Gallic acid In Skin Care
What is gallic acid?
Gallic acid (GA) is a naturally occurring phenolic compound found in various plants, including gallnuts, sumac, witch hazel, tea leaves, oak bark, and other plants. Diglucosyl gallic acid (DGA) is a biotechnologically modified form of gallic acid designed to be activated by the skin’s microbiome. These compounds have been shown to be effective and safe in cosmetic formulations. They are often found in skin lightening or antiaging serums and creams. These gallic acid compounds are known for potent antioxidant properties, which help in protecting the skin from oxidative stress and free radical damage. Additionally, gallic acid has anti-inflammatory properties which is why it is used to decrease dark spots from acne or melasma and to soothe sensitive skin.
As a Thank you for reading our educational content, we’d like to offer you 20% off your next purchase! At checkout, use the code STSBlog20 for an instant discount!
Stability: DGA is more stable and effective topically than gallic acid
Microbiome Activation: Unlike gallic acid, DGA is activated by the skin’s microbiome, converting into a potent tyrosinase inhibitor that lightens dark spots.
Good for Sensitive Skin: Soothing and calming properties
Melasma: Can be used in both treatment and maintenance regimens
Gallic acid Skin Care Products
Many top selling skin care brands are beginning to add gallic acid or diglucosyl gallic acid because of its effectiveness and tolerability. Here are some of my recommendations for products with DGA:
Diglucosyl Gallic Acid vs Gallic Acid
Gallic acid is a naturally occurring phenolic compound found in various plants, known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. It protects the skin from free radicals, reduces inflammation, and helps combat microbial infections. However, while it is stable, it is susceptible to environmental factors and can degrade more quickly, potentially reducing its efficacy over time.
In skin care products, the derivative diglucosyl gallic acid may be used instead. Diglucosyl Gallic Acid is a biotechnologically created molecule in which gallic acid is linked with glucose molecules. This enhances its stability, making it more suitable for use in antiaging and skin lightening serums and creams. Diglucosyl gallic acid can inhibit tyrosinase after activation by the skin microbiome. This targeted activation allows a gradual activation process, which minimizes potential irritation and enhances tolerance. This is why this is a popular ingredient for skin lightening in sensitive skin types prone to reactivity.
What is Diglucosyl Gallic Acid?
Diglucosyl Gallic Acid (DGA) is the INCI name of a biotechnologically created molecule known for its skin-brightening, anti-inflammatory, and photoprotective properties. It is also referred to by the it’s other name Trihydroxy Benzoic Acid Alpha-Glucoside. This novel ingredient is activated by the skin’s microbiome, making it a unique addition to cosmetic formulations targeting hyperpigmentation and inflammation.
Benefits
This is an ingredient that is gaining popularity because of it’s benefits. The benefits of DGA for skin include:
Skin Brightening: Reduces the appearance of dark spots and promotes an even skin tone.
Anti-inflammatory: Decreases skin inflammation, which can reduce redness and swelling.
Photoprotection: Protects against UV rays by reducing UV-induced spot formation over time.
Antioxidant: Reduces free radical generation, protecting the skin from oxidative stress.
Anti-melanogenesis: Inhibits the production of melanin, preventing the formation of new dark spots.
Used To Treat
These soothing anti-inflammatory ingredients can be used to treat hyperpigmentation in sensitive skin types that may not be able to tolerate more irritating ingredients like hydroquinone.
Hyperpigmentation
Once applied to the skin, Diglucosyl Gallic Acid is partially converted by the skin microbiome into Trihydroxy Benzoic Acid. This conversion process results in two molecules that work synergistically:
Diglucosyl Gallic Acid: This molecule inhibits tyrosinase production, prevents melanin transfer to the upper skin layers, and controls skin inflammation.
Trihydroxy Benzoic Acid: A natural tyrosinase enzyme inhibitor that further reduces melanin synthesis.
Together, these molecules help control skin pigmentation by reducing melanin content, decreasing free radical generation, and modulating skin color to improve brightness and reduce redness, yellowness, and brownness.
Melasma
This is a good ingredient to use in your Melasma Maintenance Routine because it helps prevent inflammation and is only a mild tyrosinase inhibitor so it can be used in a tyrosinase inhibitor holiday.
Acne
This is a good ingredient in acne products if you have a skin type that develops dark spots from acne. This ingredient is noncomedogenic, sooths the redness of pimples, and helps lighten acne dark spots.
Safety
Both gallic acid and diglucosyl gallic acid are safe ingredients. They are rated a 1 by the EWG which is it’s safest rating. They can be used topically while breastfeeding and during pregnancy. This is why this ingredient is a popular melasma treatment to use during pregnancy.
DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life.
What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin?
Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition.
Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes.
If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider.
What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin?
Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity.
Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C.
Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post.
Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster.
This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster.
While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin.
It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin.
Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning?
Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance.
You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather.
Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.
