As far as peeling agents go, Glycolic acid is one of those miracle ingredients for brighter, more radiant complexion. The potent ingredient (that derms swear by, btw) is found in a slew of cult skincare products, purported to re-texturize dull, uneven, and even acne-prone skin and reverse signs of aging. You’ve likely heard about Glycolic acid and its benefits, and maybe you’ve even already hopped on the bandwagon and experimented with the creme de la creme of the Alpha Hydroxy Acid family. These are a lot of claims for one ingredient to live up to, so I asked Dr. Carmen Castilla of Tribeca Skin Center, which offers an array of peels, including Glycolic, Salicylic, PCA, and other peels in their lineup, why Glycolic should nab a spot in your beauty arsenal.
What is Glycolic acid?
It’s the answer to all your hyper-pigmentation woes, that’s for sure. “Glycolic acid is an AHA, or Alpha Hydroxy Acid. It’s a water soluble acid and an ingredient that increases luminosity of the skin because it exfoliates the outermost dead layer of the skin, which is called the Stratum Corneum, and improves the reflection of light on the skin. Sometimes people use scrubs, which are abrasive and can cause irritation, but unlike scrubs, when Glycolic acid is used at the right percentage and when done appropriately, it’s a much gentler way to exfoliate the skin.”
What types of skin does it treat?
Basically, if you’re a human being you can probably benefit from Glycolic acid. The ingredient specifically treats wrinkles, hyper-pigmentation, and acne prone skin, so if one or more of these is a skincare concern of yours, it’s worthy of your top shelf. It takes that very top layer of the skin and removes it. As we age, our skin exfoliates slower so exfoliating the skin with a little help from Glycolic reveals newer skin, which becomes more even and radiant. Read more…
