Glycolic Acid: A super ingredient for skin rejuvenation

The benefits of glycolic acid have been touted in the skin care industry for years, with good reason. Glycolic acid works as a superb exfoliant, uncovering healthier, brighter skin, and allowing other skin care products and ingredients to penetrate and absorb into the skin more effectively.

What is glycolic acid?

Glycolic Acid is an AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) that is commonly used in skin care. Natural glycolic acid is derived from sugar cane, though synthetic forms now exist as well. Of all the AHA’s, glycolic acid has the smallest molecules – allowing it to penetrate the skin easily. Glycolic acid is often found in cleansers, day creams, night creams, and exfoliants. Higher concentrations of glycolic acid are used for chemical peels.

How does glycolic acid work?

Glycolic acid exfoliates the top layer of the skin, allowing dead skin cells on the surface to slough off, revealing brighter, healthier skin below. This process can also clear blocked pores – helping to keep skin clear. Removing dead skin cells not only brings out the brightest, healthiest skin; it also promotes the growth of healthy cells to replace the dead skin cells.

How do I use glycolic acid?

When first incorporating a glycolic acid product, you should start with a product with a concentration of 5% or less. This way, you can evaluate how your skin reacts to the glycolic acid. Reviva Labs’ Glycolic Acid (5%) Night & Day Cream is recommended for use once daily (at night) for the first month – allowing skin to build up a “tolerance” until you can begin using the product twice per day (morning and night). After you have been using a 5% concentration for a few months, you may wish to begin using a higher concentration.

Many companies offer up to a 15% concentration, but at Reviva Labs we feel that a 10% glycolic acid concentration is the highest you should use without recommendation and intervention from a dermatologist. You can combine glycolic acid products, such as Reviva’s Glycolic Acid (2%) Facial Cleanser and our Glycolic Acid Daytime Oily Skin Cream. Again, you will want to pay close attention to how your skin reacts to the products. While it’s perfectly common to feel a slight “tingling” sensation with glycolic acid products, they should not cause redness or irritation. (Note: pH is important in glycolics. The pH (acid level) in Reviva Labs’ glycolic acid line is 3-4 pH. Above 4.5 pH, the acid level would be too weak to do much good. Yet, a number of glycolic creams on the market have a pH of 5 and above … to avoid a “stinging” feeling. Some stinging is normal. But the base in our 5% and 10% creams contains comfrey and chamomile to help fight sensitivity.)

NOTE: Our 5% Glycolic Acid Creme was discontinued when we updated our 10% Glycolic Acid Creme to be more adaptable to all skin types by utilizing a mix of buffered and unbuffered acids. The exfoliation is the same, but there's a reduced incidence of sensitivity and irritations when using our 10% Glycolic Acid Creme. 

What to watch for when using glycolic acid?

For some, glycolic acid products can cause a bit of a “stinging” sensation. A stinging or tingling sensation is normal – pain, redness, and irritation are not normal. It’s important to begin with a lower concentration of glycolic acid to allow your skin time to build up a tolerance. It also helps to pay close attention to your skin when first using glycolic acid (or any skin care product). If you notice your skin is red, painful, or irritated, you should not continue using the product. While most people are able to tolerate most AHA’s, including glycolic acid without any issues, all skin is different, and some people are extra sensitive to these types of products. That’s why we always recommend starting with a lower concentration and paying close attention to how your skin reacts.

Glycolic acid and other products

Glycolic acid can give a “boost” to other skin care products. Since it is both exfoliating the dead skin cells and penetrating deeper into the skin, it will allow your other skin care ingredients to work more efficiently. However, there are some products that should not be used in conjunction with glycolic acid. If you are taking medication such as Accutane or any other medication that causes skin sensitivity, you should avoid using glycolic acid. Likewise, if you should not use glycolic acid if you are already using another alpha hydroxy acid, or another Vitamin A product. These products already cause the skin to be sensitized, and the addition of glycolic acid can cause an unwanted reaction.

Glycolic acid and sunscreen

While we are big proponents of using sunscreen every day, it is even more important to use sunscreen when you are using glycolic acid products. Alpha hydroxy acids, such as glycolic acid, have been shown to increase skin’s sensitivity to ultraviolet rays – so it’s important to be extra-cautious about sun protection any time you have been using an AHA. See Reviva Labs’ complete line of glycolic acid skin care to find a glycolic acid product that meets your needs. If you are unsure which products fit your skin type, please contact us at 1-800-257-7774, and one of our skin care professionals can guide you.