Glycolic acid is a naturally occurring acid, known as an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) which is found in milk and fruit. Alpha hydroxy acids have been used for many years as natural moisturisers, exfoliants and softeners for the skin. Some examples of AHA’s are lactic acid and tartaric acid. Salicylic acid is an example of a beta hydroxy acid and is similar in structure. Anti-aging preparations frequently include glycolic acid. There are a wide variety glycolic acid skin care products to choose from.

How Do Glycolic Acid Skin Care Products Work?

Glycolic acid is an extremely small molecule obtained from sugar cane. It is a single chain molecule and one of smallest of the AHA’s. Because it is so small it can easily penetrate the the top layer of the skin where it breaks the bonds that bind the dead cells to the skin. They can then be easily sloughed off leaving a soft and more youthful looking skin. In addition glycolic acid is a very powerful moisturiser. In one experiment there was a 200% improvement in skin moisture when glycolic acid was used regularly over a few weeks. Glycolic acid skin care products include lotions, creams, gels and peels.

Side Effects of Glycolic Acid Peels

Peels which contain glycolic acid are the gentlest available and side effects should be mild. They may include stinging, redness and some irritation. Side effects are typically short-lived and will clear up in a less than a week.

A Word of Advice

Retinol or related vitamin A derivatives often make the effects of any glycolic acid skin care products more intense. This is particularly important for glycolic acid peels so be careful if you are also using any of these types of products.

Types of Glycolic Acid Skin Care Products

Glycolic acid cleansers, creams and gels

These glycolic acid skin care products are formulated for daily use as cleansers, exfoliating agents and moisturisers. Lotions and creams are manufactured for combination, oily or dry skins. Serums are usually much lighter in consistency and are consequently more suitable for oily skins.

Glycolic Acid Chemical Peels

At higher concentrations glycolic acid is used as a chemical peel to provide a more aggressive remedy than creams and gels. A chemical peel works by literally blistering the skin to allow the skin to peel off to leave smooth skin below. These types of peels are accessible at your local pharmacy but if this is your first time using one it is sensible to seek advice from a doctor before use to ensure the product is suitable for your skin. Glycolic acid peels can be used to eliminate dry areas, pigmentation and fine lines. They are also useful in controlling acne flare ups or to improve skin damaged by the sun.

Anti-aging Products

There are lots of anti aging skin care products on the market with many different constituents. Glycolic acid is often included in these products, typically blended with additional ingredients for example Coenzyme Q10 or retinol. Some people may possibly have skin that is too hypersensitive to use a product containing glycolic acid and retinol in combination so be wary when using this type of product and try on a small spot, maybe on the inner arm, before applying to your face. Also be sure to use a sunscreen when using any product that contains retinol in the daytime as this does make the skin more hypersensitive to the rays if the sun.

Skin Lightening Products

Skin lightening products are for use on areas of the skin that are discolored from damage from the sun or aging. They are not to be used all over the face. They can be bought as creams or gels and as a rule contain additional ingredients such as hydroquinone, azelaic acid and kojic acid.

Eye Creams

Glycolic acid skin care products suitable to deal with the fine lines around the eyes contain much lower concentrations of glycolic acid than creams and gels formulated for the complete face. The skin in the region of the eyes is more sensitive than in other parts of the face. Glycolic acid eye creams and gels are typically formulated with additional ingredients, for instance retinol.

Cleansers

Cleansers made with glycolic acid typically have levels varying from 3% to approximately 10%. They may be used for daily exfoliating and cleaning. Choose a lotion or gel with a lower concentration if this is the first time you have used a glycolic acid cleaner and increase the level as your skin becomes accustomed to it.

Masks

These kinds of glycolic acid skin care products have a higher concentration of active ingredient and are by and large used for deeper, more intense cleaning treatments.

Toners

Toners are usually used to restore the pH of the skin ahead of other procedures and can boost their effectiveness.

Face Washes

A glycolic acid face wash can be used on a daily basis to give a lovely luminosity to the skin. Though several of the glycolic acid products that you can purchase have a quite high concentration of glycolic acid, face washes have a much lower concentration and consequently are entirely safe for anyone to use. The one exception to this is if you suffer from a serious skin problems, you should consult a dermatologist before you use this kind of face wash even though it is unlikely that these concentrations will cause any harm.

Conclusion
Glycolic acid skin care preparations are used for a variety of skin therapies and are helpful and usually mild. Combined with other ingredients they have a variety of uses and are very popular and widely used in skin care preparations.