Glycolic acid / AHA

What is AHA?

Glycolic acid is a water-soluble alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) derived from plants and other natural sources such as fruit, sugar cane, and milk. AHAs are used in various beauty products such as cleansers, toners, and exfoliators. One of the advantages of glycolic acid is that it has the smallest molecular size of all other AHAs, making it easily absorbed by the skin. In its pure form, glycolic acid is odorless and colorless.

What does glycolic acid do?

Glycolic acid is an effective solution for various skin problems due to its small molecule size. It is the most potent AHA and should be used with caution to avoid skin irritation.

What is glycolic acid used for?

Glycolic acid is commonly used as an exfoliant in skincare. It helps remove dead skin cells to reveal the brighter layers beneath. Unlike other exfoliants, such as facial scrubs, a glycolic acid peel doesn't require harsh scrubbing due to its ability to penetrate the skin.

It's also a humectant, meaning it attracts and binds water to skin cells. This can help with anti-aging and wrinkles as it plumps your skin. Glycolic acid can also stimulate the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid in the skin.

Is glycolic acid suitable for all skin types?

Glycolic acid peels are best suited for normal, combination, and oily skin types. However, if your skin is more sensitive or dry, it's wise to be cautious when using this product. It's also important to know that the effective action of the glycolic acid peel removes the upper layers of the skin. This makes the skin more vulnerable to external influences, such as the weather. Therefore, it's important to protect your skin well in strong UV rays, just as it is in other harsh weather conditions.

How do you add it to your skincare routine?

An easy way to incorporate this AHA into your routine is with a cleanser. It doesn't stay in contact with your skin for long and rinses off quickly. It's also a good way to test sensitivity, as glycolic acid is immediately neutralized upon contact with water. Once you're used to it, you can switch to leave-on formulas like toners, serums, and moisturizers, which have a slightly higher concentration. While you can use products like cleansers and toners daily in small amounts, most people find once or twice a week sufficient with stronger concentrations.

The ideal concentration is between eight and fifteen percent. Higher concentrations of glycolic acid naturally provide more intense results and an instant glow, but these should only be used by professionals. Besides the concentration, also pay attention to the pH of your chosen product. Products with a higher pH are formulated to reduce the acid's potency and minimize potential skin irritation. If the pH of your product is between three and four, the strength of the glycolic acid is guaranteed, as indicated on the bottle.