You’ve probably encountered glycolic acid in numerous skin care products and may be wondering what it does for the skin. Well, glycolic acid is a type of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that is derived from sugar cane. Compared to salicylic and lactic acid, glycolic acid’s molecular size is relatively smaller hence it is capable of penetrating deep into your skin to address various issues, such as blemishes, uneven tone, congested pores, and even the rough texture of your skin just to name a few.
What other benefits can you get from this particular AHA? Let’s find out!
Refines the pores of your skin
Applying products that have glycolic acid on your skin can help remove any dirt, debris, sweat, and oil from your pores thus reducing their appearance. After you have cleansed your skin, dip a cotton pad in a glycolic acid toner and apply on your skin. This will remove any remaining particles that are still lodged on your pores.
Anti-aging
Another benefit that is linked to glycolic acid is that it is quite useful in fighting signs of aging. When you apply this acid on your skin, it speeds up collagen production and even elevate the amount of hyaluronic acid present in your body which can help reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles on your skin. With regular use, you will see a huge difference to your skin as it becomes smoother and appear flawless in the long run.
Boosts texture
Rough patches on our skin can give it an uneven look, but this can be remedied with the help of glycolic acid. The exfoliating properties of glycolic acid can help boost cell turnover, so that healthier skin cells will start to appear. If you haven’t been exfoliating your skin that much, now is the time to do so.
Prevents ingrown hair
Ingrown hairs tend to appear when a strand of hair curls back down to the skin rather than up. Although some find that they can tackle ingrown hairs on their own, but instead of prodding your skin with a tweezer all the time, why not prevent it instead? Applying glycolic acid can help remove the accumulation of dead skin cells on the surface of your skin which helps prevent ingrown hairs from occurring. You can use this on any parts of your body where ingrown hair tends to appear such as under your arms or even in your bikini area.
Corrects dark spots
Another benefit that is linked to the use of glycolic acid is that it helps correct dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and even melasma. For those who have discolored skin, you may find using glycolic acid to be efficient in lightning dark areas of your skin. If you’ve been out under the sun for too long, glycolic acid will help correct the uneven skin tone that you have.
Treats keratosis pilaris
Keratosis pilaris, also referred to as chicken skin, can leave your skin feeling rough to the touch. Applying a lotion hat contains glycolic acid can help get rid of any clogging in the pores of your skin, and even get rid of dry skin without causing any irritation or inflammation in your skin.
Glycolic acid is relatively safe on your skin as long as it can be tolerated by it. How much glycolic acid to use depends from one person to the next. Start with a small amount at first to see if there will be any reaction to your skin, then gradually increase the dosage. Pay attention to how your skin reacts so you can adjust the dosage. If you are not sure, always consult a professional.
