What is glycolic acid?
Glycolic acid is from the family of alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) that has the smallest and lightest molecular weight of all acids. This allows the acid to penetrate deep into the skin and help achieve maximum glycolic acid benefits for the skin. Derived from sugarcane, glycolic acid is colourless, odourless, and highly water-soluble in its pure form.
Now that you know about this smallest AHA, let’s learn about the glycolic acid benefits, who should use it, glycolic acid side effects, and more!
Glycolic acid benefits for the skin
Here are some of the amazing glycolic acid benefits for the skin –
Exfoliation
Glycolic acid is an expert exfoliator. This essential ingredient prevents the ingrowth of hair and makes your pores appear smaller by helping the skin get rid of dead skin cells.
Complexion
Want to achieve a glowing complexion? Glycolic acid can make your dream come true. If used religiously and regularly, glycolic acid can help brighten the skin and leave it feeling radiant and glowing.
Acne marks
Is glycolic acid effective for acne spots? The short answer is yes! Glycolic acid cleans out pores and helps to reduce dark spots, acne marks, blackheads, and more. Consider using glycolic acid for hyperpigmentation and start noticing improved results.
Hydration
Wondering how glycolic acid benefits the skin? This superstar ingredient nourishes and plumps the skin, and prevents dryness.
Anti-ageing
Using glycolic acid can be beneficial for fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of ageing as it helps to improve skin moisture levels, stimulate collagen production, promote skin regeneration process, and boost skin elasticity.
Sun damage
Glycolic acid has shown its efficacy in protecting the skin from UVB rays and offering optimal results for sun-induced damage to the skin.
Now that you know about glycolic acid benefits for the skin, let’s understand which skin types can benefit from using it.
Who should use glycolic acid?
The good news is that glycolic acid is great for people with normal, combination and oily skin types. However, people with dry, sensitive skin types can also benefit from using glycolic acid, if used moderately.
How to include glycolic acid in your skincare routine?
There are several glycolic acid uses for the skin. For instance, you can use glycolic acid in the form of a cleanser, serum, eye serum, cream, etc. The best way to achieve maximum glycolic acid benefits is to apply it topically. Here’s a simple yet effective glycolic acid skincare routine that can solve all your skin woes on the go.
Step 1: Cleanser
Cleansing helps to remove dirt, dust, sebum, and impurities from your skin and leaves it feeling fresh and radiant. Kickstart your skincare routine with the L'Oréal Paris Glycolic Bright Daily Foaming Face Cleanser that gently exfoliates, cleanses the skin, and penetrates deep to leave your skin feeling bright. Made with a soft, foamy formulation, it boosts skin renewal and reveals healthy skin with ease.
Step 2: Serum
Achieve maximum glycolic acid benefits by using the L’Oréal Paris Glycolic Bright Skin Brightening Serum regularly. The presence of glycolic acid in this serum helps to even out the basal layer of the skin where melanin starts to build up. Melanin is the pigment that gives your skin its colour and when an excess of it is deposited deep into the skin, it leads to dark spots and uneven skin. The serum helps improve three dimensions of even-toned skin and is proven to remove up to five years of dark spots in just a few weeks.
Step 3: Eye serum
Glycolic acid benefits the under-eye area as well. For instance, the L’Oréal Paris Glycolic Bright Eye Serum is an advanced under-eye care product that helps correct concerns like dark circles, hyperpigmentation, and puffiness with ease. The skincare experts at L’Oréal Paris have formulated this eye serum with 3% Glycolic Acid and combined Vitamin CG, and Niacinamide to remove pigmentation and dullness from the under-eye skin. Designed with a patented Triple Bead Applicator to depuff the under-eye area, this glycolic acid-infused eye serum can erase -49% dark circles in just 2 weeks.
Step 4: Moisturiser
- AM Skincare: Moisturising the skin is non-negotiable, regardless of your skin type. To get umpteen glycolic acid benefits for the skin, moisturise your skin with the L'Oréal Paris Glycolic Bright Day Cream with SPF 17. This cream dives deep into the dermis layer of the skin, hydrates effectively and gives your skin a brighter experience. Made with a lightweight formula and infused with SPF 17, the cream protects the skin from the harsh UV rays of the sun and prevents some major signs of sun damage.
- PM skincare: Hydrate your skin while you enjoy your beauty sleep by using the L'Oréal Paris Glycolic Bright Glowing Night Cream that brightens the skin from the inside. Enriched with glycolic acid and vitamin E, this cream helps to fight dullness, reduces dark spots, and hyperpigmentation and gives you visibly radiant skin every morning by repairing the skin barrier overnight. The presence of encapsulated beads in this cream also removes melanin to reveal even-toned skin.
All the above-mentioned products are dermatologically tested and suitable for all skin types. Now that you know everything about using glycolic acid for the face, we’re here to help you understand more about using glycolic acid on other parts of the body. Another body part that is susceptible to hyperpigmentation is our underarms. Fortunately, Glycolic acid can work wonders for the underarms as well.
The hype about glycolic acid for underarms
The armpit has a normal pH balance of 5.5. However, when bacteria live and thrive there, you tend to notice uneven skin tone. When sweat is produced, the bacteria break down the chemicals. This in turn causes odour and discolouration in the underarms. Wondering how to solve this dilemma? Let glycolic acid benefit your underarm area. Apart from the tricks and trades to cure the discolouration that comes with sweat, glycolic acid is one of the best ingredients to deal with this situation effectively.
How does glycolic acid work for underarms?
Glycolic acid benefits your underarm area by balancing your armpit’s pH levels. The deep penetration of glycolic acid can easily restore balance of your underarms and dislodge bacteria that is breaking down the sweat. This, in turn, creates a fresh, clean, and even-toned environment. It works for people with different skin types and can be found in body care products such as deodorants, body washes and more.
How to use glycolic acid for the underarms safely?
Glycolic acid benefits (safely) the armpit when used in small doses. Applying high concentrations of it can damage your skin’s protective barrier and lead to unforeseen side effects and worsen your condition rather than improving it. Some side effects can be irritation, aggravated hyperpigmentation and more, especially for people with sensitive skin.
However, while including this AHA into your regular skincare routine, you also need to keep the glycolic acid side effects in mind. Read ahead to know more.
Things to keep in mind while using glycolic acid for the skin
In general, glycolic acid is safe and works well for all skin types. However, to avoid any side effects and keep your skin feeling healthy, here are a few things to know before using glycolic acid and they are as follows –
• Wear sunscreen every time you use glycolic acid products.
• Allow your skin to get used to the acid. Start by using it three times a week or so and increase glycolic acid use gradually, especially if you’re one with sensitive skin.
• Use products with lower content of glycolic acid and unless your skin feels irritated, keep using glycolic acid products to achieve visible results.
Now that you know about glycolic acid benefits, glycolic acid uses for the skin, etc, it’s time to include it in your regular skincare routine right away. So, what are you waiting for? Browse through the wide range of L'Oréal Glycolic Bright and choose a cleanser, day cream, night cream, and more! Build an effective glycolic acid-based skincare routine and use the products religiously and regularly to flaunt the healthy skin of your dreams. Need help with your skincare routine? Head towards the L'Oréal Paris Skin Genius tool and get a personalised skincare ritual based on your preferences, skin type, and sensitivity.
