There are many chemical exfoliators on the market, they are more gentle than physical exfoliators. This article looks at if the daily use of glycolic acid is a good idea.
Glycolic acid is a chemical exfoliator, it removes dead skin cells from your skin using enzymes in the formula. You can use it every other day or twice a week, it is not gentle enough to be used daily. If you use it daily you can over-exfoliate and damage your skin.
Modern skincare has come a long way, there are so many products nowadays that do wonders for our skin, especially skincare acids.
We have access to many skincare amazing acids in these days. From hyaluronic acid to lactic acid to glycolic acid.
They work to exfoliate the skin and or resurface the skin for a more beautiful radiant, supple complexion.
Some acids can be used daily and other acids really shouldn’t. This article looks at if the daily use of glycolic acid a good idea or a no go.
Table of Contents
What is glycolic acid?
Glycolic acid is an ingredient that occurs naturally in nature. It’s a derivative of milk, fruit and sweet plants which include sugar beets and sugar cane.
This is an effective glycolic acid.
Glycolic acid is used to chemically exfoliate the skin. To do this it removes the dead skin cells from the top layer of skin.
The acid separates the top dead skin cells from the fresher ones below by breaking the bonds that hold them together.
This results in dead cells detaching and sloughing off from the face revealing new fresh skin cells. This results in skin that is fresh, new and radiant.
Is glycolic acid good for skin?
Yes, it is good for the skin for a variety of reasons.
It’s used to exfoliate the skin: it’s effective in removing the dead skin cells that are on the top layer of your skin giving you a smooth complexion and fresh, soft, supple skin.
As a long term treatment, it can help with discolouration, the signs of ageing and scarring. It is a universal product that can be used on all skin types.
The acid is also a well-loved humectant. Humectants bring water from the air in the environment and deliver it into the skin.
Another way to deal with discolouration and signs of ageing is by using an at-home LED mask.
This article looks at the best at-home LED mask for wrinkles and discolouration.
What percentage of glycolic acid is safe?
A good percentage of glycolic acid to use is 10 percent. At this percentage, if the product irritates the skin then it can be washing off with water.
If you use a higher percentage of glycolic acid and it irritates the skin it can’t be neutralised by water and will negatively affect your skin.
You also need to apply the product exactly as the instructions instruct for you to have a safe experience.
If you use a product that has higher than 10 percent glycolic acid concentration then it needs to be used under the supervision of a dermatologist.
Even if you use an online professional grade type acid anything can go wrong if you go over 10 percent.
Products such as creams, face washes, toners and serums usually have 10 percent glycolic acid in them.
What are the side effects and risks of use?
If the product is not applied correctly or if you use too much product you run the risk of burning the skin.
Mild skin irritation can develop on the skin. This happens less frequently as the skin becomes more used to the product.
Note that this can be accompanied by redness, itching, swelling and discolouration of the skin.
Is it ok to use glycolic acid every day?
No, it is not recommended to use glycolic acid every day. This can result in an overuse of the product.
If you overuse this product or any other skincare acid for that matter you can cause the skin to get red and raw from the over-exfoliation.
The redness and rawness will be accompanied by dryness and possibly burns.
You can use this acid every other day to avoid you overstimulating the skin. Only deviate from this rule if you are instructed by a skincare professional who knows your skin and is helping you improve it.
Which is better retinol or glycolic acid?
These products do different things.
The glycolic acid separates the dead skin cells from the new fresh skin cells and retinol promotes skin cell turnover.
Both of these products will help exfoliate your skin but in different ways.
Because they aren’t doing the same thing you’re better off using both of them in order to improve your skincare routine.
When both are used in your overall routine the skin remains fresh, new and rejuvenated. Just make sure you alternate between the two products.
You can start using glycolic acid earlier in life. You can then incorporate your retinoid later into your 20’s.
By this time your rate of collagen production will have slowed down. If you want to promote more collagen production you will need to use a retinoid.
Note: you will go through a retinol purging period when you start using retinol. This is an effective retinol.
Safety:
When you start using this acid your skin might need time to get used to it.
In addition, for safety, you should start off with a lower percentage of glycolic acid to avoid irritating your skin.
You might notice some flaking of the skin when you start using this acid. You should use a good moisturiser (like this one) to help prevent flaking, you also need to avoid picking at the skin.
If you pick at it can cause a scar and hyperpigmentation. Here are other ways you can deal with the flaking.
Many of the skincare acids we use make the skin sensitive to the sun. This can result in more severe sun damage if the skin is not protected adequately.
Be sure to wear a good sunscreen (like this one) when you use glycolic acid. Here are ways to avoid looking shiny from sunscreen.
How long does it take to see results from glycolic acid?
If you’re using glycolic acid in everyday products such as face washes, toners, masks or creams then you can expect to see results in a few weeks of using these products.
If you use a glycolic acid peel on a regular basis you’ll see results in the form of smoother skin after using the peel 6-10 times.
After 6-10 peels the skin will look smoother, more glowing and healthier. In some cases, people have reported to seeing a change in their skin after two to three peels, this isn’t an across the board result but it’s possible.
What percentage of glycolic acid is effective?
A safe, at-home glycolic acid concentration is 10 percent, this is how much glycolic acid is usually found in many face washes, cleansers, masks and toners, it is effective for everyday use.
When talking about facial peels, an effective concentration of glycolic acid is 30 percent, this is what is called high normal.
Dermatologists can go as far as using 70 percent glycolic acid. This high percentage is very effective but should only be used by a trained professional.
Does glycolic acid lighten skin?
Not glycolic acid won’t lighten your skin, but it will brighten your skin. All exfoliators brighten your skin to a certain extent.
When you exfoliate, you remove the dead skin cell off the top of your face. This process removes sun-damaged cells from your face but the process won’t make your skin lighter.
The pigment and uneven skin tone that develops on our skin as a result of age, sun spots, acne scars or melisma can accumulate over time darkening patches of skin.
The glycolic acid will remove the damaged dead skin cells leaving you brighter skin
Can you use glycolic acid and vitamin C together?
Yes, you can use glycolic acid and vitamin C together, but they perform better when used separately. The products have different ph levels so they’ll work better when not mixed.
Glycolic acid has a ph value of 5 while vitamin C has a ph value of 3. Using them together won’t allow them to work at their full potential.
That being said, don’t worry if you find a product that contains both these ingredients, if you don’t have sensitive skin your skin won’t get irritated or harmed by a product that contains both.
Note: If you have sensitive skin then you can get some mild irritation from using these two products together.
Vitamin C serum on its own generally won’t cause irritation. If you feel irritation after using vitamin C serum read why this may be happening here, if your vitamin C serum is causing breakouts read this
This vitamin C serum is well-loved and widely used.
How long can I leave 10% glycolic acid on my face?
If you’re using a product that contains a low glycolic acid concentration, like 10 percent, then you can use it on your face and let it absorb into your skin, no need to wash out.
These types of products are generally formulated to be left in.
If you’re using a product with a higher concentration of glycolic acid, like a peel, then you need to follow the peel instructions as it will indicate how long you should leave the acid on your face for.
What is the best glycolic acid product?
The best glycolic acid product is the Glycolic Acid Facial Peel 30% – With Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid by Instanatural.
This is a skin peel that can be done at home and is safe and effective to use. The peel will exfoliate your skin giving you smother fresher, more glowing looking skin
If you suffer from excess oil, breakouts, premature ageing or a rough and dull complexion then this product will work wonders for your skin.
The exfoliating properties of the peel remove any dirt on and in your skin, it also helps to minimise breakouts.
Age spots and fine lines will also be improved by this product as it exfoliates your skin giving you fresher younger-looking skin.
In addition to exfoliating, this product contains hyaluronic acid and vitamin C.
Hyaluronic acid is one of the best humectants as it can hold up to 6 parts water to one part hyaluronic acid, the acid penetrates deep into the skin to deliver this hydration.
The combination of vitamin A, C and sunflower seed oil will nourish your skin making your skin look and feel healthier.
Can you use too much aha?
If you use too much AHA’s you can develop side effects, one of the side effects of using too much AHA’s is over-exfoliation.
Over exfoliation can lead to you damaging the skins moisture barrier.
If this happens your skin will become more sensitive to products and external pollutants.
Any products you use on the skin and any external pollutants will irritate your skin.
This can also lead to redness, excessive shine, excessive smoothness on your skin, peeling, flaking as well as inflamed skin and acne inflammation.
Other side effects of using too much AHA’s are burning, blisters, itching and eczema.
Can I put glycolic acid under my eyes?
Yes, you can use glycolic acid under your eyes.
The skin under the eyes is one of the most vulnerable and delicate areas of skin on your face. For this reason, this skin needs more care and attention.
In addition, there is a higher chance of it developing dark circles, wrinkles and puffiness.
You need to gently exfoliate this area in order for it to stay looking fresh and smooth. When you remove the dead skin cells from the top layer of skin the area will look better
You can’t use a regular glycolic acid for this area, you need to use a glycolic acid product that specially formulated and ph balanced to be used under your eyes.
If you use a glycolic acid cream on the skin under your eyes the skin will even out and the texture will improve, the skin will look more glowy and less dull and your under-eye area will look more firm.
If your eye serum is causing burning on the skin under your eyes you should stop using it. Read why you may be feeling burning and irritation by clicking here.
Can I use glycolic acid in the morning?
It isn’t recommended that you use glycolic acid in the mooring. You shouldn’t be using AHA’s or BHA’s in the morning because they can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.
There is a time for AHA’s and BHA’s and that’s at night when your skin won’t be exposed to the sun.
Using glycolic acid at night is a better decision because it will create the optimum environment for your skin to rejuvenate itself.
Our skin sheds old skin cells and creates new skin cells at night.
Using your glycolic acid at night ensures that this process happens more effectively.
If you really feel that you need to use your glycolic acid in the morning then you need to make sure that you’re wearing a high SPF sunscreen (like this one) and apply it every 2 hours.
Which is better for acne glycolic or salicylic acid?
The better product for acne is salicylic acid.
Glycolic acid and salicylic acid are both hydroxy acids so they do the same job of exfoliating the skin but they exfoliate differently thus they can be used for different skin issues.
Salicylic acid is a BHA, it is oil soluble end can penetrate deep into the skin and are clean out your pores.
Glycolic acid is water-soluble and separates the dead skin cells from the new ones by loosening the glue that binds them
If you have issues with scarring, hyperpigmentation or wrinkles then glycolic acid will help as it encourages cell turnover.
Using it will bring new fresh cells to the surface of the skin and get rid of the old damaged cells.
Salicylic acid will exfoliate away any excess oil and dead skin cell in your pores.
This will help you deal with acne, blackheads whitehead and any other skin blemishes caused by clogged pores.
Can I mix glycolic acid and salicylic acid?
You can use both these acids on your skin but not in the same skincare routine and you can’t mix them.
The two ingredients work on your skin in a similar but different way. They also penetrate your skin at different levels, using the at once will result in over-exfoliation of the skin.
If you feel the need, you can alternate between the two products depending on how your skin is reacting.
Should I moisturise after using glycolic acid?
Yes, you should definitely moisturise your skin after you use glycolic acid.
After you exfoliate your face the skin can become sensitive and dry because you’ve just removed your top later of dead skin cells from your face.
For this reason, it is important that you use a good moisturiser after the acid. If you don’t moisturise after the peel you can be left with flaking and peeling skin.
To avoid this from happening, you need to use a nourishing, hydrating and moisturising face moisturiser to keep your skin healthy and supple.
The moisturiser will also reinforce the effects if your glycolic acid making your skin look even better.
This moisturiser is well-loved and widely used.
Which is better glycolic acid or hyaluronic acid?
Both these compounds do different things, comparing them is like comparing apples and oranges. Glycolic acid is an exfoliator, it removes dead skin cells from your face.
Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, it attracts water molecules to itself and deposits this water deep into your skin plumping them up and hydrating your skin cells to give you supple skin.
These products can be used in the same skincare routine, the hydraulic aid will moisturise after the glycolic acid exfoliates.
This hyaluronic acid is well-loved and widely used.
I hope you enjoyed this article looking at the daily use of glycolic acid on the skin.
Remember to avoid using this acid daily, rather use it every other day or twice a week. This way you won’t over-exfoliate and damage your skin.
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