Smoothing Rough Skin Texture with Glycolic Acid
March 2, 2021
“Having an uneven skin texture is one of those annoying cosmetic beauty qualms that’s certainly not the end of the world but is annoying nonetheless. Unlike discoloration, which we can handily hide with a quick dab of concealer, uneven skin texture is a lot harder to mask and can be even trickier to treat,” writes Erin Jahns in WhoWhatWear.
However, there is a simple and highly effective solution to smoothing out rough skin texture on the face. Glycolic acid, the top-notch chemical exfoliator, is the key to achieving a smoother, softer complexion.
What causes uneven skin texture?
Unfortunately for consumers uneven, rough skin texture can be caused by a multitude of factors, including:
- Aging
- Pollution
- Dry skin
- Acne scarring
- Large pores
- Irritation from products
But one of the biggest culprits behind uneven or rough skin texture? Lack of regular exfoliation.
“Uneven skin texture is commonly a result of excess dead skin cells that build up on the surface of the skin,” cosmetic dermatologist Paul Jarrod Frank, MD, told Brydie. “This can make areas of the skin feel rough or bumpy to the touch and can also give the skin a dull appearance.”
Luckily for consumers, regular exfoliation with gentle Alpha Hydroxy Acid glycolic acid can help to quickly improve skin texture and create a silkier, softer complexion.
Chemical exfoliation for softer skin
To begin, glycolic acid can help to improve skin texture because glycolic acid is one of the best ingredients for gently and effectively exfoliating the skin.
“Glycolic acid is an MVP when it comes to removing dead skin cells and promoting cell turnover,” writes Taylor Glynne in Marie Claire.
When dead or dry skin cells build up on the face, skin texture can become rough, uneven, or bumpy.
A buildup of dead skin cells can also clog pores and mix with sebum or debris, creating other issues like acne and breakouts. Plus, a buildup of old, dry skin cells on the face can exacerbate the visible signs of aging like fine lines, wrinkles, and crow’s feet.
In order to effectively tackle a buildup of excess dead skin cells, glycolic acid is key. As the lightest, smallest molecule in the Alpha Hydroxy Acid family, glycolic acid can most quickly penetrate the skin cell once applied. Glycolic acid then works to dissolve the bonds holding dead cells together. This loosening of bonds helps to shed off dead, dry skin cells from the face and improve texture.
Skin cell turnover promotion
Additionally, glycolic acid offers smooth skin seekers another benefit. Glycolic acid promotes more regular skin cell turnover, which also helps to keep skin texture softer and smoother.
“As kids and teenagers, our cell turnover happens quite rapidly, but as we age we don’t shed our dead cells at as fast a rate as we did in our teens and 20s,” Loretta Ciraldo, board-certified dermatologist told HuffPost. “Since glycolic acid works to get rid of those dead skin cells, at least on a microscopic level you get more vibrancy and luminosity. You also lose some of the rough texture, so you get more skin smoothness.”
By sloughing off dead, dry skin cells glycolic acid encourages new cells to make their way to the surface of the skin. These new skin cells are plumper, healthier, and smoother.
"Glycolic acid works to get rid of dead skin cells, at least on a microscopic level, so you get more vibrancy and luminosity."
Loretta Ciraldo, dermatologist, HuffPost
Smoother skin, sooner
For consumers seeking a smoother complexion faster, exfoliation with glycolic acid is the perfect over-the-counter solution to help improve texture and heal dry, rough, or pumpy patches of skin on the face.
