Glycolic Acid

What is it?

Glycolic acid is the smallest alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), derived from sugar cane, used at low concentrations for at-home exfoliation and at much higher concentrations for professional in-clinic peels.

What does it do?

Commonly used to exfoliate the skin surface and improve the appearance of photoaged skin, fine lines and texture; professional-strength peels have shown measurable wrinkle-depth improvement in controlled trials, though with more adverse events than gentler alternatives like retinaldehyde.

Who may benefit?

• May help with: Dullness
• May help with: Texture & Scarring
• May help with: Fine Lines & Aging

How to use

Typically formulated at 0.1%-10% for at-home leave-on products; 20%-70% for professional in-clinic peels.

Use with caution

• Retinaldehyde — Space out use

  Combining a retinoid with a direct AHA in the same routine compounds irritation and dryness.

  Use on alternating nights.

• Encapsulated Retinoid — Space out use

  Combining a retinoid with a direct AHA in the same routine compounds irritation and dryness.

  Use on alternating nights.

• Retinol — Space out use

  Combining a retinoid with a direct AHA in the same routine compounds irritation and dryness.

  Use on alternating nights, or apply one in the AM and the other in the PM if both are wanted.

• Lactic Acid — Space out use

  Both are direct AHAs — combining them adds exfoliation intensity without a clear added benefit over using one at an appropriate strength.

  Choose one AHA per routine rather than stacking both.

• Salicylic Acid — Space out use

  Stacking two exfoliating acids in one routine raises the risk of over-exfoliation and barrier disruption.

  Alternate which one is used per session rather than layering both.

Real products containing this

• AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution — The Ordinary

Sources