What is Glycolic Acid & What Are The Benefits For Your Skin?

Glycolic Acid is an AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) known for its smoothing and resurfacing benefits and all-in-all, a real glow-getter that has taken the entire beauty industry by storm. By helping to reveal fresh layers of skin, it’s known to visibly treat discolouration, improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles, target acne-prone skin and most importantly, exfoliate for a more radiant complexion.

Glycolic Acid has been at the heart of NeoStrata since 1974 when our founders first discovered the multiple effects of Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) on patients with Ichthyosis (dry, thickened, scaly skin.) Yes, at NeoStrata we are the founders of the benefits of using Glycolic Acid for its skin renewing properties. Don’t worry, you can thank us later!

What Does Glycolic Acid Do For Your Skin?

Glycolic Acid is an Alpha Hydroxy Acid that is derived from sugar cane. Glycolic Acid normalises the skin’s exfoliation process, refines the appearance of pore size and smooths the look of fine lines and wrinkles as it retexturises skin. Glycolic Acid works by loosening the glue-like substance that holds dull and dead skin cells on the topmost layer of your skin, revealing newer, healthier-looking skin. It’s perfect to use as part of a variety of skincare routines from preventing early signs of aging to helping visibly improve acne-prone skin as it helps removes pore-clogging dead skin cells that trap dirt and bacteria.

Acts As An Exfoliant: Glycolic Acid is a chemical exfoliant that removes the outermost layer of skin cells by dissolving and loosening their bonds – no harsh scrubbing required!

Is An Antiageing All-Star: Glycolic Acid can help minimise the visible signs of skin ageing like sun damage, while targeting natural collagen (which help give skin its elasticity or “bounce”) to reduce the appearance of surface lines and wrinkles.

What Skin Care Products Contain Glycolic Acid?

You can find Glycolic Acid in a variety of products in your skincare routine. From cleansers to toners and treatments to moisturisers and even at-home chemical peels! You can find Glycolic Acid at different levels and in different formats throughout the NEOSTRATA portfolio. Below are some of our favourite skincare products containing Glycolic Acid that you can try.

GLYCOLIC ACID IN A FACIAL CLEANSER: TRY FOAMING GLYCOLIC WASH

This award-winning maximum strength foam cleanser is formulated to retexture the skin’s surface, helping to clean clogged pores and lightly exfoliate.

GLYCOLIC ACID IN A PEEL: TRY SMOOTH SURFACE GLYCOLIC CHEMICAL PEEL

This advanced at-home chemical peel provides six visible antiageing benefits in one step. It is formulated with 10% Glycolic Acid and Aminofil to refine skin texture, improve skin tone, reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles, even visible discolouration, clarify pores and minimise skin roughness when used as part of a daily AHA skincare regimen.*

^* Twice daily use of Foaming Glycolic Wash with AHA day cream with SPF, Glycolic Renewal Smoothing Cream and Smooth Surface Glycolic Peel daily.

GLYCOLIC ACID IN A TONER: TRY OILY SKIN SOLUTION

This pore minimising toner is designed to exfoliate, clarify and help tighten pores. This high strength AHA formula is designed to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and is ideal for oily or oily-prone skin with early signs of ageing.

GLYCOLIC ACID IN A NIGHT CREAM: TRY CELLULAR RESTORATION

Cellular Restoration is the perfect night cream to help fade the look of age spots. It helps dry skin feel hydrated, while providing brighter, plumper looking skin and a visibly more even skin tone.

How Do You Use Glycolic Acid?

In conclusion, Glycolic Acid is a welcome choice as part of a daily skincare routine to help with a variety of skincare concerns from visible signs of ageing and discolouration, to targeting acne-prone skin by removing the outer layer of skin cells to reveal newer, fresh ones underneath for a glowing, youthful look.

To get glowing with Glycolic Acid, begin to incorporate it into your skincare routine in a variety of ways such as cleanser, toner, treatments, peels and more.

References:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/glycolic-acid-for-skin#benefits