The skincare space is rife with ingredients. While some are fleeting, dated or a part of unique formulations, some ingredients like glycolic acid become omnipresent across different products and price ranges due to its trove of benefits. Glycolic acid is the most common and potent form of Alpha Hydroxy Acid, a subcategory of chemical exfoliants. This AHA is derived from sugarcane. Since it’s a water-soluble chemical exfoliant, it works efficiently on the topmost layer of the skin to get rid of dullness and texture. But this plant-based exfoliant goes above and beyond.
If you want to know why dermatologists and ‘skinthusiasts’ can’t stop raving about this ingredient, here are 12 glycolic acid benefits for face, body and skin that you should know about.
1. Mild Exfoliation
This is one of the most common glycolic acids used for the skin. As an AHA, it provides gentle exfoliation to the top layer of the skin to dissolve dead skin cells, tanning, daily pollution and impurities. If you're a beginner, incorporate this chemical exfoliating routine with your cleanser. This will keep your glow intact without being too harsh.
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2. Refines Pores
Large, unrefined and clogged pores make the skin dull and gritty. This is a common concern for those with a combination of oily skin. Excess sebum, heat and humidity can cause the pores to open up. This can also contribute to the texture. In such cases, using a slightly more potent glycolic acid formula will lift off excess oil and grime to refine the pores and give the skin a smoother appearance.
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3. Manages Breakouts
While BHA chemical exfoliants are savvy in deep exfoliation to extract excess sebum and bacteria, glycolic acid works on the surface to unclog pores and get rid of residual dirt and accumulated dead skin cells, thereby reducing the constant occurrence of breakouts. It is recommended to use a glycolic acid serum once to twice if you’re a beginner and increase the frequency based on your skin’s tolerance.
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4. Tackles Heat Boils & Body Acne
Just like your face, your body can also experience unwanted breakouts and heat boils. This could be due to heat, excess sebum and sweat that clog the pore over time. If you break a sweat easily or live in mostly tropical weather conditions, it’s a good idea to use a body cleanser with glycolic acid. This will gently cleanse the body and get rid of clogged impurities and sebum.
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5. Fights Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation makes its presence known in various forms like sun spots, uneven skin tone, acne scars, tanning and melasma. Glycolic acid gets rid of the excess melanin production by replacing damaged skin cells with new ones to accelerate skin healing for a natural even-toned glow. Moisturisers that have this AHA is ideal as you’ll need to give it time to show results.
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6. Gets Rid Of Blackheads & White Heads
Most blackheads and whiteheads sit just above the skin, giving them a raised appearance. Since glycolic acid is a pro at providing surface-level exfoliation, it will loosen the sebum and unclog the pores, getting rid of the clogged bumps for a clean, smoother appearance.
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7. Improves Skin Texture
While having some skin texture is normal, we’re talking about enhanced skin texture that can be brought on by clogged pores, blackheads, pimples, dead skin cells and enlarged pores. This can make the skin appear and feel uneven and gritty. Consistent usage of glycolic acid refines pores and gets rid of dead skin cells and impurities, improving skin’s appearance.
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8. Prevents Ingrown Hair On Face And Body
Ingrown hair is a common concern for those who shave and/or those who have thick, coarse and unruly hair. Because glycolic acid gets rid of matured skin cells, it clarifies the pores and hair follicles, lending a smooth shave. Furthermore, it will enable new hair to efficiently grow out of the surface of the skin without any painful razor bumps. While a toner, serum or face wash is a great way to let your facial skin enjoy the benefits of glycolic acid, consider going for a body lotion if you also experience ingrown hair on your arms and legs.
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9. Brightens Dark Underarms
Your face isn’t the only area that contends with hyperpigmentation. Frequent shaving, cuts and dead skin cell accumulation can make the underarm skin dull and dark over a period of time. If you experience the same, then an easy solution would be to switch your regular deodorant with an exfoliating one periodically (once or twice a week). This will exfoliate the matured skin cells and get rid of the excess melanin for even-toned underarms.
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10. Keeps Body Odour At Bay
Using deodorants may have its benefits, but it’s ideal to have a detoxifying exfoliating routine for your underarms. Whether it’s natural or aluminium-based, deodorising products can also clog pores with residual product, sweat, toxins and sebum over a period of time, resulting in excess sweat and odour. To strike a balance, taking a break from deodorants at regular intervals and using gentle chemical exfoliants will get rid of excess sweat, toxins and sebum which is beneficial in controlling body odour.
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11. Fights Signs of Premature Ageing
Next to exfoliation, glycolic acid is widely recommended to fight signs of premature ageing and sun damage. Not only does it dissolve dead skin cells, it helps in new cell turnover which is crucial to maintain the skin’s natural youth. Moreover, this ingredient also improves collagen production in the skin which is responsible for maintaining the skin’s natural barrier and elasticity.
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12. Quick & Easy At-Home Facial
If you’re a face mask lover who is often pinched for time, then you will love an AHA and BHA peeling solution. Though it may not provide you an elongated moment of relaxation, it will certainly go deep into the layers of the skin to get rid of days’ worth of pollution, sun damage and environmental stress to reveal a more refined, smooth and even-toned skin. Since chemical peeling solutions are extremely potent, the best course of action is to always follow the directions of use. If you’re a beginner, start with using it only once a fortnight and gradually make your way to once a week or as per the product recommendation.
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