The Use of Glycolic Acid in Skin Care

Whether you are young, old, a man, or a woman, you most likely have a love of your appearance and do what you can to look as good as possible. One of the most important aspects of looking good is having good skin. This is the basic aspect of what we do see in others after all and people go to extraordinary lengths in approving the look and feel of their skin, over the body and most importantly the face. Acne scars, bumps, dry skin, age spots, pustules, white-heads, blackheads, psoriasis, eczema, seborrheic keratosis, hyperkeratosis, actinic keratosis, and just plain old wrinkles can have an adverse affect on our facial skin.

One treatment in both medical and home use to treat such disfiguring skin conditions is in the use of products containing glycolic acid. In dermatological use, this acid is used in concentrations of 20%, while home care products are limited to 10%. It can be administered in even lower concentrations as a lotion for daily use or higher for facial peels used no more than once per week. Concentrations lower than 8% are said to be ineffective, so always look for a product at least 8% or it may not help you at all.

Glycolic acid comes from a group of chemicals known as alpha-hydroxy acids and is derived from sugar cane for dermatological use. Another acid in this group is citric acid and the alpha-hydroxies themselves are sometimes called fruit acids. In highly concentrated forms up to 70% glycolic acid is used industrially in rust removal and other applications. Because of its strength, there is some debate of its safety, but in low concentrations (less than 10%) it has proven effective with a minimal of side-effects.

Products containing glycolic acid work so well in dermatological situations because of its high solubility in water. When applied to the skin it is readily absorbed into the lower layers where it breaks the remaining bonds that hold dead skin to its neighbors. Also, glycolic acid can be used as a carrier in conjunction with vitamins and other nutrients to help them enter the lower layers of the skin.

Some of the primary benefits and uses of glycolic acid solutions are found below.

Applications of glycolic acid stimulate elastin and collagen in the skin. These two substances form a blanket of elasticity under the surface that thins with age. Through stimulation, this layer can be revitalized and given some resiliency.

Glycolic acid can reduce the scarring caused by acne because it lowers the ridges of the scars and raises the lowered center portion to smooth them out. Any grey shadowing will be markedly improved in many cases.

GAGS or glycos-amino-glycans are the second layer of skin under the surface. Glycolic acid has been shown to stimulate the GAGS that hold water and give the skin a more full look.

The follicles in the skin are cleaned with the application of glycolic acid. Dead cells can build up in and around follicles and the glycolic acid will keep them clean. When they are dirty, the dead cells clog the natural pores and keep the natural oils of the skin from rising to the surface. Normally, when this happens the dead skin cells rise up with the oil, instead of building up underneath.

Glycolic acid can create a more even skin tone by eliminating the darker pigments on the surface. Although the pigments will natural recur unless professionally bleach, it does provide a temporary solution.

The texture of the skin is also improved because the glycolic acid layers the cells out in a more uniform fashion.

Some of the products that can be used at home for a glycolic acid skin treatment range from creams, lotions, and peels and can be found online or in your favorite department, discount, or health and beauty store.