gradually, utilizing them just once or twice a week.