Glycolic acid works to exfoliate the skin, speed up cell turnover, and boost collagen production. Glycolic acid helps to clear pores, smooth fine wrinkles, improve skin tone, fade dark patches and sun damage, and hydrate skin for a more youthful appearance.
Glycolic acid reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by deeply exfoliating the top layer of skin. The removal of dead skin cells flattens the skin's surface which makes deep fine lines and wrinkles appear more shallow and less noticeable.
In addition to reducing wrinkles and reversing the signs of sun damage, glycolic acid has another anti-aging superpower. Collagen is a protein found in all of the body's organs and tissues, including the skin.
While glycolic effectively removes debris from the skin, retinol stimulates cell regeneration as well as the production of collagen and elastin, which lessens the appearance of wrinkles.
Glycolic acid is an incredibly popular treatment because of the many benefits it has for the skin. It has effective skin-renewing properties, so it is often used in anti-aging products. It can help smooth fine wrinkles and improve the skin's tone and texture.
If you want, you can also use a toner, such as Bye Bye Pores Leave-On Solution Pore-Refining Toner, which has a mattifying effect. In the evenings, we recommend using your glycolic acid product followed by a moisturizer.
After about a month, you'll notice that you have fewer blemishes, as the Glycolic Acid works to keep your pores clean. Two months in, you'll notice your skin tone has become more even and is less prone to discolouration.
But overall, stick to using water-based products and serums together. AHAs and BHAs, such as glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acids should never be used with Vitamin C. Vitamin C is an acid, too, and is unstable, so the pH balance will be thrown off by layering these ingredients together and might as well be useless.
The beauty of glycolic acid and hyaluronic acid is the fact you can use both together! Quite often you'll find when there is a build-up of dead skin cells the complexion can begin to look dull, dry, and lacklustre with fine lines and wrinkles appearing to look worse than they are.
Glycolic acid acts on the surface to help exfoliate skin. Retinol, on the other hand, works on a deeper level to help improve your skin's look and feel. If you've heard you shouldn't combine these two ingredients, we've got some good news for you: You don't, in fact, have to choose between them.
If you want to smooth fine lines and wrinkles and tighten saggy skin, glycolic acid is a superhero in doing just that. Glycolic acid works as an antiaging product by regenerating collagen production. Younger skin is super rich in collagen, whereas it's the opposite of aging skin.
7. AHAs Are Most Effective At Concentrations Of 8 To 10 Percent. If you're new to AHAs, Kim recommends starting with a concentration lower than 8 percent.
First few weeks, leave the acid peel on for 15-30 seconds. Then rinse off. And follow with a moisturizer. Depending on how sensitive your skin is, it may cause irritation, dryness, and discomfort.
It's important to properly moisturise your skin after you apply glycolic acid. As you're effectively removing the top layer of dead skins cells, you could be left with some peeling or flaking (although this is much more prominent after glycolic acid peels).
Working in that order is essential. Exfoliate with glycolic acid first, rinse off your face with water, then apply hyaluronic acid to your still-damp complexion. As Dr Michel explains, “It's super important to moisturize after applying glycolic acid to help retain moisture and not over-strip your skin.”
Glycolic acid makes your skin susceptible to sunburn and tan, so you need to follow it up with sunscreen. Using high concentrations of glycolic acid without guidance can cause burns and damage your skin. Since it a strong exfoliant, it can dry out your skin. Therefore, moisturize your skin after using it.
Because glycolic acid can work deeper into the skin layer, it's generally recommended for uneven skin texture. In which case, if you have acne scars and wrinkles, glycolic acid is for you. On the other hand, lactic acid is a gentler exfoliant that's suitable for dry to sensitive skin types.
Glycolic acid peels are effective for removing blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples from skin. They also help to reduce pore size. Consistent and repeated use of glycolic acid peels have been shown to be effective for removing cystic lesions and acne scars from skin.
How to Use Glycolic Acid Toner? When you're just starting out, use the glycolic acid toner twice to thrice a week after cleansing your face at night. This frequency is enough irrespective of which chemical exfoliator you're using.
Common side effects of GLYCOLIC ACID include dry skin, erythema (skin redness), burning sensation, itching, skin irritation, and skin rash.
Some skin peeling is expected and totally normal after a glycolic peel. "The chemicals cause a reaction with the skin and dissolve the top layer of dead skin," Deveny explains.
“It's safe to use on other areas in addition to your face, like the back, chest, neck and arms,” adds Engelman.
Since the TCA peels exfoliate deeper into the dermis than a salicylic acid or glycolic acid peel, they have more potent and longer lasting results. That is why a TCA is typically used for quick treatment of a bad scar or freckles, and to lighten tattoos.
Exfoliate with salicylic acid or glycolic acid. These products will help keep your hair follicles open, so the hairs don't get trapped again. Don't use these products if you already have an ingrown hair, because they could irritate the area.