Proven effective for treating skin problems, glycolic acid products have become popular these days. These products come in many formulations, including skin moisturizers and lotions, skin exfoliators, soaps, anti-aging creams, and facial cleansers.
What is Glycolic Acid?
Glycolic acid belongs to the group of chemicals known as alpha-hydroxy acids or fruit acids, which are known for their beneficial effects to the skin. This acid is extracted from sugar cane. And since glycolic acid is a natural organic acid, it has been considered one of the best treatments for the skin. It has been used in peeling, renewing or revitalizing skin, moisturizing, and eliminating signs of skin aging.
The Effects of Glycolic Acid
Although the beneficial effects of glycolic acid as treatment for acne and other skin conditions are unarguable and proven, the details on how this substance improves and revitalizes the appearance of the skin is still being studied. Based on studies, here are the major beneficial effects of this acid.
- Studies on the effects of glycolic acid on the skin have shown that beauty products containing glycolic acid helps improve the skin appearance by eliminating fine lines and wrinkles. Measured by computer analysis, one study shows the people who used glycolic products for three weeks have reduced fine lines. Perhaps the factor that helps reduced fine lines is its moisturizing properties. When used through moisturizing lotions and creams, glycolic acid penetrates into the skin to help improve the proper flow of blood, making the skin looks fresh.
- This acid has also been proven to increase skin moisture by 300% when applied twice daily for three weeks. And when used in combination with skin bleaching agents, studies have also shown that glycolic acid helps lighten the skin.
- Glycolic acid, when used in combination with products containing salicylic acid, has also been proven to treat acne. A new study suggests that a product with a combination of salicylic is more effective in treating acne than products containing 10% benzoyl peroxide.
- Proven much more effective than other regular lotions and gels, glycolic acid products have also been used to treat sun damaged skin. It has also been used in facial peels by dermatologists.
Being acid based, manufacturers of products with glycolic acid recognize that the glycolic acid content of their products have to be neutralized. Otherwise, it will irritate the skin. Glycolic acid treatments, thus, have to be performed by dermatologists when the treatment involves 10%- 20% concentration of glycolic acid. When the glycolic acid content of beauty products is too little, it usually don’t work too well. However, too much acid content will result in skin damage. High concentrations of glycolic acid are even used for rust removal and degreasing. Concentrations of 70% or more are extremely damaging. In fact, the government considers products with concentrations of more than 10% already hazardous.
But proven to be really effective in improving the skin when applied in the right amount, glycolic acid products have occupied a prominent space on the cosmetics market. To maximize its beneficial effects, people combine them with products containing vitamin A and C, which have also been proven beneficial to the skin.
Get the skin you always wanted. Find out more on glycolic acid facial cleanser and other glycolic acid chemical peel that guarantee you a clear and fresh-looking skin.
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