Glycolic acid is an element that is used in skin care products, like skin toners and peels, which can treat different skin conditions, from aging skin to acne treatment, to sun-damaged skin. Read more about it here.

Glycolic Acid and Skin Care

Glycolic Acid and Skin Care

glycolic_acid_cosmeticsGlycolic acid is a non-toxic multi-purpose element. It is used in skin care products. Glycolic acid forms an essential part of a number of cosmetics that vary from glycolic acid acne gels, to glycolic acid toners, to glycolic acid peels, to glycolic acid skin lotions. Therefore, glycolic acid forms an essential part of a skin care routine that can be very effectual in the treatment of wrinkles, acne scars as well as acne prone skin, dry skin, oily skin, and sun-damaged skin.

Glycolic acid is a part of a occurring in a natural way group of alpha hydroxy acids, or AHA. They are derived from fruits and other natural substances. For example other alpha hydroxyl acids are tartaric acid found in wine, malic acid in apples, lactic acid in sour milk, and citric acid in citrus fruits. Glycolic acid is extracted from sugar cane.

If glycolic acid is used in concentrations that are very high, it can be acidic. For this reason, any product that contains glycolic acid at concentrations of more than 10% is recognized as hazardous. The largest part of skin products containing glycolic acid does not have it in concentrations more than 10%. Even though glycolic acid in too high a concentration can be unsafe, on the other hand, if the concentration is too low it can lead to the product being ineffective. For that reason, products that have glycolic acid concentrations in the range of 8% to 10% are generally recommended for use in skin care. Although glycolic acid peel products have concentrations that are much higher.

Benefits of Glycolic Acid
As glycolic acid is a natural moisturizer and exfoliant, it is a perfect element in skin care products. Glycolic acid’s high acidity is what makes it an excellent exfoliant. When it is applied on the skin, glycolic acid penetrates through the skin’s surface layers, ruining the muggy matter that binds the dead skin cells. One time the layer of surface skin cells are kneaded up, they can be detached easily along with leaving the skin smoother and softer. Glycolic acid also assists in absorbing moisturizers into the skin. Lots of product lines of cosmetics that contain glycolic acid recommend a full range of skin care system. These skin care products guarantee that the full potential of glycolic acid is derived by using them, while they also neutralize its acidic effects on skin.