29th Aug 2017
How Can Glycolic Acid Benefit My Skin?
Glycolic acid is a very effective and multi-purpose exfoliator that brightens the skin and restores a healthy pH to your skin. It can help to remove hyperpigmentation, blackheads and acne scars.
Glycolic acid is available in many different cosmetic preparations, from over the counter lotions to medical grade facial peels. The chemical works to rejuvenate skin by penetrating the uppermost layer of the epidermis. It then helps break apart the dead, damaged skin cells for easier removal and exposes the healthier new layer of skin underneath. So, Glycolic acid can help fade the effects of hyperpigmentation by gradually peeling away dark marks and scars.
Products with Glycolic Acid, range in percentage of concentration and pH levels.
Before you choose a glycolic acid lotion, you should consider your skin type, what type of problem you are trying to treat, and whether your skin will react well to this type of acid. While glycolic acid is considered one of the more gentle AHAs, it can still cause irritation, if you have very sensitive skin, so this is something to consider when you’re choosing a glycolic acid lotion.
The most effective lotions have a concentration of glycolic acid of 5 to 10%, but higher concentrations can pose a greater risk of irritation. So, if your skin is not used to it, we recommend that you don't use higher tan 10% concentration.
By exfoliating and renewing the skin, a 10% glycolic acid treatment not only evens out skin discolourations, it also helps to minimise sun damage, acne scars, fine lines and wrinkles.
AHA's such as Glycolic Acid can help other ingredients in skin lightening treatments by allowing them to penetrate deeper into the skin.
If you have never used glycolic acid lotion before, you should use it sparingly until you see how it is going to affect your skin. Then you can start applying it more often as your skin becomes used to it. For best results, use the lotion twice a day and overnight so that the acid works on loosening dead skin cells overnight and makes your daytime treatments much more productive.