Glycolic acid is a naturally occurring acid, known as an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) which is found in milk and fruit. AHA’s have been employed for a long time as exfoliants, moisturisers and skin softeners. Some examples of alpha hydroxy acids are glycolic acid and tartaric acid. Salicylic acid is an example of a beta hydroxy acid and is similar in structure. Anti aging creams often contain glycolic acid. There are a wide variety glycolic acid skin care preparations to choose from.
How Do Glycolic Acid Skin Care Products Work?
Glycolic acid is a very small molecule extracted from sugar cane. It is a single chain molecule and among the smallest of the alpha hydroxy acids. Since it is so small it can easily enter the skin where it breaks the links that connect the dead cells to the skin. They can then be easily sloughed off leaving a smooth and more young-looking skin. In addition glycolic acid is a very efficient moisturizer. In one trial there was a 200% increase in skin moisture when glycolic acid was used regularly over a few weeks. Glycolic acid skin care products include creams, gels lotions and peels.
Some Side Effects of Glycolic Acid Peels
Peels containing glycolic acid are the mildest available to purchase and side effects should be mild. They sometimes include redness, stinging and some irritation. Side effects are typically short-lived and will clear up in a few days.
A Word of Caution
Retinol or related vitamin A related products can make the effects of any glycolic acid skin care products more intense. This is specially significant for glycolic acid peels so be careful if you are also using one of these types of products.
Types of Glycolic Acid Skin Care Preparations
Glycolic acid gels, creams and lotions
These types of glycolic acid skin care products are manufactured for every day use as cleansers, moisturisers and exfoliating agents. Lotions and creams are formulated for oily, dry or combination skins. Serums are frequently lighter in consistency and are as a result more appropriate for oily skins.
Glycolic Acid Chemical Peels
At higher levels glycolic acid can be used as a chemical peel to give a deeper treatment than gels and creams. A chemical peel works by literally burning the skin to cause the skin to peel off to expose soft skin beneath. These peels are accessible at your local pharmacy but if if you have never used one before it is advisable to check with a doctor before use to make certain it is suitable for your skin. Glycolic acid peels can be used to eradicate pigmentation, fine lines and dry areas. They are also effective in controlling acne flare ups or to treat sun damaged skin.
Anti-aging Products
There are numerous anti aging skin care products for sale with many different components. Glycolic acid is regularly included in these products, generally mixed with additional ingredients such as Coenzyme Q10 or retinol. A few people might have skin that is too hypersensitive to use a product containing glycolic acid and retinol together so be cautious when using this sort of product and try out on a small area, perhaps on the inner arm, before applying to your face. Additionally be careful to use a sunscreen if you use any product that contains retinol in the daytime as this will make the skin more sensitive to the sun.
Skin Lightening Preparations
Skin lightening products are to be used on discolored areas of the skin resulting from from sun damage or aging. They should not be used all over the face. They can be purchased as gels or creams and generally contain other ingredients for example azelaic acid, hydroquinone and kojic acid.
Eye Gels
Glycolic acid skin care products suitable to treat the fine lines in the region of the eyes include lower concentrations of glycolic acid than creams and gels formulated for the entire face. The skin about the eyes is thinner than in other areas of the face. Glycolic acid eye creams are frequently made with added ingredients, for instance retinol.
Cleaners
Cleansers made with glycolic acid usually have concentrations which vary from 3% to approximately 10%. They can be used for every day exfoliationg and cleansing. Choose a lotion with a lower concentration if this is the first time you have used a glycolic acid cleanser and step up the level as your skin becomes accustomed to it.
Face Masks
These kinds of glycolic acid skin care products have a higher level of active ingredient and are usually used for more intensive, deeper cleaning treatments.
Toners
Toners are mostly used to bring back the skin’s pH prior to other remedies and can increase their effectiveness.
Face Washes
A glycolic acid face wash may be used on a daily basis to give a lovely luminosity to your skin. Though lots of the glycolic acid products that you can buy have a rather high concentration of the active ingredient, face washes have a lot lower concentration and as a result are entirely safe for everyone to use. The one exception to this is if you suffer from any severe skin problems, you should talk to a dermatologist before you use this kind of face wash even though it is not likely that these concentrations will cause any problems.
Final Thoughts
Glycolic acid skin care preparations are used for a wide range of skin therapies and are helpful and by and large gentle. In combination with further ingredients they have a variety of uses and are very popular and widely used in skin care products.
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