“Glycolic acid has been the toast of the skincare world for quite some time. Part of the family of AHAs, or alpha hydroxy acids, the wonder ingredient works by dissolving the bonds between oil and dead cells on the skin’s surface and triggering the skin to speed up cell renewal at a deeper level. This makes AHAs such as glycolic acid a go-to treatment for the likes of fine lines, acne and acne scars, dark spots and pigmentation – the latter a particular concern if your skin has a high melanin content.”

Even better news? Glycolic acid can be safely used to treat dark spots on all skin tones, making it a truly inclusive skincare ingredient.

Dark spots on the face are a result of built-up melanin, the pigment responsible for the color of hair, skin, and eyes. While melanin is naturally occurring, the pigment’s overproduction can be triggered by exposure to UV radiation.

Additionally, deep acne cysts and stubborn breakouts can leave behind dark marks on the face, as can picking at the skin. However, despite the speed and ease with which dark spots can form on the face, glycolic acid offers consumers an excellent and affordable option to fade dark spots, in as little as four weeks.

What makes glycolic acid so great at erasing dark spots on the face? To start, glycolic acid inhibits tyrosinase, an enzyme that produces pigment on the surface of the skin. Recent scientific research published in Experimental Dermatology explains:

“α‐Hydroxy acids (AHAs) such as glycolic acid (GA) and lactic acid (LA) have been reported to be effective in treating pigmentary lesions such as melasma, solar lentigines, and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. The mechanism of this effect might be due to epidermal remodeling and accelerated desquamation, which would result in quick pigment dispersion….

“GA or LA were shown to inhibit tyrosinase enzyme activity directly… Taken together, these results show that GA and LA suppress melanin formation by directly inhibiting tyrosinase activity, an effect independent of their acidic nature. GA and LA might work on pigmentary lesions not only by accelerating the turnover of the epidermis but also by directly inhibiting melanin formation in melanocytes.”  

“The inhibitory effect of glycolic acid and lactic acid on melanin synthesis in melanoma cells,” Experimental Dermatology

For consumers with facial spots, this research is great news: regular use of glycolic acid-based skincare products could help slow or even halt the formation of new dark spots on the face.

Additionally, glycolic acid has another benefit to reducing dark spots: Glycolic acid can be safely used on all types of skin tones. 

In fact, in a study where participants with darker skin tones received a glycolic acid chemical peel every 2-3 weeks, over half of patients saw an improvement in reducing the dark spots on their faces.

“As expected, the epidermal form showed the best response, followed by the mixed type, whereas the dermal variant was almost resistant to the effect of chemical peels.  GA peels have also been compared with other agents like topical hypopigmenting agents, lasers and other peels. In one of our own studies, we tried to assess the effect of the addition of serial GA peels to a time-tested regime, the Kligman’s formula …A significant decrease in the Melasma Area Severity Index (MASI) score from baseline to 21 weeks was observed in both groups. However, the group receiving the GA peels showed more rapid and greater improvement, with statistically significant results.”

– “Chemical Peels for Melasma in Dark-Skinned Patients,” Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery

Facial spots and hyperpigmentation might be a common skincare issue for millions around the globe – but these dark spots don’t need to be a permanent annoyance. Instead, glycolic acid-based skincare products can help all consumers reduce spots on their facial skin, safely, effectively, and quickly. 

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