What Does Glycolic Acid Do To Your Face & What Are Its Benefits

What does glycolic acid do for your face and what are its benefits?

Yes, we are here again to talk about another chemical peel, but I can assure you that you want to know everything about this glycolic acid. It is truly good for your skin, which is why we incorporate glycolic acid into a variety of products, including our glycolic acid face wash, blackhead peeling mask, and glycolic acid egg. So let’s jump right in and learn more about the benefits of glycolic acid for skin care.

What is glycolic acid?

As mentioned earlier, glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (or AHA) that is derived from sugar cane. Similar to other AHAs, it has humble and natural origins. But there is one thing that is unique about this acid, and that is its small size. Its molecular size is the smallest of all acids, which means that it is extremely effective and penetrates the skin the fastest to reach the lower layers of the skin and start repairing.

What does glycolic acid do on the face?

Glycolic acid exfoliates the skin, removing dead skin cells that accumulate on the surface of the face and can cause skin problems such as blemishes, dry spots, and dull complexion. Glycolic acid dissolves the “glue” that holds these skin cells to your face, revealing new, more vibrant, brighter skin underneath. Glycolic acid doesn’t stop there, it penetrates deeper into the skin, passing through the epidermis and increasing collagen production. As we age, this natural production slows down, causing our skin to lose firmness. With the help of this glycolic acid, you’ll find your skin feels firmer, with fewer signs of fine lines and wrinkles, giving you a noticeably smoother, more radiant complexion.

How often should you use glycolic acid?

This basically depends on your skin type and whether your skin can tolerate a chemical peel. For combination and oily skin, using glycolic acid every morning and night can help open up your pores and leave you feeling clean without stripping your skin of the important oils and moisture it needs for good health. If you have dry skin, you can try incorporating this product into your daily routine, using it once a week and keeping track of how your skin responds to the formula. This should all be done after performing a patch test 24 hours before using the product or consulting with a dermatologist or GP.

You know your skin better than anyone. So even if you use glycolic acid products as directed, but your skin feels tight and uncomfortable, you should stop using it immediately before you over-exfoliate your skin and potentially trigger a reaction.

However, glycolic acid is a milder acid that many people find safe and easy to use in their skincare routine. You’ll also be interested to know that glycolic acid is immediately neutralized when it comes in contact with water. Not only does this mean you can wash it off if it burns or feels uncomfortable, but once it penetrates the skin and reaches the water in the lower dermis, it stays there. In other words, you won’t have severe irritation and bright red skin.

What should I put on my face after using glycolic acid?

It depends on which product has glycolic acid in its formula, but whether it’s a cleanser, face wash, or toner, glycolic acid should be followed by a hydrating serum rich in hyaluronic acid (learn more about the benefits of hyaluronic acid here) to hydrate and soothe the skin, followed by a moisturizer if you want to use one, and finally an SPF if you use it in your daily routine. Peeling can make your skin sensitive to UV rays. So, apply a sunscreen with SPF 30+ every day to protect your skin from sun damage.

What shouldn’t glycolic acid be used with?

Avoid using other AHAs when using glycolic acid as it may be too much for the skin. Instead, you can try mixing up your products, such as using a toner with glycolic acid at night and a serum with vitamin C in the morning. This way you can get the most out of these products but not over-exfoliate and overburden your skin.

It is also recommended not to use both physical and chemical peels at the same time as this will remove sebum from the skin, which can lead to overproduction and then your skin will have many breakouts such as spots and blemishes.

How long does glycolic acid take to work?

As with many ingredients in skincare, consistency is key. Regular use of products rich in glycolic acid will significantly improve the overall appearance of your complexion. The speed at which glycolic acid improves the skin is one of the many benefits of this AHA. Expect that you will start to see results after 2-3 weeks and your skin will show a complete transformation after 6-8 months.

Which is better, retinol or glycolic acid?

Both skin ingredients work very differently on the skin. Glycolic acid has an impressive effect in maintaining skin clarity and restoring a healthy glow. Retinol is a highly effective ingredient that effectively fights all signs of aging, such as fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, and more. These ingredients act on different parts of the skin, so you can use both in your nighttime routine. You may also find that retinol is able to penetrate the skin and show results faster, because glycolic acid removes all the dead cells from the skin. You can find out more about retinol in our special blog post. There you can read about all the benefits of using retinol and why it is so good for the skin.

Do I need to wash off glycolic acid?

This again depends on the product containing glycolic acid. In a previous blog post, we mentioned the advantages of keeping active ingredients on the skin for as long as possible, such as in the form of a serum. However, due to the low molecular weight and size of glycolic acid, it can penetrate deep into the skin and work its magic. This means that your skin will not reap any benefits if you wash off glycolic acid in your skincare routine.

Didn’t we tell you that it would be in your best interest to learn more about this hard-working AHA? If you want to learn more about what alpha and beta hydroxy acids do for your skin, check out our complete guide to AHAs and BHAs.

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.

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