How to incorporate glycolic acid in skincare routine?

Simply put, Glycolic Acid is an all-star ingredient that a variety of different skin types and concerns can benefit from. By effectively exfoliating and helping to speed up skin turnover, it can take your skin from dull and uneven to bright and glowing. For more information about Glycolic Acid, checkout What is Glycolic Acid and What Are The Benefits.

Glycolic Acid is the ingredient of your dreams. In other words, we recommend using this skin-renewing superstar in the evenings for a few reasons. It makes your skin more sensitive to sunlight so using it at night helps eliminate the risk of causing irritation from the sun. Even though you’ll be using Glycolic Acid at night, apply an SPF moisturizer every morning and be sure to reapply throughout the day, as needed.

When it comes to your skincare routine, the more powerful ingredients you pair together, the better, right? Not always. When it comes to Glycolic Acid, certain ingredient pairings are better than others. Before you start mixing and matching these potent ingredients like a mad scientist, checkout our quick reference guide below.

Glycolic acid is the smallest of all alpha hydroxy acids, which are acids used in skincare for exfoliation. Since its molecule size is so small, glycolic acid can reach deep into pores and sweep away dead skin cells and unclog pores.

This helps to speed up cell turnover, which supports a fresh and radiant complexion and a host of other skincare benefits.

If you are wondering how to use glycolic acid in your skincare routine, in this post, we’ll review how to incorporate a glycolic acid product into your routine and look at some fantastic affordable glycolic acid products.

This post contains affiliate links, and any purchases made through these links will result in a commission for me at no extra cost to you. Please read my Disclosure for additional information.

What does glycolic acid do? Well, brighter fresher skin is just the start when it comes to the benefits of glycolic acid.

The pH of a glycolic acid product will affect how your skin responds. A lower pH means that it is more acidic, and while it may be more effective, essentially it is more irritating.

On the other hand, if the pH of the glycolic acid product is too high, glycolic acid could be neutralized. So the trick is finding a balance between effectiveness and irritation.

Skincare products containing glycolic acid range in concentration from under 10% to as high as 30%. Look for lower concentrations if you are a beginner glycolic acid user to see how your skin responds.

Glycolic acid at 10% or less and a pH is 3.5 or higher is generally considered the optimal concentration, per FDA guidelines.

In regard to the time of the day to use glycolic acid, it is best used at night, when your skin will not be exposed to the sun.

If you do use glycolic acid in the morning, be sure to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher.

When first starting out with glycolic acid, start slowly to see how your skin responds.

Since it is a chemical exfoliant, glycolic acid can cause some tingling or itchiness, but it should not cause burning and redness.

Apply your glycolic acid product of choice during the step of your skincare routine that you would normally use that type of product.

For instance, if you are using a glycolic acid toner, use it right after cleansing your skin.

If you are using a glycolic acid serum, use it in the serum/treatment step of your skincare routine after cleansing and toning and before your moisturizer.

Related Post: AHA vs BHA Skincare Exfoliants: What is the Difference?

If you use a glycolic acid toner, follow it with hydration and moisture. Consider using a hydrating serum, such as this one, that contains hyaluronic acid for hydration and ceramides to replenish the delicate skin barrier.

If you have sensitive skin, consider using a serum that contains soothing ingredients like aloe vera, Centella asiatica, allantoin, or chamomile.

Regardless of the type of glycolic acid product that you use, be sure to follow with a moisturizer that locks in moisture and soothes your skin.

Glycolic acid can be drying, so a rich moisturizer at the end of your skincare routine will help to offset this side effect of glycolic acid.

Glycolic acid is available as an ingredient in a wide range of skincare products, such as cleansers, toners, serums, peels, masks, and creams.

Please note that only one of the following glycolic acid products should be used at the same time.

Here are a few effective and affordable glycolic acid products:

It is formulated with glycolic acid, plus chamomile, marshmallow, sage, St. John’s Wort, and yarrow extracts to increase cell turnover and balance the skin.

This glycolic acid cleanser deep cleans without stripping and leaves your face brighter with a more even skin tone.

NOTE: This cleanser should replace your regular cleanser 1-2 times a week if you have dry skin, and 2-3 times per week if you have combination/oily skin.

You can also use it 1-3 times a week on chest and back breakouts or discoloration. This cleanser is not recommended if you have sensitive skin, acne-erupted skin, or are using topical prescriptions.

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It also contains hydrating and reparative amino acids, soothing aloe vera, the emollient ginseng root, and a Tasmanian pepperberry derivative that helps to reduce irritation associated with acid use.

This is the ideal introduction to glycolic acid since this toner’s formula isn’t too strong at 7%, but it’s still very effective and affordably priced. It really helps to improve skin texture and tone.

Plus, it helps to reduce breakouts and acne scars. For more on this acid toner, please see my The Ordinary glycolic acid toner review.

They also note that this toning solution should not be used on sensitive, peeling, or otherwise compromised skin.

I have somewhat sensitive skin, and this toner causes a tingling and itchy sensation for a few minutes after application.

NOTE: The Ordinary suggests patch testing this and every new product that you try prior to using it for the first time.

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This glycolic acid exfoliator also contains 5% witch hazel to reduce excess oil. Perfect for oily skin!

Related Post: The Inkey List Skincare Review

The glycolic pads contain 5% glycolic acid plus lemon, bilberry, and orange fruit extracts (natural AHAs), skin brightening and pore-minimizing niacinamide, plus soothing and calming polysaccharides.

These glycolic acid peel pads are so easy to use. Just swipe them across your face after cleansing. You can also use them on your neck and chest, too.

The pads help to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles texture, breakouts, hyperpigmentation, and scarring while brightening the skin.

These glycolic peel pads can be used 1-2 times a week on dry skin, 2-3 times a week on normal/combination skin, and daily on non-sensitive oily and acne-prone skin.

NOTE: Beauty Pie is a subscription-based buyers club for luxury skincare, makeup, haircare, and fragrance.

I’ve been a member for a while now, and I am never disappointed. I purchase mostly skincare products and they are excellent!

Related Post: Beauty Pie Review: Luxury Skincare at Drugstore Prices

It helps to reveal a brighter complexion with the reduced look of fine lines, wrinkles, discoloration, and age spots.

This serum also contains apple stem cells for additional wrinkle-fighting power, Gigawhite, a complex of 6 organically grown alpine plants to reduce the look of uneven skin tone, Matrixyl Synthe ‘6, a peptide that firms and rejuvenates, and sodium hyaluronate for hydration and moisture.

White tea and goji berry offer antioxidant benefits, while ceramides support the skin barrier.

This glycolic acid serum is a little stronger than the toners and peel pads since it contains 10% glycolic acid.

It not only increases cell turnover but also helps to minimize the appearance of acne and acne scars while revealing a smoother, more radiant complexion.

It could even be considered an affordable alternative for Good Genes. Sunday Riley Good Genes is a cult favorite AHA serum with a steep price tag.

Biossance Squalane + Glycolic Renewal Mask is a 10-minute facial mask that offers the benefits of a glycolic acid peel, exfoliation, and a facial mask.

This mask is formulated with glycolic, lactic, malic, and tartaric acids to remove dead skin cells and improve skin radiance.

The mask also contains squalane and hyaluronic acid to plump and hydrate the skin and uses licorice root to calm redness and irritation.

Fine mineral spheres act as physical exfoliants to polish and smooth your complexion.

The result? A reduction in the appearance of fine lines, discoloration, and enlarged pores. This glycolic mask works best for those with normal, dry, and combination skin.

This glycolic acid body lotion is formulated with 12% glycolic acid to exfoliate skin and reduce the signs of aging on your chest, neck, hands, and the rest of your body.

The glycolic acid lotion evens skin tone and texture and supports healthy collagen and elasticity in your skin while leaving your skin super smooth and soft. It’s neither sticky nor greasy.

Use this glycolic lotion or the scrub below to help reduce keratosis pilaris, the annoying skin condition of blocked hair follicles that results in tiny bumps and rough skin.

Alpha Skin Care also makes an effective glycolic acid body wash, too!

This glycolic acid scrub contains lactic acid, another alpha hydroxy acid and chemical exfoliant, that can help smooth and soften your skin.

The scrub also contains niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3 that can help brighten your skin and replenish your skin barrier. You can use the scrub a few times a week on dry skin and then rinse.

It is formulated with Neutrogena’s patented micro-peptide that has a small size so that it can be absorbed deeper into the skin’s surface for younger-looking skin.

Peptides are short chains of amino acids that are the building blocks of proteins and support collagen production for firmer skin

Glycolic acid supplements the micro-peptides to provide a more youthful appearance by diminishing the look of fine lines and wrinkles.

The cream also contains shea butter and squalane, which are moisturizing ingredients that help to hydrate and nourish the skin.

The cream has a non-greasy, fast-absorbing formula that feels super lightweight on the skin.

You can use the cream twice a day for lifted, plumper skin with improved cheekbone definition and the look of a more contoured jawline.

Related Post: Neutrogena Rapid Firming Peptide and Collagen Review

While there are many benefits of glycolic acid in skincare, it is important to note that there are some drawbacks when it comes to using glycolic acid on your skin.

Because glycolic acid has the smallest molecule size of all alpha hydroxy acids it can be the most effective, yet it also can be the most sensitizing.

Those with sensitive skin may experience redness, irritation, and dryness when using glycolic acid.

So while glycolic acid is good for normal, oily, and combination skin types, those with sensitive skin should be careful when it comes to glycolic acid.

Glycolic acid (and all alpha hydroxy acids) makes your skin more sensitive to the sun’s UV rays, so it is very important to wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher when using glycolic acid and for a week after.

When determining whether or not to use glycolic acid with other potent actives like retinol, vitamin C, salicylic acid, or lactic acid, it really comes down to the formulas of the products.

Please note that these are general guidelines and depend on your skin type.

In general, it is best to stick to applying one glycolic acid (direct acid) product at a time, as combining a glycolic acid product with other exfoliating acids, like lactic acid, may cause irritation and redness.

With that being said, some glycolic acid products are formulated with more than one alpha hydroxy acid for optional performance.

These products are formulated with the proper percentages of acids so that they don’t over-irritate the skin.

These multi-acid products can be effective depending on your skin tolerance.

Glycolic acid and other alpha hydroxy acids are water-soluble, whereas salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid, is oil soluble.

So while glycolic acid is excellent for treating dull uneven skin, salicylic acid is excellent for reducing oil production, which can lead to acne.

Glycolic acid and salicylic acid can be combined, depending on your skin tolerance.

There are many products on the market that combine AHAs and BHAs at optimal percentages and with added ingredients like hyaluronic acid and emollients to minimize irritation.

Using glycolic acid and retinol at the same time can be irritating. Retinol and glycolic acid both increase cell turnover and both have the ability to irritate and dry out your skin.

Also, each product may decrease the potency of the other product, since they are formulated to work at specific pH levels.

Your best bet would be to alternate the usage of products containing these ingredients on different nights. Or, use glycolic acid in the morning and retinol at night.

Vitamin C, or L-Ascorbic Acid, is formulated at a specific pH for effectiveness. Combining glycolic acid with vitamin C will risk losing the potency of vitamin C.

Try using vitamin C products in the morning and glycolic acid products in the evening.

Related Post: How To Use The Ordinary Lactic Acid

If you’re looking for a skin care ingredient to give you specific benefits, where should you start? Which elements are the best for your skin, and how exactly can they help?

Getting to know the heavy hitters is essential to understand each of them better, which can help you achieve your skin care goals. Let Skin Pharm dig deeper into just one of them, glycolic acid so that you can learn how to use glycolic acid to live your best skin.

To understand glycolic acid and the benefits it can provide, you must first understand hydroxy acids.

Hydroxy acids are naturally occurring, and you can find them in a wide variety of different organic products (primarily plants).

When we discuss the use of hydroxy acids in skin care, we focus on three groups - alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) and polyhydroxy acids (PHAs). The main difference between the three is which of the carbons the hydroxyl group is attached to.

Glycolic acid belongs to the first group — alpha-hydroxy acids. The majority of AHAs come from either fruit, milk, or sugarcane. In addition to glycolic acid, other commonly used AHAs include lactic acid, tartaric acid and citric acid.

In general, AHAs are known for being chemical exfoliators. If you’re not familiar with exfoliants, their main job is clearing dead skin cells from the surface of the skin.

Doing so provides the skin with a variety of different benefits, including:

But enough about AHAs, how does glycolic acid work? What makes it unique?

As far as AHAs go, glycolic acid is the most minor and straightforward. Because of that, it also has a lower molecular weight than the other acids in this category. That weight is what makes glycolic acid so effective — it is small enough to penetrate more deeply into the skin.

Instead of only working on the surface, glycolic acid can travel into the pores. That way, it can deliver its benefits from the inside out.

Once inside the skin, it stimulates a specific type of cell in the dermis — the fibroblast. If you’re familiar with anatomy, you’ll understand why this is so important. If you’re not or need a brief refresher, fibroblasts are the cells that secrete collagen proteins into the body.

Having a way to help your skin increase its collagen levels goes a long way to helping it feel firmer and look more youthful.

But glycolic acid works on the surface of the skin as well, specifically the stratum corneum. Of the four layers of the epidermis, the stratum corneum is the outermost.

A normally functioning stratum corneum consists of very closely packed layers of tightly bonded dead skin cells. Using glycolic acid helps loosen those bonds to make them more easily removed from the skin’s surface.

Specific benefits attributed to glycolic acid include:

First and foremost, glycolic acid products are best when used as part of your evening skin care routine. The main reason is that glycolic acid can increase the skin’s sensitivity to UV radiation from the sun.

As with any new skin care ingredient, it’s a good idea to do a patch test first. That involves applying a tiny amount of the product to a small area of your skin and monitoring it for 24 hours.

If you don’t notice any adverse reactions, such as irritation, redness, hives, or itching, you should be ok to use it safely on the rest of your face.

But what products are out there?

CLEANSERS

There are multiple face washes on the market that include glycolic acid as one of their main ingredients. Most have a smaller percentage of glycolic acid, which makes them safer to use on a nightly basis without the risk of irritation.

If you choose to incorporate glycolic acid into your routine via a face wash, this will be the first step. However, if you tend to wear makeup daily, you may want to use an additional product to help you remove it before washing. Micellar water works excellent in this regard.

If you’re worried about potential irritation, this may be the way to go. Glycolic acid face washes are an excellent way to help your skin get used to the ingredient without having to go all out.

And, because glycolic acid is considered water-soluble, it is rinsed just as easily off your face with water alone. That way, if you are sensitive to the ingredient, you don’t have to worry about the impact of allowing it more time on your skin.

SERUMS + TONERS

No conversation about how to use glycolic acid would be complete without talking about serums and toners. They are by far the most common way to incorporate glycolic acid into your routine and are potentially the products that can provide the most benefit (at least of the over-the-counter options).

There are plenty of different options, which can get confusing if you don’t know what to look for.

Our favorite is Crystal Clear clarifying pads, which pack a punch while still being super easy to use. They do the work of toner in an easy, disposable form! Each pad includes not only glycolic acid but also lactic acid, salicylic acid (a BHA) and an exclusive botanical blend, including white mulberry and licorice root extract.

Serums and toners, in general, are some of the most effective ways to use glycolic acid. Instead of being rinsed off to the skin, they stay on it all night and continue to work even as you sleep. That way, you can wake up in the morning with beautiful, more even skin.

BODY POLISHES

If you’re looking to make changes to the skin all over your body, glycolic acid comes in the form of various body polishes. These polishes help to extend the benefits of glycolic acid literally from head to toe. They can make your skin silky smooth and glowing.

The benefits of glycolic acid may sound familiar to you. Many of the reasons people are attracted to glycolic acid are similar to what brings them to retinol. But can you use those two products together?

The answer is that it depends on your skin’s tolerance level. Due to the exfoliating properties of both, combining them may be too much for your skin. If you’re insistent on using them together, make sure that you’re doing it in a way that maintains your skin’s moisture barrier.

Exfoliants tend to damage this barrier, which can cause significant issues with skin irritation and dryness.

You may want to alternate glycolic acid and retinol on different nights, at least until your skin can adjust. If you notice any increase in skin irritation or peeling, you may want to stop using both for a while so you can focus on rehydrating the skin. You can always go back to using both ingredients once your skin has healed and is more resilient.

Knowing more about how to use glycolic acid can help you make the most out of this unusual ingredient. Whether you start with a face wash, Crystal Clear clarifying pads or a body polish, incorporating glycolic acid into your skin care routine can help your skin to glow and look more youthful.

Learning how to love the skin you were born with and having ways to bring out the best in it is all you need to embrace the beautiful person you’ve always been.

SOURCES:

A double-blind, randomized clinical trial on the effectiveness of a daily glycolic acid 5% formulation in the treatment of photoaging | PubMed (nih.gov)

Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current review | PubMed (nih.gov)

Whether you use it in a wash-off mask or apply it as part of your nighttime skincare routine, glycolic acid is beneficial for many different skin types and concerns. Read on to discover how to incorporate glycolic acid into your skincare routine.

Glycolic acid is an Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA). The word acid might scare you, but glycolic acid usually comes in lower concentrations for at-home use. It works as an exfoliant to turn over dead skin cells and reveal new skin cells.

It’s also one of the smallest AHAs, meaning that it can penetrate deeply to give you the best results. And it’s water-soluble, so you can “remove” it by rinsing your face with water.

Glycolic acid should always be applied in the evening, as it makes your skin sensitive to sunlight. Applying it at night gives ample time for it to do its magic without a higher risk or damaging your skin in the sun. But you should still always apply an SPF moisturizer in the morning.

There are three ways glycolic acid can be used in a skincare routine: as a face wash, as a toner, and as a mask. You should decide between using glycolic acid as a wash or as a toner every day, because they both have lower concentrations that are meant for daily use, then add a glycolic acid mask weekly. This will give you the full benefits of the acid while being safe for your skin.

Face wash with glycolic acid has a low concentration of acid (usually 8–10% or less) so it’s safe to use nightly. Glycolic acid face washes can also include salicylic acid, making it great for acne prone skin.

When glycolic acid is used in a toner, you can use it right after your nightly cleanser. In toner products, the glycolic acid is found in smaller amounts (concentration of 8–10%) compared to a mask, so it’s safe to use everyday.

Masks have a much higher concentration of glycolic acid, some up to 30%, so these should only be used weekly. A great benefit of a glycolic acid mask is it helps your other skincare products absorb better, so you should use a glycolic acid mask as the first step in a nighttime routine, then skip any glycolic acid toner if you have used a glycolic acid mask.

The answer: depends on your tolerance. If you’re already using a retinol, incorporating a glycolic acid into your routine in addition might be too much. If your skin took a long time to adjust to the retinol, consider switching each day between retinol and an acid, instead of using both every day. If your skin can tolerate it, you can use a lactic acid at night as well, but if your skin starts to peel, then cut back to one acid per day. Peeling of the skin is an indication you’re using too many acids.

As a Face Wash

As a Toner

Simply put, Glycolic Acid is an all-star ingredient that a variety of different skin types and concerns can benefit from. By effectively exfoliating and helping to speed up skin turnover, it can take your skin from dull and uneven to bright and glowing. For more information about Glycolic Acid, checkout What is Glycolic Acid and What Are The Benefits.

Glycolic Acid is the ingredient of your dreams. In other words, we recommend using this skin-renewing superstar in the evenings for a few reasons. It makes your skin more sensitive to sunlight so using it at night helps eliminate the risk of causing irritation from the sun. Even though you’ll be using Glycolic Acid at night, apply an SPF moisturizer every morning and be sure to reapply throughout the day, as needed.

When it comes to your skincare routine, the more powerful ingredients you pair together, the better, right? Not always. When it comes to Glycolic Acid, certain ingredient pairings are better than others. Before you start mixing and matching these potent ingredients like a mad scientist, checkout our quick reference guide below.

There are three ways glycolic acid can be used in a skincare routine: as a face wash, as a toner, and as a mask. You should decide between using glycolic acid as a wash or as a toner every day, because they both have lower concentrations that are meant for daily use, then add a glycolic acid mask weekly.