Glycolic acid is another one of those active skincare ingredients that’s often talked about and touted for its skin benefits. If you're looking for a way to get smooth, radiant, and youthful-looking skin, glycolic acid could be the answer you're looking for. Glycolic Acid is a type of alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that has an ability to exfoliate skin and refine its tone and texture.  

How Does Glycolic Acid Work?

Glycolic acid works by breaking down the bonds between dead skin cells, allowing them to be more easily removed from the surface of the skin. This process helps to improve the texture and appearance of the skin, making it look brighter, smoother, and more radiant.

Glycolic Acid has the smallest molecule of all AHA’s which means it can absorb into the skin and exfoliate even better than other AHA’s this also makes it more tolerated on the skin. 

Glycolic Acid – unlike Salicylic Acid (a BHA) can be slightly more tolerable on the skin depending on the product’s individual formulation and the concentration of ingredients.  Glycolic Acid works more at the surface level of the skin to refresh and renew whilst Salicylic Acid is more targeted towards blemishes and breakouts.  

Skincare with Glycolic Acid 

Glycolic acid can be found in many skincare products including cleansers, toners, serums, and moisturizers. 

In Mario Badescu Skincare Glycolic Acid stars as an ingredient in many of our products.

Glycolic Treatment Gel: Glycolic Gel is a concentrated glycolic acid treatment which can help to remove pore clogging impurities. Its lightweight gel formula makes it ideal for problematic skin with blemishes and breakouts. 

Glycolic Renewal Complex: Our Glycolic Renewal Complex is a unique overnight cream which helps to retexturize skin with the power of Glycolic Acid, combined with Papaya Extract to help further renew skin and provide fruit enzyme powered exfoliation and a range of moisturizing ingredients of honey our renewal complex softens and rehydrates and reveals brighter and smoother skin.  

Glycolic Acid Toner: A toner can be one of the best delivery methods for glycolic acid. Use it after cleansing to refresh skin as it helps to balance and brighten with Glycolic Acid as its core ingredient. The alcohol-free formula also includes an infusion of Grapefruit extract and Aloe Vera helps to diminish the appearance of premature aging and uneven, congested skin. 

Glycolic Foaming Cleanser: Our Glycolic Foaming Cleanser works to deeply cleanse and exfoliate the skin. With a concentrated AHA-Glycolic Acid base it’s a cleanser that helps to super cleanse skin (and as such should be used 1 to 3 times a week at the most). Functioning as a brightening cleanser it helps with dullness, clogged pores, hyperpigmentation and deeply cleanses away impurities, oils and dirt whilst helping to refine pores. 

Glycolic Eye Cream: Eye creams with glycolic acid are few and far between as it’s a formula that requires special consideration to get right. Our rich and emollient eye cream with glycolic acid helps retexture the skin and improve the look of lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone making it ideal for a lackluster eye area. Reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and dark circles around the eyes. For nourishment and hydration it also contains antioxidant-rich ingredients like aloe vera, avocado oil, and green tea extract.

Benefits of Glycolic Acid for Skin

Exfoliates the Skin

Glycolic Acid can work as a chemical exfoliant – as the acids work to break down dead skin cells on the surface of the skin exfoliating can help to refresh and renew the skin for a healthier look. 

Improves Skin Texture

Glycolic acid can also help to improve skin texture – this is due to the process of removing dead skin cells on top of the skin and also deeply cleansing pores thus it leaves the skin feeling smoother (and this can also help your makeup apply smoother and look more seamless).

Brightens the Skin

Glycolic acid can also help to brighten the skin by removing dead skin cells and revealing the brighter, smoother skin that lies beneath. The brightening properties make it a particularly great ingredient for those with discoloration, dullness, and pigmentation. 

Glycolic Acid FAQ

Q: Is glycolic acid safe for all skin types? 

A: Glycolic acid is generally safe for all skin types, although those with sensitive skin may want to use it in lower concentrations or less frequently. 

Q: How often can I use glycolic acid products?

A: The frequency of use will depend on the concentration of glycolic acid in the product and your skin type. Certain products with a lower concentration of glycolic acid may be used daily, while those with higher concentrations function more as a glycolic acid treatment of sorts and may need to be used less frequently. Consider starting out with a lower frequency of use and gradually increase the frequency as your skin becomes more tolerant – but always ensure you follow the instructions on your product!

Q: Should I use glycolic acid in the morning or night? 

A: Glycolic acid products are generally best used in the evening as they do have exfoliating properties and they may increase sun sensitivity. When using products with glycolic acid in your skincare routine be sure to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 on a daily basis.

Whether you're looking to exfoliate the skin, improve its texture, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, brighten the skin, or hydrate it, glycolic acid could be the answer you're looking for.

*Not recommended for use with topical prescriptions, acne-erupted or sensitive skin.