What Is Glycolic Acid?
Glycolic acid is derived from sugarcane and belongs to the family of alpha-hydroxy acids. It has the smallest and lightest molecular weight among all acids, which makes it easier to penetrate deep into the skin and provide maximum benefits. Glycolic acid is odourless, colourless, and highly soluble in water.
It is added to treatments designed for oily or acne-prone skin, dry skin, dull complexions, sun-damaged skin, and mature skin. Glycolic acid was once used only on oily or acne-prone skin. Nowadays, it's recommended by dermatologists for all skin types, depending on the formula. It regulates seborrhoea on young or oily skin, and moisturises and brightens mature or dry skin, depending on the amount of glycolic acid in each treatment (between 2 and 15%). However, be warned that it can sometimes irritate sensitive skin.
Now that you know what is glycolic acid, let’s understand the glycolic acid benefits for the skin in detail and why you should consider adding it to your skincare ritual.
Glycolic Acid Benefits For Skin
Learn more about what are the benefits of glycolic acid for skin below
1. Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
This is one of the major glycolic acid benefits for the skin. It reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by exfoliating the top layer of the skin. This, in turn, accelerates skin cell renewal, increases collagen production, and maintains the skin’s natural ability to retain hydration while preventing and reducing fine lines and wrinkles when used regularly. Apart from dissolving dead skin cells, glycolic acid also flattens the skin’s surface, leaves it feeling even and makes wrinkles less noticeable.
2. Hydrates the skin
Moisturisation is the key to healthy skin and using glycolic acid for skin helps you unlock it. It is categorised as a humectant that attracts water molecules to itself, leaving the skin feeling hydrated.
3. Makes the skin feel bright and smooth
One of the main glycolic acid benefits for the face is that its little molecules go deep beneath your skin’s surface and eliminate dead skin cells. This reveals fresh, baby-soft skin that is bright, smooth, and radiant.
4. Fades hyperpigmentation
Using glycolic acid for hyperpigmentation is great as it regularly helps fade mild hyperpigmentation like dark spots and age spots. Wondering how? Hyperpigmentation happens when the skin’s surface changes its colour, i.e., it starts becoming darker and the skin underneath remains less pigmented. Glycolic acid helps with hyperpigmentation by removing darker skin cells from the surface to reveal a fresh layer of even skin. This glycolic acid benefit for the face can only be achieved with regular use.
5. Fights acne
Using glycolic acid for oily skin as well as acne-prone is great as it exfoliates dead skin cells that tend to clog pores and trigger breakouts.
6. Allows penetration of ingredients
Glycolic acid’s exfoliation properties not only accelerate skin cell rejuvenation but also allow deeper penetration of other skincare ingredients and help achieve maximum benefits. When your skincare products penetrate better and deeper, they work their magic and give you faster results. Thus, using glycolic acid for skin can be beneficial while applying other products as well.
7. Maintains your skin’s lipids
You need to understand that even though glycolic acid melts away dead skin cells, your lipids remain intact. Now, what are lipids? Lipids are healthy fatty acids that make up the skin’s bouncy barrier while keeping the hydration in and the bad stuff out.
Now that you’re aware of what does glycolic acid do to the skin, let us tell you how you can include this star ingredient into your regular skincare routine and get the most out of it.
Glycolic Acid Routine
Here’s an easy yet effective glycolic acid routine to reveal healthy skin with ease -
• Step 1: Glycolic acid cleanser
The first step in a glycolic acid skincare routine is to eliminate dirt, dust, impurities, and makeup residue with the L'Oréal Paris Glycolic Bright Daily Foaming Face Cleanser that leaves your skin feeling fresh and radiant. This glycolic acid cleanser exfoliates the skin gently by penetrating deep within and revealing healthy skin. It is made with a soft, foamy formulation that doesn’t cause any irritation to your skin.
