Capt. John Cox answers questions about whether to cancel travel to Asia and what can be done to protect babies from coronavirus while flying.– SDL, Morro Bay, California
© Getty Images Learn what glycolic acid does, its benefits and side effects, how it helps acne and wrinkles, and the best products including peels, washes, serums and toners. If you are looking to simplify your skincare routine with a product that provides all the benefits of minimized pores, younger-looking skin and a clear, radiant complexion, keep your eyes peeled (pun intended) for glycolic acid. This miraculous ingredient is an all-in-one solution to your greatest skin troubles from aging to acne— glycolic acid takes care of it all. It’s one ingredient that you should definitely consider adding to your skincare playbook.
Glycolic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), an organic, carbon-containing molecule. According to Dr. Jessica Krant, a board-certified dermatologist of the Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York, this molecule naturally occurs in sugar cane and fruits. Some other AHAs you may be familiar with include lactic acid and citrus acid. Note that these should not be confused with beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), such as salicylic acid.
“Glycolic acid helps to separate the connections between keratinocytes [skin cells] in the outer layers of skin without rough, mechanical exfoliation techniques and promotes exfoliation,” Dr. Krant says. “In this way, it can artificially speed up cell turnover and bring fresher, younger cells to the surface.”
“I think people underestimate how much glycolic acid does,” says Dr. Sapna Palep, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Spring Street Dermatology in NYC. “It works for anti-aging. It’s very good for acne. It stops acne from the get-go — from the comedone stage. [Patients] come to me like, ‘I hate these blackheads on my nose, and my pores feel so big.’ I put them on glycolic right away.” Key benefits are:
Another bonus: glycolic acid is safe for new mothers to use, says Dr. Palep. Since certain beauty ingredients, such as BHAs and retinol, should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding, “it’s a lifesaver for women during this period of time.”
“Glycolic acid can be found in all sorts of products, from washes to toners to medical grade chemical peels,” says Dr. Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist, and founder of Mudgil Dermatology in NYC. “The use really depends on the exact preparation.”
Regardless of whatever product you choose, you will see benefits from any concentration percentage, says Dr. Krant. “Glycolic acid works every time you use it, and it begins to work immediately.” Dr. Krant advises to only use products with a maximum concentration of 10% at home. “Stronger formulations can be applied by your board-certified dermatologist in-office, but should only be applied by people with extensive experience and training in chemical peels.”
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Revitalift Bright Reveal Peel Pads from L?Oreal Paris help encourage smoother, more radiant-looking skin with continued use of the pre-soaked glycolic peel pads after cleansing. The glycolic exfoliating treatment gently dissolves uneven skin tone and helps reduce visibility of uneven tone and wrinkles to help reveal clarified, more radiant skin. The daily treatment helps brighten the look of your skin while it encourages even tone. The multi-ply textured pads help physically resurface dead skin cells to reveal an underlying, youthful-looking, lit-from-within glow.
Are there any side effects of glycolic acid?
People usually don’t experience side effects from using glycolic acid, but for “those with dry or sensitive skin, it can be irritating,” says Dr. Mudgil. “Low percentage washes can be used daily without issue in those with oily skin, whereas medical grade peels may only be tolerated once a month.”
Although it’s uncommon, the worst side effects that people can experience is due to uncareful use of higher percentage glycolic acid products. “Glycolic acid is an acid that can burn or scar skin,” warns Dr. Krant. “Excessive redness, a lingering burning sensation, skin turning grayish-white or — worst-case scenario — skin blistering and sloughing off immediately are all signs of possible danger and permanent scarring.”
Because the best products for you will depend on your skin type, you should always consult your dermatologist first. If your skin is more sensitive or dry, look for products that have a lower glycolic acid percentage (around 5%).
It’s also important to take extra measures to protect yourself from sun damage. Glycolic acid, along with other AHAs, increase your skin’s sensitivity to harmful UV rays. Be sure to generously apply sunscreen, wear hats and stay in the shade to reduce your sun exposure throughout the day.
Related Video: The best beauty acids for every skin concern (Provided by Better Homes & Gardens)
anti-aging trend: these cosmetic pads with hyaluronic acid reduce forehead lines .
© Imaxtree anti-aging trend: these beauty pads smooth out forehead lines! Looking at the Imaxtree objectively, 2020 could be seen as the start of an even more practical decade. Versatile and uncomplicated basics conquer the fashion trends and in everyday life, functional reusable products replace wasteful disposable variants. It looks similar in the beauty world. Here, too, the naturalness and simplicity gradually replace complex routines.
Chrissy Capurro, Medical Esthetician, demonstrates a glycolic lactic acid gel peel. The peel exfoliates your skin, and smooths and tightens your face with no ...
Many useful molecules in skincare are acids. At the most basic level an acid will exfoliate the skin by disrupting the bonds between surface skin cells, revealing ...
Capt. John Cox answers questions about whether to cancel travel to Asia and what can be done to protect babies from coronavirus while flying.– SDL, Morro Bay, California 
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