Skincare is a mysterious thing isn’t it? With so many products on the market, it’s hard to know which ones you should be investing your hard earned cash on. BHA’s, AHA’s, Acid this, Exfoliate that… Sometimes you just give up and go for the product with the most eye catching packaging, or just head for the cheapest on the shelf. But skincare doesn’t have to be as daunting as it first seems. All you need to know is a few key ingredients to look out for to ensure you’re making the most of your skin type. Not to mention the impressive looks you’ll get when dropping your new found knowledge in general conversation from time to time.
So, What Exactly is Glycolic Acid?
Glycolic Acid, sometimes know as hydroxyacetic acid, is a chemical formula which is becoming increasingly more popular within a range of skincare products. Glycolic Acid is the smallest α-hydroxy acid, which you will sometimes see listed on a skincare product as an ‘AHA’. Despite being called a ‘acid’ which can at first sound rather daunting, Glycolic acid is usually isolated from natural sources such as pineapples and melons, which somehow instantly makes the solution seem slightly less scary.
What Does Glycolic Acid Do?
Glycolic Acid is praised for its capabilities to react with the top layer of your skin and clear out dead cells, revealing a brighter complexion and unblocking pores. It’s basically a liquid version of those gritty face washes you’ve seen around, but a little more gentle to your skin. Perfect for treating fine lines, spots, dull and oily complexions, as well as a multitude of other benefits, this skin friendly acid is creeping its way in to our daily skincare routines. If you know your skin, or you’ve ever suffered from spots, acne scars, fine lines or a dull complexion then glycolic acid is the key skincare ingredient you’ve been looking for.