For fighting acne, dark spots, and hyperpigmentation, glycolic acid is now a must-have ingredient. It has become extremely popular in the past few years. In this article, you will learn how to use it properly and why you should have it in your skincare routine.
When to Use Glycolic Acid Peel
Always use glycolic acid at night. It works its magic overnight.
Also, your skin might get sensitive to the sun. So, SPF during the day is an absolute must!
How to Apply Glycolic Acid Peel
After cleansing your face, but glycolic acid on a cotton round and exfoliate for a minute, wiping your face and neck. It will tingle, so be prepared for that.
How Long to Leave Glycolic Acid Peel On Your Face
If you are using a glycolic acid peel, you are going for maximum results and visible difference. But first, you need to build up a tolerance for it.
First few weeks, leave the acid peel on for 15-30 seconds. Then rinse off. And follow with a moisturizer.
Depending on how sensitive your skin is, it may cause irritation, dryness, and discomfort. You might get a strong tingly feeling, but no discomfort. Therefore, you can play with it to make it work for your skin.
How Often Should You Use Glycolic Acid
In the beginning, you can use glycolic acid products 2-3 times a week. You will gradually build up a tolerance. So you can start using it more often.
What Is Glycolic Acid?
Glycolic acid belongs to the category of “fruit”, or alpha-hydroxy, AHA-acids. In nature, it is found in green grapes and sugar cane.
It has a tiny molecule 500x smaller than the ball of a ball pen. In other words, this means that it penetrates deep into the skin and works more effectively than other acids. It is suitable for all skin types and all skin colors.
Benefits of Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acid is one of the best ingredients for clear and healthy skin. It helps to tackle many problems, for example:
- Fades dark spots & hyperpigmentation
Glycolic acid helps break down melanin, according to studies. Which in turn helps fight dark spots, melasma, and pigmentation issues.
- Fights acne, blackheads, and cystic acne.
The acid effectively dissolves sebum, which blocks the pores and leads to acne. Helps maintain your skin balance. Especially, if you have oily or problem skin. Also, research shows that it helps with acne scars.
- Plumps the skin
Cosmetic studies have confirmed that glycolic acid has the ability to increase the production of collagen by the skin. Regular use of glycolic acid improves skin elasticity, reducing the appearance of wrinkles
Potential For Irritation
Glycolic acid can feel too strong for people with sensitive skin. Sometimes it can cause irritation, stinging, or a burning sensation.
Do a patch test first by applying the product behind the ear to test for irritation.
Start slow - two to three times a week. And give your skin time to build tolerance.
Takeaway
Glycolic acid is one of the most effective products among all the chemical exfoliants on the market.
If you use it properly, it helps fight acne and reduce the appearance of dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and wrinkles.
