Some information on Glycolic Acid Skin Care Products
Glycolic acid is an organic acid, known as an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) which can be found in milk and fruit. Alpha hydroxy acids have been used for a long time as moisturisers, skin softeners and exfoliants. Some examples of AHA’s are tartaric acid and glycolic acid. Salicylic acid is an example of a beta hydroxy acid and is similar in structure. Anti aging and anti wrinkle creams often include glycolic acid. There are lots of glycolic acid skin care products to choose from.
How Do Glycolic Acid Skin Care Preparations Work?
Glycolic acid is a very small molecule extracted from sugar cane. It is a single chain molecule and among the smallest of the AHA’s. Because it is so tiny 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 smooth and more youthful looking skin. Also glycolic acid is an extremely powerful moisturiser. In one experiment there was a 200% improvement in skin moisture when glycolic acid was used on a regular basis over a few weeks. Glycolic acid skin care products include gels, creams and lotions.
Some Side Effects of Glycolic Acid Peels
Peels containing glycolic acid are the gentlest available to purchase so side effects ought to be mild. They sometimes include stinging, redness and some irritation. Side effects are mostly fleeting and will go away in a day or two.
A Word of Warning
Retinol or related vitamin A related products can make the effects of any glycolic acid skin care products more severe. This is particularly notable for glycolic acid peels so be careful if you are also using one of these types of products.
Types of Glycolic Acid Skin Care Products
Glycolic acid gels, lotions and creams
These types of glycolic acid skin care products are intended for daily use as cleansers, exfoliating agents and moisturisers. Lotions and creams are formulated for dry, oily or combination skins. Serums are frequently much lighter in texture and are consequently more appropriate for oily skins.
Glycolic Acid Chemical Peels
At higher concentrations glycolic acid is used as a chemical peel to give a more intense treatment than creams and gels. A chemical peel works by literally burning the skin to allow the skin to peel off to leave smooth skin below. These types of peels are accessible OTC but if if you are using one for the first time it is wise to seek advice from a doctor before use to make certain the product is suitable for your skin. Glycolic acid peels are used to eradicate pigmentation and fine lines. In addition they are useful in controlling acne flare ups or to treat sun damaged skin.
Anti Aging Preparations
There are many anti aging skin care products on the market with many different components. Glycolic acid is regularly included in these products, typically in combination with supplementary ingredients for instance Coenzyme Q10 or retinol. A few individuals may have skin that is too hypersensitive to use a product that contains glycolic acid and retinol at the same time so be cautious when using this kind of product and put to the test on a small area, possibly on the inner arm, before applying to your face. Furthermore be sure to use a high factor sunscreen if you use any product that contains retinol in the day as this does make the skin more hypersensitive to the sun’s rays.
Skin Lightening Products
Skin lightening products are made for use on small areas of skin discoloration from damage from the sun or aging. They are not to be used over the whole of the face. They can be purchased as gels or creams and usually contain additional ingredients such as azelaic acid, hydroquinone and kojic acid.
Eye Creams
Glycolic acid skin care products suitable to deal with the fine lines around the eyes contain much lower levels of glycolic acid than gels and creams formulated for the whole face. The skin around the eyes is thinner and more sensitive than other parts of the face. Glycolic acid eye creams and gels are generally formulated with other ingredients, for example retinol.
Cleansers
Cleansers made with glycolic acid typically have levels varying from 3% to about 10%. They may be used for daily cleansing and exfoliating. Go for a lotion with a lower concentration if this is the first time you have used a glycolic acid cleanser and step up the concentration as your skin becomes adapted to it.
Masks
These kinds of glycolic acid skin care products have a higher level of active component and are typically used for more intensive, deeper cleansing procedures.
Toners
Toners are typically used to restore the pH of the skin before other treatments and can boost their effectiveness.
Face Washes
A glycolic acid face wash can be used on a daily basis to give a wonderful luminosity to the skin. Even though a lot of the glycolic acid products that you can purchase have a fairly high concentration of the active ingredient, face washes have a much lower concentration and consequently are completely safe for anyone to use. The single exception is if you have a serious skin problems, you should chat to a doctor before you use this kind of face wash although it is doubtful that concentrations this low will cause any harm.
Final Thoughts
Glycolic acid skin care products are used for a variety of skin treatments and are helpful and by and large gentle. In combination with additional ingredients they have a wide range of uses and are well-liked and extensively used in skin care products.
You might be interested in these products:
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Glycolic Acid 35% Gel Peel, 30ml (Professional)Level 1) Glycolic/35, Lactic/35, Salicylic/20
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