If you opt for a glycolic acid peel, you shouldn't do it more than once a week at first. For normal to dry skin, that is often enough indefinitely. However, for oily or combination skin, you can eventually move to twice a week.
Start slowly with glycolic acid to avoid over-exfoliation. For beginners, once or twice a week is sufficient. As your skin builds tolerance, you can increase it to three times a week. For seasoned users, daily use might be beneficial, but it's important to monitor your skin's reaction.
Face/Neck Application: Apply once daily, ideally in the evening. Apply to the face and neck using a cotton pad or fingers. Scalp Application: Apply to dry scalp, three times a week. Tilt your head back and use the nozzle to gently dispense product from the front to the back of the head in a sweeping motion.
Gently massage the product into your skin, focusing on any areas of concern. Allow the product to absorb for a few minutes before applying any other skincare products or deodorants. Use glycolic acid on your underarms no more than once or twice a week to avoid over-exfoliation.
Start off with once a week, then three, then every other day every two weeks until you gradually work up to being able to use it every day. If your skin takes to it well, then you can see what your skin can tolerate.
To clear blackheads, glycolic acid can take 3-4 weeks to take effect for clearer, congestion-free skin. This is because it takes time and repeated use for glycolic acid to break down pore-blocking dead skin cells and debris for clearer skin that doesn't have any congestion.
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.
However, in the case of using glycolic acid for armpits, it was actually onto something. Not only will doing so prevent your pits from smelling bad but it may also help lighten them. And while glycolic acid may not stop you from sweating (you'll need an antiperspirant for that), it's still worth a swipe.
Can glycolic acid be used as deodorant? While many users on TikTok have claimed that glycolic acid formulas can be a good replacement for your go-to deo, it won't actually keep your armpits dry on hot days. "Applying glycolic acid will not reduce sweating," Garshick says.
Dr Zamani says: “Overusing glycolic acid can leave the skin red, dry and more sensitive to the sun. This can cause premature ageing, thinning of the skin and heightened risk of pigmentation.”
Glycolic acid needs at least 2 to 4 weeks to show improvements in skin tone and texture.
Common side effects of Glycolic Acid include dry skin, erythema (skin redness), burning sensation, itching, skin irritation, and skin rash. Glycolic Acid can make the skin more sensitive in the sunlight, hence always use sunscreen and protective clothing before you step outdoors.
6. Always moisturize after use. Glycolic acid exfoliates and hydrates the skin, but it can irritate or dry out sensitive skin. Always follow your glycolic acid application with an additional light moisturizer to reduce the effects of dryness and irritation on the skin.
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.
Yes, you can! With strategic use, the combined benefits of glycolic acid and retinol can help you attain a healthier, radiant complexion. Need help with your skincare routine? Take help from the L'Oréal Paris Skin Genius tool to get a customized skincare routine and take care of your skin like a pro.
Yes, Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body Stick is suitable for up to 1x daily use on the bikini line and underarm areas. If using on the underarms, apply 10-15 minutes before using deodorant/anti-perspirant.
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.
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.
It Can Reduce Breakage
Many people experience hair breakage, making it difficult to grow the hair thick and long. Glycolic acid can nourish and hydrate the hair, which, in turn, prevents tangling, making it easier to style the hair without it breaking off.
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.
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.