Are you in search of a skincare ingredient that may aid you struggle pimples, darkish spots, and hyperpigmentation? If sure, look no additional than glycolic acid, which is a water-soluble Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA). This ingredient generally is a highly effective ally to your skincare routine and aid you obtain a younger-looking pores and skin. We spoke to our knowledgeable Dr Shaurya Thakran, MBBS. MD, Pores and skin and Laser Professional, Medical Aesthetician and Founder, Rakshaa Aesthetics, New Delhi, who defined glycolic acid, its advantages, and find out how to use it.
What Is Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acid, a kind of AHA, has been turning into a favorite skincare ingredient for its superb advantages on the pores and skin. This pure acid is derived from sugarcane and does its magic on the pores and skin by gently exfoliating and rejuvenating the floor.
Dr Thakran added, “Glycolic acid is appropriate for all pores and skin varieties. It helps to enhance pores and skin texture, scale back hyperpigmentation, and promote collagen manufacturing. Nonetheless, delicate pores and skin might require gradual introduction and patch testing to make sure compatibility.”
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Advantages Of Glycolic Acid
“One of many key advantages of glycolic acid is its skill to take away the highest layers of lifeless pores and skin cells. By doing so, it successfully unclogs pores, making it a superb ally within the struggle in opposition to pimples”, stated Dr Thakran. This exfoliating motion additionally helps forestall future breakouts, making it a go-to ingredient for these battling acne-prone pores and skin.
In accordance with a 2020 research by Scientific Reviews, glycolic acid can cease bacterial improvement at particular concentrations.
Glycolic acid additionally has exceptional anti-ageing properties. Dr Thakran added, “By stimulating collagen manufacturing, it improves the looks of high quality traces and wrinkles, giving your pores and skin a younger and radiant look. Other than all this, glycolic acid fades darkish spots and evens out pores and skin tone, which makes it a flexible answer for hyperpigmentation points.”
A research performed in 1999 investigated the influence of a peel infused with 70% glycolic acid on 80 feminine contributors affected by pimples. The findings revealed speedy enchancment throughout varied types of pimples, with a notable enhancement noticed in comedonal pimples, characterised by the blockage of pores as a consequence of a buildup of oil and lifeless pores and skin cells.
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Issues To Hold In Thoughts
Nonetheless, conserving a couple of issues in thoughts when utilizing glycolic acid is crucial. At the start, focus is essential. “Over-the-counter skincare merchandise (which can be found at pharmacies) often include concentrations of 10% or much less, that are typically secure for many pores and skin varieties. Nonetheless, larger concentrations ought to solely be used after consulting a dermatologist, as they are often harsher on the pores and skin”, highlighted Dr Thakran.
Talking of harshness, glycolic acid may also trigger some degree of irritation, particularly for these with delicate pores and skin. So, begin gradual and finally improve the frequency of use in keeping with the tolerance. Consulting with a dermatologist earlier than incorporating glycolic acid into your skincare routine is all the time a sensible choice, particularly if in case you have any underlying pores and skin situations.
Bottomline
Dr Thakran concluded, “Glycolic acid presents plenty of advantages for the pores and skin, starting from pimples prevention to anti-ageing and pores and skin tone correction. Nonetheless, it is vital to make use of it responsibly and below the steering of a licensed dermatologist to make sure optimum outcomes and minimise the danger of negative effects. So, should you’re trying to change up your skincare routine, glycolic acid would possibly simply be the ingredient you have been looking for.”
[Disclaimer: This article contains information provided by an expert and is for informational purposes only. Hence, we advise you to consult your expert before adding anything to your skincare routine, especially if you are dealing with any skin issues.]
