The Benefits and Uses of Glycolic Acid in Skincare

KOMPAS.com – Glycolic acid is an active skincare ingredient that is often used to treat and repair various skin problems.

Glycolic acid can be found in skin care products, such as serum, lotion, moisturizer, toner, and masks.

For more details, find out what glycolic acid is, its benefits, and how to use it for skincare through the article below.

Also read: Skincare Glycolic Acid Can’t Be Mixed With Anything?

What is glycolic acid?

Quoting Self, glycolic acid or glycolic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) which is colorless, odorless, and comes from sugar cane.

This active ingredient is a type of chemical exfoliant that helps remove dead skin cells, thereby making skin smoother, brighter and younger.

How glycolic acid works can easily penetrate the skin to the inside compared to other types of AHA, such as lactic acid. That is why this substance is very commonly found in several skincare products.

Also read: Get to know what AHA BHA is, its contents, and its benefits for Skincare

Manfaat glycolic acid

According to WebMd, glycolic acid is an active ingredient that helps stimulate the skin’s natural exfoliation. Following are some of the potential benefits of glycolic acid:

The benefits of glycolic acid for acne come from the antibacterial P. acnes content contained in this active ingredient. P. acnes is a bacteria that causes inflammatory acne. Regularly using this skincare can help reduce mild to moderate acne.

Applying glycolic acid to the skin can also reduce wrinkles and signs of aging and skin damage caused by the sun.

Helps remove acne scars

Glycolic acid’s function in removing dead skin cells can have the effect of reducing acne scars or hyperpigmentation and making the skin look fresh and radiant.

Reduces dark spots on the skin

In treating melasma or dark spots, glycolic acid can be used to suppress the formation of melanin pigment in the skin.

This is done by inhibiting the action of tyrosinase, an enzyme that normally speeds up the complex process by which melanin pigment is produced by certain types of skin cells. That way, dark spots on the skin can be reduced.

These diverse benefits make glycolic acid the active ingredient of choice for those who want to improve the appearance of their skin.

Also read: Get to know what Retinol is, its function and how to use it for beginners

How to use glycolic acid for skincare

Reporting from the Masterclass, glycolic acid must be used in the right way so that the beneficial effects felt by the skin can be maximized. Here are several ways to use glycolic acid in the correct order for using skincare:

Glycolic acid can make skin more susceptible to sunlight. For this reason, always use skincare products containing glycolic acid at night, and make sure to use sunscreen with a high SPF in the morning, especially when doing outdoor activities.

As a skin care ingredient, glycolic acid is sometimes combined with salicylic acid in daily facial cleansers made for acne-prone skin. This solution usually contains a lower concentration of glycolic acid, so it can be used daily as a facial cleanser.

You can use some skin toners that contain glycolic acid in lower concentrations as nighttime skincare. The benefits can help brighten, tighten and smooth the skin.

Using glycolic acid for chemical exfoliation requires using a high concentration of glycolic acid, namely up to seventy percent. However, the use of this ingredient in high doses needs to be under the supervision of a dermatologist.

Always use moisturizer after use

Glycolic acid will help exfoliate dead skin cells, which can irritate or make the skin dry. For this reason, you can use a moisturizer to reduce the effects of dryness and irritation on the skin after using this active ingredient.

Avoid additional scrubs or exfoliants

Avoid additional exfoliation such as using a scrub when you use glycolic acid. The reason is, too much exfoliation can cause dry skin and increase the risk of severe irritation.

Also read: Can Retinol Skincare Be Mixed With Anything?

Glycolic acid safety instructions

Please note, according to the Verywell Family, the active ingredient glycolic acid for pregnant women is safe to use. The benefits of using this skincare for pregnant women are in improving skin condition due to the effects of pregnancy.

Glycolic acid is also a skincare ingredient that is safe to use post-pregnancy, so it can be an alternative skincare option during pregnancy and breastfeeding. However, it must be used with a low content, namely 7 percent or less.

To be safer, pregnant women who want to use it can consult further with an obstetrician and dermatologist to be given the best advice and recommendations.

For your information, glycolic acid for the skin tends to be more irritating than other chemical exfoliants, so it can more easily cause side effects.

The side effects of this skincare ingredient can generally cause itching, a sensation of burning skin, swelling, and even sensitivity when exposed to sunlight. For this reason, you can use sunscreen every day to protect your skin.

That’s the explanation about glycolic acid, its benefits, and how to use it for skincare on the skin. Hope it is useful.

Also read: Get to know what Niacinamide is, its content, function and side effects

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2023-09-15 05:01:00
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