What is Glycolic Acid? Its Benefits and How to Use It on Skin

Glycolic acid is an odorless, colorless, active ingredient used in many skincare products to chemically exfoliate your skin, which has many benefits over scrubbing. It is the most widely used alpha hydroxy acid (AHA).

In this article, we’re going to dive into the benefits of glycolic acid and explore how it can benefit your beauty regime. We will also discuss some of the potential side effects and precautions you should take to prevent damage or irritation to your skin.

Whether you’re using PITERA™ Facial Treatment Essence, or PITERA™ Facial Treatment Clear Lotion, glycolic acid complements these treatments by adding to the exfoliation effects and pore-cleansing. Working together, your dead skin cells will be washed away, and improving the natural regeneration of skin. This not only gives your skin a healthier glow, but also helps even your skin tone and reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and sunspots.

Glycolic Acid for Glowing Skin

What Does Glycolic Acid Do?

Glycolic acid chemically dissolves dead skin cells and oil on the surface of your skin. It also boosts collagen production, which in turn promotes tissue repair and maintenance.

What is Glycolic Acid Used For?

Glycolic acid is commonly used in skin cleansing products like glycolic acid for face wash and glycolic cleanser because it clears oil and other dirt build-up from the top layer of your skin remarkably well.

It is also used to target problem skin conditions like acne, acne scars, dark skin patches, and signs of aging like wrinkles. This is typically done through the use of topical products like glycolic acid serum and glycolic acid cream. It can also help restore sun-damaged skin.

In more serious conditions with scarring or uneven skin texture, a certified dermatologist can administer glycolic acid peeling.

Is Glycolic Acid Good For Your Skin?

Glycolic acid removes old, dead surface skin cells, which makes way for new skin cell generation. This helps clear acne and control breakouts. It also helps to improve acne scarring and dark skin patches and restores skin that has been damaged by the sun.

Glycolic acid can promote the production of collagen a protein naturally produced by your body naturally that is essential for healthy joints and skin elasticity. Collagen production declines as we age, which leads to wrinkles and sagging skin.

All in all, glycolic acid benefits are manifold and it can help your skin look younger and more radiant.

How to Use Glycolic Acid Correctly

Glycolic acid is used in different beauty products that are meant to achieve different results, so it is important to read the instructions and understand how to use your specific product. The same properties that make it beneficial to your skincare routine can also cause unpleasant side effects if used in excess. While using SK-II products will have all the benefits that glycolic acid provides, using the two together is a great way to carry out your skincare routine.

Use a Suitable AHA Percentage for One's Skin Type

The first thing to take note of is the percentage of glycolic acid or AHA on the label. This percentage indicates the concentration of acid in your product. A higher percentage will have stronger results, but it also has a higher chance of irritating your skin, so it is always recommended that someone with sensitive skin starts low.

Products like face wash or toner normally have a low concentration that makes them suitable for everyday use. Masks will have a higher concentration, making them more suitable for occasional use, like once a week. Over-the-counter products are typically between 8 and 10 percent, while qualified dermatologists can use products between 30 and 70 percent.

Don’t Combine with Other Exfoliating Products

If you combine multiple exfoliating products, it may strip the skin barrier too much and cause rawness and irritation. As a general rule, it’s recommended avoid using glycolic acid with retinol or products that include AHAs, as this may cause extreme discomfort, especially if you have sensitive skin.

One way to prevent this issue while still getting the benefit of different AHAs is to use a product like SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion. It contains alternative AHAs like butylene glycol along with SK-II’s proprietary ingredient PITERA™ to exfoliate and condition your skin surface. If you are unsure if your products can be used together, please consult a dermatologist.

PITERA™ Facial Treatment Clear Lotion

A hydrating toner filled with AHAs to exfoliate and condition skin

Use as Part of an Exfoliation Routine

Removing dead surface skin cells is an important part of caring for the health of your skin, yet the same properties that exfoliate so well can also cause dry skin and severe irritation if used excessively or combined with other irritants.

One way to prevent this is to follow an intentional exfoliation routine that includes deep hydration and doesn’t mix exfoliants as mentioned. A good practice is to add rest days where you don’t use any active ingredients. Skin cycling is a trendy skincare routine based on this idea.

Another way to add it to your routine is to use a glycolic acid mask once a week if your skin can tolerate it. This will improve the absorption of your other skincare products. Finally, always apply moisturizer after you’ve used glycolic acid to help mitigate dryness and skin irritation.

Increased Sun Sensitivity

Glycolic acid can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, so experts recommend that you use AHA products at night. Always apply a broad-spectrum SPF of 30 or higher in the morning, especially if you are planning to go outside.

Skin Conditions that are Recommended for Glycolic Acid

Because of its exfoliating and skin rejuvenating qualities, glycolic acid treats certain skin conditions very successfully. Mild conditions like acne can be treated with over-the-counter products, while more severe conditions may need a prescription for a higher concentration of glycolic acid.

Dead Skin

Dead skin buildup occurs naturally as your skin is constantly producing new cells while shedding the old. Those dead surface skin cells make up the top surface along with sebum, an oily substance produced by your body to moisturize and protect your skin. Over time, this layer of dirt can make your skin appear dull and lifeless.

Another issue is that as we get older, the natural surface cell renewal process slows down. This results in skin that can’t keep up with the renewal cycle, leading to an increase in dead cells on the surface.

Glycolic acid can wash away dead surface skin cells and pore-clogging debris to reveal the new, softer layer underneath. It can also promote the creation of new cells by stimulating collagen production, helping your skin to go from dull and lifeless to smooth and plump.

Aging Skin

As you age, fine lines and wrinkles start to form as your skin loses its elasticity. Although aging is simply a part of life, glycolic acid can help reduce the signs of aging skin.

Studies have shown that glycolic acid increases the levels of several natural substances found in our bodies that promote skin elasticity, skin repair and regeneration, skin texture, and keeping the skin moisturized.

Sun Damaged skin

Too much sun causes premature aging of the skin, known as photoaging, and this results in sagging and wrinkled skin. Mild symptoms of sun damage can be successfully treated with glycolic acid, especially peels that have a higher concentration of glycolic acid.

Acne

Acne is a common skin condition where the pores of your skin become plugged with oil and dead skin cells. This can get infected by bacteria, which results in pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads.

Not only does Glycolic acid break down oil and dead skin cells, but it also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which makes it a sought-after remedy for acne. It is readily available as over-the-counter medications like creams, lotions, gels, and soaps. Experts recommend creams and lotions for sensitive skin, and alcohol-based gels for oily skin.

If you have acne scars, repeated and consistent use of a glycolic acid peel can successfully remove the scars over time.

Dark Skin Patch on Face

As you age, the possibility of skin discoloration increases, compounded by excess UV exposure. You may notice dark skin patches, called hyperpigmentation, on your face and forehead. Although this condition can’t be cured, it can be managed effectively.

One option is to use glycolic acid to remove the top layer of dead surface skin cells, which will help fade dark patches on your face.

If your skin is prone to hyperpigmentation be careful not to use glycolic acid in high concentrations since this can lead to inflammation and make the problem worse. Start with low dosages—the key is consistency, not concentration.

Does Glycolic Acid Lighten Skin Tone?

Skin tone is the result of melanin, the pigment that gives color to your skin, hair, and eyes. The purpose of melanin is to protect you from sun damage and is an integral part of your biology.

Glycolic acid interacts with the top layer of skin while melanin production happens deeper down, thus it does not penetrate deep enough to lighten skin tone. It can treat dark skin spots where there is an overproduction of melanin. By exfoliating the top layer of dead skin, dark skin patches can become lighter, but glycolic acid won’t affect the general tone of your skin.

Possible Side Effects of Glycolic Acid & Remedy

Glycolic acid can irritate the skin. It also increases the risk of sunburn. Some other potential side effects of glycolic acid are skin rash, skin swelling, blisters, skin peeling, burning or itching. When applied to the skin it is always prudent to go for products that have a glycolic acid concentration of less than 10%. You can easily avoid almost all the side effects just by adhering to the lower concentration.

See the best SK-II products to cleanse your skin.

SK-II PITERA™ Facial Treatment Clear Lotion

PITERA™ Facial Treatment Clear Lotion is a toner that combines SK-II’s powerhouse ingredient PITERA™ with AHAs to gently exfoliate your skin. It removes impurities and dead skin cells, leaving your skin renewed and radiant, while also preparing the skin’s surface for the rest of your skincare regimen.

This Clear Lotion toner should be used twice a day after cleansing but before applying essences, serums, or moisturizers.

Benefits

With continued use, you will notice a visible improvement in the texture and radiance of your skin.

PITERA™ Facial Treatment Clear Lotion conditions the skin surface, increases hydration, and prepares your skin for the rest of your routine.

SK-II PITERA™ Facial Treatment Essence

PITERA™ Facial Treatment Essence contains over 90% PITERA™ and is highly praised among celebrities and skincare experts for its anti-aging and skin recuperation characteristics. It rivals the benefits of retinol, Vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid.