Glycolic Acid
in skincare

Glycolic acid can be found in cleansers, lotions, gels, and other treatments designed to target enlarged pores, visible signs of aging, and dullness. When used properly, glycolic acid offers a variety of skincare benefits for numerous skincare concerns, including acne, anti-aging, and hyperpigmentation. This gentle chemical exfoliant may help to visibly shrink pores and can also help soften, smooth, and improve skin texture.

Glycolic acid helps to promote the skin’s natural exfoliation process by shedding the skin’s outer layer. Glycolic acid is an exfoliating alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). This natural shedding process supports the elimination of dead skin cells, and helps to reveal fresh, healthy-looking skin. It has the lowest molecular weight of all the AHAs (including lactic acid), which allows it to easily penetrate the skin.¹ Rather than using potentially harsh or irritating physical exfoliation methods, this chemical exfoliant is often recommended as a gentle, yet effective option for a variety of skin concerns.

Their main function is to help exfoliate top layer dead skin cells that can clog pores, which can result in various skin concerns. Lactic acid and glycolic acid are both well-known and effective ingredient options for helping to prevent and minimize breakouts, as well as other skin concerns. Since they are both alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), these two skin exfoliators work somewhat similarly.

Lactic acid is generally viewed as the milder and gentler of these two AHAs, making it a great option for very sensitive skin, while glycolic acid penetrates deeply into the skin. This makes glycolic acid especially beneficial for acne-prone and oily skin types looking for more rapid results—or for anyone with stubborn breakouts on their body. There are many products that safely combine both glycolic acid and lactic acid for an effective two-in-one approach, or if preferred, it’s possible to try both ingredients separately and see which suits your skin type best.

Always apply sunscreen consistently, 365 days a year, as part of your skincare regimen. This is especially crucial when using products containing glycolic acid, as this ingredient can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun’s rays. Therefore, taking extra precautions to protect against this increased vulnerability to UV damage is highly important.

Its far-reaching benefits include a mild exfoliating effect that can make it an ideal choice for anyone suffering from enlarged pores, blackheads, wrinkles, dullness, dark spots, or acne blemishes. Glycolic acid provides gentle chemical exfoliation that is generally well-tolerated by most skin types when used as part of a daily skincare routine. Those with dry or sensitive skin that is prone to irritation are best advised to start small and to stick with products with a low concentration of glycolic acid.