Top 3 Glycolic Acid Skin Care Products
Weve put together a GHS curated selection of our favorite skin care products that contain glycolic acid for anti-aging, brightening, dryness, hyperpigmentation, acne, and fine lines and wrinkles. We only link to products that we absolutely believe in. All the products weve chosen are paraben-free, sulfate-free, and phthalate-free. Remember – results wont happen overnight. It can take 4-6 consistent glycolic acid exfoliations or chemical peels before you begin to see improvements, so stay consistent with your product usage.
Use in PMAfter cleansing, apply this toner with a cotton pad to your face and neck in the evening. Follow up with other non AHA serums.Price$$
Use 2-3x weekly in PMApply this serum to your face and neck in the evening post cleansing and toning. Follow up with other non AHA serums.Price$$$$
Use 2-3x weekly in PMApply this serum to your face and neck in the evening post cleansing and toning. Follow up with other non AHA serums.Price$$$$Certified: paraben-free, sulfate-free, phthalate-free, vegan, gluten-free
FOR GLYCOLIC ACID
Consistency is key
Results wont happen overnight. Consistency is key. It can take 4-6 consistent glycolic acid exfoliations or chemical peels before you begin to see improvements. Be patient – good things come to those who wait. If you’re not seeing improvements after 4 to 6 treatments, then we recommend trying another glycolic acid product or another AHA like lactic acid.
Tingling is normal
Benefits Of Using A Glycolic Acid Peel On Your Skin
Glycolic acid peels are the most common alpha-hydroxy acid peels used by dermatologists.
When used correctly, theyre considered safe and cause no downtime for people who get them. To acquire optimal results, you may require several peels over a period of time as determined by a doctor.
Glycolic acid peels have proven benefits in the treatment of several skin conditions:
Better Tone And Texture
Finally, glycolic acid is a superior ingredient to reducing acne and blemishes for one more vital reason. Over time, regular glycolic acid use can can help to even out skin tone and texture, and even reduce the appearance of acne scarring. By driving new skin cells to the surface of the face, glycolic acid helps to reveal skin that is brighter, more evenly toned, and smoother in texture.
Additionally, glycolic acid boosts skin texture, thanks to its ability to stimulate collagen, a protein vital for firm, smooth, supple skin.
Glycolic acid stimulates fibroblasts in the dermis to produce increased amounts of collagen. And by stimulating collagen production, it helps skin feel firmer and minimizes fine lines and wrinkles, dermatologist Dr. Kenneth Howe, M.D., told Glamour.
With regular use of glycolic acid, acne marks, scars, and the uneven texture left behind from blemishes and breakouts can be diminished faster and more effectively.
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What Does Glycolic Acid Do
So what exactly does glycolic acid do? One word: exfoliation. An AHA removes dead skin cells so they cant mix with sebum and clog your pores. Think of glycolic acid as a superpower exfoliator that helps keep skin healthy by ensuring your pores are gunk free. Glycolic acid is also effective at helping to improve the appearance of acne scars and dark spots because it helps shed those dead cells and refresh the skins surface.
According To The Fda: Glycolic Acid Does Not Cause Cancer
Since glycolic acid can make the skin more prone to sunburn, several studies have investigated whether it can make the skin more prone to developing cancer.
A 2003 study published in tested the ability of glycolic acid to cause cancer in mice. This study concluded that glycolic acid did not cause cancer in mice.
Further, the FDA has evaluated the cancer-causing ability of all AHAs, including glycolic acid, and determined, “HA ingredients are not mutagenic or carcinogenic, are not reproductive or developmental toxins, and are not skin sensitizers.” In other words, AHAs, including glycolic acid, do not cause cancer and do not affect pregnancy.2
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How Glycolic Acid Works On Acne
Glycolic acid has a very small-sized molecule structure of all the alpha-hydroxy acids. Because of such tiny molecules, this acid can easily penetrate the skin. As a result, it exfoliates the skin better than other AHAs.
Glycolic acid stimulates the skin and thus creates more collagen. It works by speeding up the cell turnover. Collagen is a protein that helps give the skin its firmness, elasticity, and plumpness. The glycolic acid removes all the dead skin cells and makes the skin glow.
With age, the natural collagen production of the skin slows down. Generally, it is destroyed by excessive sun exposure. Using the glycolic acid at regular intervals helps in preventing the breakdown of collagen, retaining the youthfulness of the skin.
Who Should Be Using It
The nice thing about glycolic acid is that its good for almost every skin type, except very sensitive skin patients and patients with rosacea, Isaac said, noting that those with sensitive skin may find it too irritating. She also said that as long as a person has some natural oil production, they should be fine.
Some people have raised questions about whether glycolic acid is safe to use on darker skin tones, but Isaac said its generally OK, though there could be some risk for pigmentation if someone uses a formula thats too strong and irritates their skin.
In terms of age, glycolic acid products can pretty much be used from the teenage years onward.
Preteens can use them very safely for blackhead busters, even 11- or 12-year-old kids can use them as basic cleansers, Isaac said, before stressing that she would not use something like a 30 percent glycolic peel on individuals in that age range.
But for someone in their 20s, 30s and above, if they want to do an at-home glycolic peel, I think that would be anyone 18 and above, she said.
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Is It Ok To Use Glycolic Acid Every Day
Richard Bottiglione, MD, a board certified dermatologist and the founder of Dermatologists Choice Skincare, says this depends on the concentration of what your skin can tolerate. He says daily use is often beneficial for anti-aging and acne-fighting benefits, but everyone is different.
You can determine how often and the concentration you want to use based on the results you desire and your skins tolerance to the non-neutralized glycolic, Bottiglione suggests.
Glycolic Acid Uses In Acne Products
- Acne Pads: Glycolic acid is a very popular ingredient used in peel pads. It is very useful in clearing out the pores and hydrates the skin well. It brightens and smoothes the texture of the skin as well. The acne pads are used on all skin types. The glycolic acne pads are recommended to be used twice and thrice a week for the best results. The acne pads are the perfect solution for skin cleansing and treating acne.
- Fruit Acid Peel: The glycolic acid peel is an alpha hydroxy acid peel/ fruit acid peel that helps in reducing the acne scars. The depth of this peel depends completely on the concentration of the acid used along with the number of coats of it applied. This peel should be used at least twice and thrice a week for the best and most effective results. The fruit acid peel enhances the skin glow and makes it very hydrated.
- Acne Creams: Glycolic acid is known for its hydration properties. It moisturizes the skin very well. It exfoliates the skin and reduces all its dryness. The acne creams are very useful to remove the dead skin cells and unclog pores. Glycolic acid is used as an organic ingredient in many skin care products. Acne creams are of very good texture and moisturize the skin well. They help in reducing acne and make skin blemish-free.
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A Final Word On Acids
While there are lots of acids and active ingredients available to improve skin cell turnover, its important not to use them in excess. They have the potential to dry out your skin.
Salicylic acid and glycolic acid can pair well together as spot treatments. But retinol and glycolic acid may be too drying for most people.
In addition to acne, dermatologists use glycolic acid to treat the following skin conditions:
These different uses make glycolic acid a versatile ingredient for those seeking to improve their skins appearance.
If you have acne, especially more severe forms like cystic acne, its a good idea to check with your dermatologist first before using glycolic acid.
This is especially true if your doctor already has you using prescription products, including antibiotics. Its possible the combination of glycolic acid and other products could do more harm than good by making your skin produce too much oil, further clogging your pores.
You should also see your dermatologist if youre considering a glycolic acid peel. These are higher concentrations of glycolic acid that may offer greater results in terms of exfoliation, but they require a knowledgeable professional.
According to a 2013 review , glycolic acid peels of between 30 and 70 percent can improve the appearance of acne and acne scarring.
Some skin types and even skin shades may be inappropriate for glycolic acid peels due to risks for irritation and hyperpigmentation.
Want to learn more? Get the FAQs below
What Does Glycolic Acid Do For Your Skin
First and foremost, glycolic acid is an exfoliant. It helps shed dead skin cells and reveal the newer, brighter layers underneath by acting on the stratum corneum . Normal, intact stratum corneum consists of tightly packed layers of dead skin cells that are tightly bonded together,” says Howe. “Glycolic acid loosens these bonds. With their glue dissolved by glycolic acid, those tough, rough layers of dead skin cells can more easily slough away.
But because glycolic acid is so small, it can get deeper into your skin too, where it does some serious work. Glycolic acid stimulates fibroblasts in the dermis to produce increased amounts of collagen, says Howe. And by stimulating collagen production, it helps skin feel firmer and minimizes fine lines and wrinkles. Between the superficial action on your stratum corneum and the work it does below, your skin will feel smoother and look more radiant and even-toned, Shapiro says.
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The Side Effects Of Glycolic Acid
We hope weve convinced you of the good reasons to be using Glycolic Acid by now, but there are some possible side effects to consider, along with questioning whether the balance between side effect and benefit is worth it.In most commercial skincare products, youre unlikely to find a concentration of any AHA, including Glycolic Acid, above 10%. This low concentration means its generally safe for skin – anything higher is usually used by skincare or medical professionals.However, even though its generally safe for the skin, Glycolic Acid, as well as others in the AHA family, can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. This is because it removes the layer of dead skin cells, leaving new cells on the surface. Just like when you wax body hair, a layer of skin is removed as well, and the underlying fresh skin is more susceptible to UV damage.One easy way to get around this is to use products containing Glycolic Acid at night, and then follow with an SPF during the day – which you should be doing anyway!
Sadly, Glycolic Acid can also cause some mild irritation to the skin. Because of this, its always a good idea to do a patch test before applying the product to your entire face. If you do use Glycolic Acid and feel your skin becoming itchy, swollen or turning red, rinse off the product immediately.
Choosing The Right Skin Treatment
The glycolic acid treatment you choose depends a lot on your skin type and what your end goals are. If you are simply wanting brighter, healthier-looking skin an over-the-counter product is effective enough without stronger pro peels.
Using low concentrations of glycolic acid over long periods of time creates a cumulative effect your skin will look better the longer you use it.
For treating specific skin issues like noticeable sun damage, dark spots or acne marks, and deeper lines and wrinkles, or for marked improvement of the skin quickly, a professional peel is a good option. But because peels deliver a higher percentage of glycolic acid than daily use products they will be more irritating and have a greater chance of side effects.
When choosing any glycolic acid treatment, the percentage of glycolic acid is just one factor. The product’s pH is the other. A more acidic product will deliver a stronger and more effective treatment than a less acidic product, regardless of the percentage of glycolic acid.
So a product containing a low percentage of glycolic acid but with a lower pH will be more effective than a high percentage but low acidity product.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of skincare products simply list the percentage of glycolic acid used. They are not required to list the pH, so it can make it difficult to compare products apples-to-apples.
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Glycolic Acids Benefits For Your Skin
Chemically, glycolic acid belongs to the class of alpha hydroxy acids and is naturally present in the environment. It is most commonly extracted from sugarcane and is a powder made up of colorless crystals in its raw state. This fruit acid is considered as one of the safest alpha hydroxy acids for usage on the skin.
Skin rejuvenation is the primary after-effect of adding this AHA to your skin care routine. Various aspects of a glycolic peel, its benefits, how it is being used as a skin peel, and other details are explained in detail below.
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Glycolic Acid Benefits For Various Acne Types
There are plenty of benefits of using glycolic acid on the skin. It is the strongest AHA to be used due to its small molecule size. It exfoliates the dead skin cells and reduces the wrinkles and fine lines on the face. It is very effective in fading out the hyperpigmentation and smoothens the complexion. It is widely known for its properties to fight acne and hydrates dry skin well.
In skincare products, it increases the penetration of other ingredients well. Let us see below what other benefits you can enjoy with glycolic acid.
- Glycolic Acid For Acne Scars: It is very effective in treating acne scars. The acid helps in reducing the pore size. The repetitive use of glycolic acid helps remove the cystic lesions and acne scars from the face very well.
- Glycolic Acid For Cystic Acne: It is recommended that glycolic acid be used on the skin regularly. This helps in giving out the best results, especially in improving the acne scars and cystic lesions. It helps in improving the skin texture by making it look brighter and glowy.
- Glycolic Acid For Fungal Acne: The researchers have shown that glycolic acid has antibacterial properties. It is rich in antioxidants that help in improving the skin tremendously well. It is natural in nature and used well to treat fungal acne and rosacea. It regulates the fatty acids content in the skin and has antifungal properties.
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How To Apply Glycolic Acid
Nighttime only
Use glycolic acid products at night only. This is very important because glycolic acid make your skin more sensitive to UV rays. Apply during your bedtime routine, and wear sunscreen in the morning to protect your newly exfoliated baby skin.
Work up to it
Light stinging and redness is normal when first using glycolic acid. Don’t worry, your skin will get used to it over time. Always patch test before applying to your entire face! A patch test will help you decide if glycolic acid is right for your skin. Apply a small amount of the glycolic acid product in the evening to a small area on your forehead . If there is mild or no irritation within 24 hours, apply a thin layer of the glycolic acid product to your entire face in the evening 1x-2x a week. If you experience harsh irritation within 24 hrs , consider trying another glycolic acid product with a lower concentration, or try an alternative AHA .Note: Conditioning your skin to get used to glycolic acid is easier with products containing lower concentrations of glycolic acid . Higher concentrations of glycolic acid can cause more severe irritation when your skin is not yet acclimated with the ingredient. You might have to try a few different products that have varying potencies of glycolic acid.
Apply to entire face
Less is more
Only use a pea sized amount or less for your entire face. Too much glycolic acid product can cause excessive irritation.
Don’t over exfoliate
Don’t scrub face
How To Use Glycolic Acid Safely
In general, glycolic acid is a very safe and effective skincare ingredient. To keep your skin safe, though, there are a few things to know before using glycolic acid.
First and foremost, you must wear sunscreen whenever you are using glycolic acid treatments. Like all alpha-hydroxy acids, glycolic acid can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. You don’t want to undo all the good your glycolic acid is doing, and you definitely don’t want to end up with a nasty sunburn. Wear SPF of at least 30, please.
Allow your skin to acclimate to glycolic acid. If you are using an OTC product, start off by applying it just three times per week for a week or so. If your skin isn’t red or irritated, try using it four times a week for a week or two.
Continue slowly building up this way until you’re able to use it every day. If at any point your skin becomes irritated, scale back use for a period of time and try again.
For in-office or in-salon peels, you will probably start off with a lower concentration of glycolic acid. If your skin tolerates that reasonably well, you will most likely be bumped up to higher strengths for subsequent peels.
In the initial few days of treatment, your skin may feel a bit more rough than typical. This is normal and just means that the glycolic acid is working. Unless your skin is irritated, keep using your glycolic acid product. Smoother skin is just around the corner.
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