Why Glycolic Acid Is a Must-Have Ingredient in Your Skincare Routine

No hyperbole— in the world of skincare, glycolic acid is a true-blue star. There are a lot of ingredients derived that enhance your skin while restoring the damage done by the environmental aggressors. And if you’ve tried all the brightening creams and exfoliating serums and still haven’t found an effective solution to tackle dullness, spots, uneven skin tone, it's time that you add glycolic acid to your skincare stash. 

Some of us fear the word acid being used in our skincare products but what is a lesser-known fact is that all acids aren’t harmful and in fact, they do more good than other commonly known ingredients. And glycolic acid works wonders to transform your dull complexion into glowing skin just like that. Well, it’s a kinda secret to healthy skin (well, not a secret anymore). One of the major advantages of this acid is that it does more than treat breakouts as it can also tackle dullness, signs of aging, hyperpigmentation. Keep scrolling to know what magical ingredient- Glycolic Acid can do to your skin. 

What is Glycolic Acid?

Glycolic Acid is an Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA), a carbon and organic-containing molecule. Made from sugarcane, it’s a popular ingredient known for its exfoliation properties and is mostly used in exfoliators and toners that help to deep cleanse skin while making your skin look soft and smooth. 

Glycolic Acid boosts skin cell turnover that ultimately makes your skin look younger and feel fresh and healthy. It has no side effects on your skin and it reacts with the top layer of your skin and breaks down the excess sebum and other substances that bring all skin cells together helping it look young with a rich radiance. One fact about this acid is that it works immediately and you can see the effect easily. Also, always be considerate about the concentration of the acid you invest in your skincare based on your skin type and concerns. Trust us, you’ll see healthy radiance instantaneously! 

What are the benefits of glycolic acid for skin!

Glycolic Acid brings healthy skin by giving you fresher, smoother, and glowing skin besides offering a host of other skin benefits, let’s dig in deeper. 

• Anti-Aging

When you think of anti-aging, think of glycolic acid. This acid helps to boost collagen production in your skin. Did you just say what’s collagen? Collagen is a fibrous protein found in the dermis that keeps our skin firm and diminishing the levels of collagen can lead to fine lines, sagging skin, and wrinkles. 

• Exfoliation

Our skin has layers of dead skin cells that reach the topmost surface and shed. And there could be dead skin cell buildup due to lack of proper exfoliation, cleansing, and even direct exposure to sunlight. This accumulation of dead skin cells leads to aging and dull skin. And this is where Glycolic acid works as an excellent exfoliant that helps to get rid of the top layer of the skin to reveal a healthy layer. 

Quench Mama Cica Instabright Peel Pads are a perfect addition to your skincare routine. Unique and easy to use, these exfoliate and brighten your skin instantly. These pre-soaked single-use peeling pads are formulated using a unique blend of glycolic acid and papaya extracts that gently exfoliate, promote cell renewal and help in revealing clearer-looking, spotless and smooth skin. 

• Fights Acne

If you have acne-prone or irritant skin, glycolic acid is beneficial for you. The root cause of acne is when our hair follicles get clogged with excess oil, grime, dirt, bacteria, and dead skin cells. And that’s when Glycolic acid helps in removing the dead skin cell build-up and improves breakouts and acne over the period. 

• Preps Your Skin 

With its exfoliating properties, glycolic acid enables your skin to absorb further skincare products easily. After achieving smooth and healthy skin with glycolic acid, our skin gets ready for a dose of anti-aging serums and acne treatment products. 

Tips to keep in mind when using glycolic acid in your skincare routine

Most of the glycolic acid enriched products are safe and effective for all skin types, however, sometimes it can even lead to dryness. So, investing in a good moisturiser and sunscreen is mandatory. 

• If you are planning to step out in the sun for a longer period, skip glycolic acid products as it can make your skin susceptible to damage. 
• One must be prepared for a slight tingling sensation but it disappears after a point. 
• If you’re a newbie, try using glycolic acid in low concentrations at first as higher concentrations can cause flaking and redness. 
• Like any other AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid), this acid can make your skin sensitive to the sun. 
• If you spot flaking and dryness during the initial days, don’t pick at your skin as it may lead to hyperpigmentation and scarring. 

How to incorporate glycolic acid in your daily skincare regime

Glycolic acid is found in chemical peels that help to treat your skin concerns like dark patches, acne scars, age spots, and melasma. One can invest this acid in their skincare routine in the form of peels, cleansers, and creams. Skincare products containing this acid address multiple skin concerns such as scarring, wrinkles, pigmentation, and fine lines. The answer to the question on which skin type glycolic acid will work the best lies on your skin type, skin concerns, age, and your skin’s tolerance level. It is highly effective if you have normal, combination, or oily skin types. However, if you have extremely sensitive or dry skin, Glycolic acid may not be for you. If you have sensitive skin, there are chances that your skin might react to glycolic acid. Meanwhile, a cleanser with a lower percentage of this acid can be used every day, and cream with a higher level of glycolic acid can be included in your night care regime. 

Skincare ingredients you should NEVER mix when using glycolic acid

One may use skin care products containing glycolic acid in the ratio of 10% every day but the peels contain 20 to 30% of the active and that can be used once every six months. And if you are someone who invests in acids in their skincare routine, know what all ingredients you shouldn’t combine with glycolic acid.  

• Refrain yourself from using retinol with glycolic acid together
• Don’t mix vitamin C and glycolic acid as vitamin C tends to lose its efficacy 
• Make sure you avoid using vitamin B3 as it needs a neutral pH to work effectively on your skin as glycolic acid has a very low pH level

One must be sure and should know that active products put your skin at risk. The right and best thing is sticking to lower concentration! Summing it, Glycolic Acid is the *star* active who has all the benefits in it. But always use it minimally and make sure your skin is well protected with sunscreen as your last skincare regime step!