7 Big Beauty Benefits of Glycolic Acid

For consumers who want the best skin of their life in 2018, experts all agree: they should incorporate glycolic acid-packed products into their skincare routines. Why the focus on glycolic acid? It’s the smallest alpha hydroxy acid and deeply penetrates skin cells, erasing skincare problems ranging from acne to fine lines. Glycolic acid also encourages a rapid skin cell turnover by sloughing off damaged skin cells quickly. The result? The glowing, luminous, and amazingly healthy skin everyone nowadays craves.

Here, then, are seven big skincare issues that consumers can tackle using products that feature glycolic acid. And they’re also seven good reasons why formulators are including it as an ingredient in more products than ever.

Glycolic acid is a superstar at eliminating the painful and embarrassing lumps and bumps associated with acne breakouts.  And, thanks to glycolic acid’s ability to increase cell turnover, GA can help reduce scars or discoloration from previous zits and pimples.

To blast away blemishes in the making, consumers can reach for a topical treatment like Peter Thomas Roth Acne Spot and Area Treatment. For cysts or very angry, inflamed pimples, there are products with a higher glycolic acid percentage, like Acne.org’s 6 ounce, AHA+ treatment containing a a walloping 10% Glycolic Acid.

Regular exfoliation is key to maintaining a radiant complexion. Unfortunately, the skin’s natural exfoliation process can be slowed down or altogether halted by a number of factors, including aging.  Luckily, glycolic acid is not only one of the most effective exfoliants available, it’s also one of the most gentle, making it perfect to use on all skin types.

Glycolic acid dissolves the glue holding skin cells together, and helps the skin to shed off older or damaged skin cells quickly. For a great and gentle exfoliation, ditch the harsh scrubs and stick with a mild facial cleanser like BeautyRx Balancing Glycolic Acid Facial Cleanser.

Everyone wants to glow this year, and it’s easy to see why. Glowing skin is equated with both health and wealth, celebrities are sporting a glow on the red carpet, and #glowingskincare tutorials are flooding social media feeds. In short, glowing skin is seriously in.

Glycolic acid is the key to achieving that glow, since its exfoliative properties help move new, healthy skin cells to the top of the epidermis. Get glowing with a daily face wash containing glycolic acid, or go for a mega-dose of GA with a relaxing sheet mask, like Murad’s Hydro-Glo Aqua Peel.

Everyone knows properly moisturized skin is healthy skin. If dry skin is your skincare issue du jour, try glycolic acid for a one-two ticket to hydration station. Glycolic acid will first remove dry patches of skin and the move new skin cells to the surface.

These new skin cells will not only more readily absorb moisturizing products – these cells will continue to stay moisturized. Check out Reviva Labs 10% Glycolic Acid Cream or Mederma AG Face Cream for great results.

Wrinkles, fine lines, and dullness are all symptoms of older skin, but they can be beaten back or reduced with glycolic acid. To combat fine lines, uneven skin tone, and to give tired skin an instant refresh, consumers are trying at-home peels (long deemed highly effective by everyone from dermatologists to aestheticians), laden with glycolic acid.

Two products they’re test-driving? The ever-popular Lancome VISIONNAIRE CRESCENDO overnight peel or the perennial cult favorite Ellen Lange three step Peel Kit.

Pores become enlarged when excess oil, dead skin, dirt, and debris (like old makeup) become trapped inside the tiny pore and cause it to expand. Luckily, glycolic acid is superb for pore clean-up and size reduction. Glycolic acid sweeps away the debris and sebum stuck in clogged pores, and the cleansed pore reduces back down to regular size.

Consumers seeking to minimize pore size are trying a glycolic-acid-rich toner like  The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toner, or pre-soaked cotton pads like Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing Pads for pore-cleansing on the go!

Glycolic acid is the indisputable king of “sanding away” old skin cells and brushing off flaky, dry patches, thanks to its incredible exfoliative properties.

Among the products that trumpet its smoothing effects? Paula’s Choice RESIST Daily Smoothing Treatment with 5% AHA or the glycolic-acid filled (an amazing 15% concentration!) CANE + AUSTIN Body Retexture Lotion 15% Glycolic Acid promising smooth, soft skin everywhere from face to feet.