Ingredients:

Sodium hyaluronate, Glycolic Acid 2%, Glycerol/ propanetriol, Propanediol/Propylene Glycol, Triethanolamine, Phenoxyethanol, Ethyl hexyl glycerine, Aqua

• Anti-aging: It smooths fine wrinkles and improves the skin’s tone and texture.
• Hydration: It plumps the skin and prevents it from getting dry.
• Sun damage: It fades dark patches caused by sun damage and protects collagen from the sun.
• Complexion: It brightens the skin when used regularly.
• Exfoliation: It prevents ingrown hairs and makes pores appear smaller by helping the skin shed dead skin cells.
• Acne: It cleans out pores to prevent comedones, blackheads, and inflamed breakouts.

What is glycolic acid?

Glycolic acid is derived from sugarcane and belongs to the family of alpha-hydroxy acids. It has the smallest and lightest molecular weight among all acids, which makes it easy to penetrate deep into the skin and provide maximum benefits. It is odourless, colourless, and highly soluble in water.

It is added to treatments designed for oily or acne-prone skin, dry skin, dull complexions, sun-damaged skin, and mature skin. Glycolic acid was once used only on oily or acne-prone skin. Nowadays it’s recommended by dermatologists for all skin types, depending on the formula. It regulates seborrhoea on young or oily skin, and moisturises and brightens mature or dry skin, depending on the amount of glycolic acid in each treatment (between 2 and 15%). However, be warned that it can irritate sensitive skin.

Now that you know what this super ingredient is, let’s understand the benefits of glycolic acid in detail and why you should consider adding it in your skincare ritual.

Benefits of glycolic acid

• Reduces fine lines and wrinkles

Glycolic acid reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by exfoliating the top layer of the skin. This, in turn, accelerates skin cell renewal, increases collagen production, and maintains the skin’s natural ability to retain hydration while preventing and reducing fine lines and wrinkles. Apart from dissolving dead skin cells, it flattens the skin’s surface, leaves it feeling even and makes wrinkles less noticeable. However, consistent application is vital to reduce fine lines and wrinkles effectively.

• Hydrates the skin

Moisturisation is the key to healthy skin and glycolic acid helps you unlock it. It is categorised as a humectant that attracts water molecules to itself, leaving the skin feeling hydrated.

• Makes the skin feel bright and smooth

One of the main functions or benefits of glycolic acid is that its little molecules go deep beneath your skin’s surface and eliminate dead skin cells. This reveals fresh, baby skin that is bright, soft, smooth, and radiant.

• Fades hyperpigmentation

Using glycolic acid regularly helps fade mild hyperpigmentation like dark spots and age spots. Wondering how? Hyperpigmentation happens when the surface of your skin changes its colour, starts becoming darker and the skin underneath remains less pigmented. Glycolic acid works by removing darker skin cells from the surface of your skin to reveal a fresh layer of even skin while fading hyperpigmentation. This benefit can only be achieved with regular use.

• Fights acne

Using glycolic acid for acne-prone skin is great as it exfoliates dead skin cells that tend to clog pores and trigger breakouts.

• Allows penetration of ingredients

Glycolic acid exfoliation properties not only accelerate skin cell rejuvenation but also allow deeper penetration of other skincare ingredients and help achieve maximum benefits. When your skincare products penetrate better and deeper, they work their magic and give you faster results.

• Maintains your skin’s lipids

You need to understand that even though glycolic acid melts away dead skin cells, your lipids remain intact. Now, what are lipids? Lipids are healthy fatty acids that make up the skin’s bouncy barrier while keeping the hydration in and bad stuff out.