Glycolic acid can be an effective ingredient for reducing hyperpigmentation. However, strong or irritating skin care products can also cause hyperpigmentation. It is especially important for people who are prone to hyperpigmentation to use nonirritating, gentle exfoliants.
The Ordinary glycolic acid toner often shows initial results within one to two weeks. Better results, such as even skin tone and reduced dark spots, generally appear after four weeks of regular use.
Yes, but glycolic acid is better for normal to dry skin, while vitamin C works well for all skin types, especially those prone to dullness or pigmentation.
Salicylic acid
It is an exfoliating agent that removes dark spots and acne-causing bacteria along with dead skin cells that can lead to pigmentation. However, you need to be patient while using salicylic acid to treat hyperpigmentation.
“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.
Can I use glycolic acid everyday? Short answer: yes, Glycolic Acid can benefit your skin, but the key is finding the right strength that your skin can tolerate. As dermatologist Dr. Bottiglione explains, irritation or redness may occur initially, but there is no need to worry as permanent scars are uncommon.
Both are available over the counter and inhibit melanin production. However, Kojic acid is considered more potent and is thus a preferred choice for more stubborn hyperpigmentation.
Topical therapy is the recommended first-line treatment, with the gold standard being hydroquinone, which can be used alone or in combination with other agents.
Glycolic Acid: The Exfoliation Champion
Glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), excels in exfoliating the skin, helping to remove dead skin cells and promote a brighter, more even complexion. It is particularly effective for treating uneven skin tone, hyperpigmentation, and acne.
Treatment: Ingredients like hydroquinone, tretinoin, tazarotene, glycolic acid, azelaic acid, niacinamide, tranexamic acid, thiamidol, kojic acid, and vitamin C are highlighted for their roles in treating hyperpigmentation by lightening dark spots and promoting an even skin tone.
Glycolic acid is easy to use because there are so many ways to incorporate it into your skin care routine. As a rule of thumb, use one glycolic acid product at a time to avoid irritation, and incorporate it into your evening routine, since it makes skin more sensitive to sunlight.
But there isn't enough reliable information to know if glycolic acid is safe to use by mouth. Stay on the safe side and stick to topical products. Sensitive skin: Glycolic acid can cause skin irritation and make certain skin conditions worse. Use cautiously in people with sensitive skin.
It's important to feel the Trustworthy Tingle or the "sting" to know it's working. The glycolic enters the pores to exfoliate, brighten, and build collagen. If it's neutralized it doesn't do any of this. Some sting, redness or dryness is normal with active non-neutralized glycolic acid.
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.
Ask a Dermatologist About High-Tech Options
“I treat hyperpigmentation regularly using a combined approach of topical treatments and procedures,” Dr. Vashi says. “Procedures include chemical peels with alpha and beta hydroxy acids, microneedling, and certain types of lasers.”
Niacinamide is generally considered more effective for hyperpigmentation as it inhibits melanin production. Glycolic acid works by increasing cell turnover to reveal newer skin. Using both can provide a powerful approach.
Lactic acid treats acne, acne scarring, dark spots, hyperpigmentation, photoaging, and other skin blemishes.
Your uneven, pigmented complexion can highly benefit from kojic acid. Kojic acid effectively fights any hyperpigmentation, including sun damage, melasma, common PIH, acne marks, marks left behind by injuries, even dark under-eye circles.
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.
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.
To double down on anti-aging benefits, pair glycolic acid with either lactic acid or malic acid, both of which unblock pores so that exfoliation is more effective.
After about a month, you should notice clearer skin as glycolic acid works to keep skin clean and decongested. Two months in, you should see that dark spots and pigmentation is reduced as the regular glycolic acid application is melting away old, dead skin cells and increasing cell turnover.