Glycolic Acid: Definition, Uses & Benefits for Skin

When used properly, glycolic acid offers a variety of skincare benefits for numerous skincare concerns, including blemishes, ageing skin concerns, rough skin texture and hyperpigmentation. Glycolic acid has a number of unique benefits to the skin, including:

• A lower molecular weight allows it to deeply penetrate the skin.
• Promotes the skin’s natural exfoliation process to reveal fresh, brighter skin.
• Gentler on the skin compared to harsher physical exfoliation methods like scrubs and exfoliating tools.

Glycolic acid is great for blemishes! By clearing pores of dead skin cells, excess oil and blemish-causing impurities, this ingredient helps to visibly reduce breakouts and promote the production of new skin cells for fresher, clearer skin. It also helps to visibly reduce the appearance of post-blemish marks and spots.

Glycolic is very beneficial for pigmentation and discolouration. By removing the outer layer of dead skin cells, this alpha hydroxy acid promotes skin cell renewal, helping to visibly reduce the appearance of dark patches, melasma and hyperpigmentation.

How you incorporate glycolic acid into your skincare regime will depend on the specific formula. You can find glycolic acid in cleansers, serums, moisturisers and gels, helping to purify the skin and target enlarged pores, visible signs of ageing, and dull skin. Glycolic acid is sometimes used in combination with other ingredients, including lactic acid, hyaluronic acid and ceramides, to exfoliate the skin while maintaining the skin moisture barrier. 

Some skin types can benefit from using both glycolic acid and salicylic acid, but it’s not for everyone. Glycolic acid and salicylic acid are both chemical exfoliants and using the two in unison can increase the risk of over-exfoliation, which can impair the skin moisture barrier. You should only use the two together if you’re targeting blemishes or very oily skin.

Most skin types can definitely benefit from using glycolic acid and vitamin C together. We recommend starting your morning routine with an exfoliating glycolic acid cleanser and following with a potent vitamin C serum to support brighter, more even skin tone.

That being said, because the two ingredients are acidic, some sensitive skin types might find combining these ingredients lead to skin irritation. You might want to consult with a dermatologist before combining these ingredients and monitor your skin for any reactions after use.

You can use both glycolic acid and retinol in the same skincare routine, but with caution. Both ingredients can dry out the skin and using the two directly after one another can cause irritation. Instead, we recommend you use a glycolic acid cleanser in your morning routine and use retinol serum as part of your evening routine, followed with a hydrating serum and night cream.

Both these ingredients are alpha hydroxy acids that exfoliate the skin. But glycolic acid has smaller molecules that penetrate the skin more deeply, making it better for blemish-prone and oily skin types. Lactic acid, on the other hand, is generally considered a milder and gentler AHA, making it a better option for very sensitive skin types that find glycolic acid too harsh.

While glycolic acid is a relatively mild alpha hydroxy acid, side effects may include:

• Increased sensitivity to the sun (always follow glycolic acid with a broad-spectrum sunscreen!)
• Redness
• Skin irritation (for very sensitive skin)

If you experience any skin irritation or visible redness, decrease the usage of this ingredient until you notice visible improvements. It might be beneficial to patch test any new products to see if your skin tolerates glycolic acid.