Shown to be succesful for treating skin complications, glycolic acid products are very popular these days. They come in many formulations, including skin moisturizers and lotions, skin exfoliators, soaps, anti-aging creams, and facial cleansers.
So, what exactly is glycolic acid? It belongs to the group of chemicals referred to as alpha-hydroxy acids, or fruit acids, which are known for their beneficial results to the skin. This acid is extracted from sugar cane and, being both natural and organic, it has long been known to be one of the best treatments for the skin.
Glycolic acid is being used for peeling, renewing or revitalizing skin, moisturizing, and reducing signs of skin aging. To make best use of its positive effects, it can be combined with products made up of vitamin A and C, which are also recognized to be beneficial to the skin.
Whilst the positive effects of glycolic acid when used to treat pimples and other skin conditions are proven, the facts as to how it enhances and revitalizes the look of the skin are still being studied. Based on scientific studies, here are the major positive effects of this acid.
- Skin look is improved by getting rid of fine lines and wrinkles.
- It penetrates into the skin and enhances the flow of blood, which results in fresher looking skin.
- It increases skin moisture by 300% when it is ascribed 2 times daily for over a period of three weeks.
- If used in combination with skin whitening agents, it gives skin a lighter shade.
- Glycolic acid helps to treat acne and, when it is blended with salicylic acid, it is more succesful in curing acne than products created using 10% benzoyl peroxide.
- It far more effective than other typical creams for healing sun damaged skin.
If the glycolic acid proportion in the beauty products is too minimal, there may well not be any apparent effects. Nevertheless, an excessive amount of of it will result in skin impairment.
High concentrations of the substance are even applied for degreasing and rust stripping. Concentrations of more than 70% are extremely damaging. In fact, the scientists consider products with concentrations of in excess of 10% to be ‘hazardous’.
Being acid based, glycolic acid product manufacturers recognize that their products have to be neutralized so as prevent skin becoming irritated. Glycolic acid treatments, thus, have to be performed by dermatologists when the treatment involves 10%- 20% concentration of glycolic acid.
Even So, proven to be very efficacious in enhancing the skin when applied in the right amount, glycolic acid products have occupied a prominent space on the cosmetics segment.
Fight wrinkles with glycolic acid chemical peel.