Using Glycolic Acid Skin Care Products – Some Tips

Posted on August 21, 2009
Filed Under Alternative Treatments | Leave a Comment

Glycolic acid is an acid that occurs naturally, known as an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) which is found in fruit and milk. Alpha hydroxy acids have been employed for a long time as moisturisers, skin softeners and exfoliants. Examples of alpha hydroxy acids are glycolic acid and tartaric acid. Salicylic acid is an example of a beta hydroxy acid and is similar in structure. Anti wrinkle and anti aging preparations frequently include glycolic acid. There are a wide variety glycolic acid skin care products to choose from.


How Do Glycolic Acid Skin Care Products Work?

Glycolic acid is an extremely small molecule extracted from sugar cane. It is a single chain molecule and among the smallest of the AHA’s. Because it is so minute it can easily enter the skin where it breaks the attachments that connect the dead cells to the skin. They can then be easily sloughed off leaving a soft and more youthful looking skin. Also glycolic acid is an exceptionally efficient moisturiser. In one investigation there was a 200% improvement in the moisture of the skin when glycolic acid was used on a regular basis for four or five weeks. Glycolic acid skin care products include lotions, creams, gels and peels.

Some Side Effects of Glycolic Acid Peels

Peels which contain glycolic acid are the mildest that are sold and side effects ought to be mild. They may include irritation, redness and perhaps stinging. Side effects are usually short-lived and will go away in a few days.

A Word of Advice

Retinol or related derivatives of vitamin A can make the effects of some glycolic acid skin care products more severe. This is particularly important for glycolic acid peels so take care if you are also using one of these types of products.

Types of Glycolic Acid Skin Care Preparations

Glycolic acid gels, lotions and creams

These glycolic acid skin care products are intended for every day use as cleansers, exfoliating agents and moisturisers. Creams and lotions are manufactured for combination, oily or dry skins. Serums are usually much lighter in consistency and are as a result more appropriate for oily skins.

Glycolic Acid Chemical Peels

At higher concentrations glycolic acid can be used as a chemical peel to give a deeper treatment than gels and creams. A chemical peel works by literally blistering the skin so that the skin ‘peels’ off to expose smooth skin beneath. Glycolic acid skin peels are accessible over the counter but if you haven’t used one before it is advisable to consult a doctor beforehand to make certain the product is suitable for your skin. Glycolic acid peels can be used to remove pigmentation and fine lines. They are also useful in controlling acne flare ups or to improve skin damaged by the sun.

Anti Aging Products

There are many anti aging skin care products on the market with a wide range of components. Glycolic acid is regularly included in these products, frequently blended with supplementary ingredients for instance retinol or Coenzyme Q10. A few people might have skin that is too hypersensitive to use a product containing glycolic acid and retinol at the same time so be careful when using this sort of product and try out on a small spot, perhaps on the inner arm, before using on your face. In addition be careful to use a sunscreen if you use any product that contains retinol during the day as this does make the skin more susceptible to the sun’s rays.

Skin Lightening Preparations

Skin lightening products are to be used on areas of the skin that are discolored from damage from the sun or aging. They must not be used over the whole of the face. They can be purchased as gels or creams and generally contain other ingredients such as hydroquinone, azelaic acid and kojic acid.

Eye Gels

Glycolic acid skin care products suitable to take care of the fine lines in the region of the eyes contain lower levels of glycolic acid than the gels and creams formulated for the complete face. The skin about the eyes is thinner and more sensitive than other areas of the face. Glycolic acid eye gels are usually made with added ingredients such as retinol.

Cleaners

Cleansers formulated with glycolic acid usually have levels varying from 3% to around 10%. They may be used for every day cleansing and exfoliating. Select a lotion with a lower level if this is the first occasion you have used a glycolic acid cleaner and step up the level as your skin becomes accustomed to it.

Face Masks

These types of glycolic acid skin care products have a higher level of active ingredient and are as a rule used for more intensive, deeper cleaning procedures.

Toners

Toners are usually used to restore the pH of the skin ahead of other treatments and can increase their efficiency.

Face Washes

A glycolic acid face wash can be used on a daily basis to give a wonderful radiance to your skin. While lots of the glycolic acid products that are for sale have a rather high concentration of glycolic acid, face washes have a much lower concentration and consequently are completely safe for everyone to use. The single exception is if you suffer from any serious skin problems, you should chat to a dermatologist before you use this form of face wash even though it is unlikely that these concentrations will cause any problems.


Final Thoughts
Glycolic acid skin care products are used for a variety of skin therapies and are effective and in general gentle. In combination with further ingredients they have a variety of uses and are very popular and widely used in skin care products.

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