May 6, 2021

While wrinkles are an inevitable part of aging, many consumers are on the hunt for effective treatments to diminish the appearance of fine lines.

Luckily, there is an efficacious ingredient for reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Glycolic acid, one of the most “popular choices for anti-aging products” can help to exfoliate the skin, boost collagen production, and  lessen the appearance of facial wrinkles.

Wrinkles are the creases and fine lines that form on the facial skin. Wrinkles can be a result of aging, sun exposure, and genetics.

Additionally, as a normal part of the aging process, the natural production of oils, collagen, and elastin begin to slow. This causes more obvious lines, drier skin, drooping, sagging, and bagging.

Dermatologists usually divide wrinkles into two categories: dynamic and static.

Dynamic wrinkles show up after repetitive facial movements, like smiling or raising an eyebrow. Typically, the appearance of dynamic wrinkles also ends when the facial expression does.

On the other hand, static wrinkles are always visible on the facial skin. However, static wrinkles are typically dynamic wrinkles that became permanent over time.

Whether wrinkles are dynamic or static, yet many consumers want to minimize the visibility of these fine lines. For effective, yet gentle  treatment, glycolic acid is a superior choice for a more radiant, fresher complexion.

To begin, glycolic acid is helpful for reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles because it is the most effective form of chemical exfoliation available.

Glycolic acid is the lightest, smallest molecule in the Alpha Hydroxy Acid family. Thanks to its molecule size, glycolic acid is best at penetrating the skin cell and dissolving the glue holding older skin cells together. This offers consumers two important benefits.

First, by shedding off older, dry skin cells glycolic acid can rapidly improve the appearance of the skin by minimizing the roughness and uneven skin tone associated with dry skin. Secondly, glycolic acid spurs new cells to the surface of the skin. These cells are healthier and look plumper than older cells, wbich also can help reduce the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles.

“By consistently removing the top layer of dead skin cells, you uncover the new ones which is good for a number of reasons. First off, your treatment products like peptides, for instance, penetrate the skin more deeply without having to first traverse a layer of over-it skin cells. They also help to speed up cell turnover—which slows down as you get older—in order to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” explains Zoe Weiner in Well + Good.

Additionally, glycolic acid can help improve the appearance of wrinkles, because it serves as a booster rocket to collagen production.

Collagen is the protein found in connective tissues and the skin. Collagen provides suppleness, pliability, and firmness to the skin, but over time collagen production naturally slows. As collagen production decreases with age, the visibility of wrinkles and fine lines often increases, along with sagging or drooping.

However, regular use of glycolic acid can help to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by triggering collagen creation.

In fact, according to a study where participants’ skin was topically treated with glycolic acid gels, those treated with the highest percentage of glycolic acid gels also had the subsequent highest levels of collagen.

“All formulations effectively induced desquamation in a concentration‐dependent manner. Total collagen levels were increased at all concentrations, with greatest effects at higher GA concentrations. These data suggest that partially neutralized GA formulations retain skin rejuvenating properties without causing irritation and inflammation and that their use can be tailored to individual needs based on the concentration of GA in the formulation.” – “Glycolic acid adjusted to pH 4 stimulates collagen production and epidermal renewal without affecting levels of proinflammatory TNF‐alpha in human skin explants,” Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.

Fine lines and wrinkles are an inevitable part of the aging process. But, with the help of chemical exfoliant glycolic acid, consumers can help reduce the visibility of wrinkles, shed off dry, dead skin cells, and promote a fresher complexion.

Take advantage of our new anti-aging guide, featuring the most innovative, highest-quality ingredients in the personal care industry.