What Does Glycolic Acid Do to the Skin?
- As the skin renews itself every few weeks, most dead skin cells are naturally sloughed off the surface of the skin. But some dead skin cells remain, causing skin to feel slightly rough and appear uneven in texture.
When applied to the skin in low concentrations, glycolic acid gently breaks down the glue that adheres dead skin cells to the surface of the skin. By dissolving these proteins, the skin is made softer, smoother and more even in appearance.
Products like serums, moisturizers and treatment creams are better able to penetrate the skin after use of glycolic acid, as only the new, healthy skin cells are exposed. - Alpha-hydroxy acid skin care products are often used in caring for acne-prone skin types. Glycolic acid has the smallest molecular structure of all the alpha-hydroxy acids, allowing it to better penetrate the skin's pores.
While glycolic acid will help reduce acne, such as whiteheads and blackheads, on the surface of the skin, it also can penetrate deep into the pore, killing Propionibacterium, the bacterium that causes whiteheads and other breakouts.
Over time and with regular use of glycolic acid, acne-prone skin types will see a reduction in new breakouts. - In addition to providing clinical benefits in skin care, glycolic acid can also be used for cosmetic reasons. Commonly found in spas, dermatologist's offices and plastic surgery centers, glycolic acid peels performed in regular intervals can help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, age spots and other physical signs of aging skin.
Other benefits include increased hydration of the skin and an increase in the production of collagen.
The amount of glycolic acid used in the chemical peels ranges from 15 to 35 percent and is applied by a skin care professional. However, glycolic acid skin care products for use at home help maintain the results of the chemical peel, even though they range from 3 to 10 percent. - Glycolic acid is safe to use in a regular skin care routine, but it must be used in conjunction with sunscreen to avoid damage to the skin. Use of glycolic acid on the skin makes the skin more susceptible to sun damage, including sunburn, freckling and age spots.
- Those who are using skin care medications, such as Accutane or Retin-A, should always consult with their dermatologist or medical provider before using glycolic acid skin care products. Additionally, those under the care of a doctor for skin disorders, such as rosacea, eczema or dermatitis, should also consult with their physician before starting a glycolic acid skin care routine.
