Rosacea Creams Exposed

The Beauty Behind Using A Good Glycolic Acid Lotion

Posted by: Editor on August 26, 2016 Under: Blog |

Unfortunately, in a world where pollution, unhealthy diets and poor lifestyle choiceshave become a normal part of daily life for most people, there is a pressing need to detox and purify thebody. Clearing toxins from the skin makes it so that it can remain healthy and more visibly glowing for as long as possible. Some experts saythe best way to do this is with the help of various glycolic acid products, such as glycolic acid lotion, peels, creams, scrubs and much more.

Why All the Buzz Around Glycolic Acid?

Keeping your skin healthy, moisturized and vibrant is no easy task, especially when you’re leading a busy life. This is where glycolic acid comes in, because it is a special kind of substance that does your skin a favor by keeping it beautiful, glowing and healthy.

Glycolic acid is usually extracted from sugar cane, although the National Cancer Institute also says that the same acid is present in sugar beets and a number of fruits. These include cantaloupe, unripe grapes, cherries, blueberries and strawberries, as well as pineapples.

The reason why glycolic acid is highly beneficial and nourishing is because it belongs to a family of natural acids known as alpha-hydroxy acids, more commonly known as AHA’s.

Skin Smarts: Getting to Know Your AHA’s

AHA’s are a group of natural acids that you typically find in foods. Aside from glycolic acid, other AHA’s include lactic acid, malic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid 2-hydroxyoctanoic acid and2-hydroxydecanoic acid. A number of these acids are applied to the skin for a number of reasons including exfoliation of dead skin cells, and as a treatment for a host of common skin conditions.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) many products that contain AHA’s are typically used to exfoliate or cause shedding on the surface of the skin. The extent of the product’s exfoliation properties; however, depends on the type of AHA the product contains, the particular AHA’s level of concentration and the AHA’s pH level, as well as other ingredients that the acid is interacting within the product.

Among all the AHA’s used in the cosmetic and skin care industry, glycolic acid is one of the acids that is most commonly used, along with lactic acid.

The Wonders of Glycolic Acid for Your Skin

Glycolic acid nourishes and renews yourskin in a number of ways. This is why it is highly recommended by skin care experts and other professionals. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons as to why you should make glycolic acid a part of your regular beauty regimen.

Glycolic Acid: A Proven Exfoliator

Glycolic acid has been proven to be a natural skin exfoliator. This means it can safely help remove the dead skin cells on the outer layer of the skin. As this happens, a new skin is allowed to surface, making you look healthier and more glowing.

Glycolic acid is effective when it comes to exfoliating the skin because it is able to help dissolve the tight bonds of protein that tend to hold dead skin cells together. With these bonds gone, these skin cells become easier to remove.

The truth is, everybody can benefit from an exfoliation treatment every now and then. Aside from getting rid of dead skin cells, regular exfoliation also helps kill bacteria in the skin, as well as prevent unwanted skin breakouts such as pimples and rashes. Exfoliation also helps improve your skin tone and even brighten your complexion.

The benefits of skin exfoliation are amazing, so much so that Kate Somerville, a skin care expert in Hollywood, says that you should think about having an exfoliation treatment twice a week to bring out your inner glow and keep your skin looking youthful. The good news is, you don’t have to go to a special clinic just to get an exfoliation treatment with glycolic acid. This is because it is relatively easy to prepare one right at home.

How to Exfoliate with Glycolic Acid from Home

Making your own exfoliation cream is easy, with the help of a handful of ingredients that may already be found in your kitchen. For instance, the following exfoliation solution recipe calls for plain yogurt, muscovado sugar, olive oil or almond oil, chamomile tea and any essential oil you might prefer, such as rose or lavender:

• In a mixing bowl, combine two tablespoons of muscovado sugar with one to two drops of essential oil.
• Add in one to two tablespoons of plain yogurt and mix together gently until you get a creamy paste.
• Apply this paste onto your face.
• Wait three to four minutes before splashing a little water onto your face and massaging the applied sugar paste in light circular motions using your fingertips.
• Once you’re done, rinse off the sugar paste from your face with warm water.
• Afterwards, splash chamomile tea onto your face and use it as your final face rinse.
• Finish your exfoliation routine by massaging a bit of almond oil or olive oil onto your face while your skin is still damp. This will help seal in the moisture in your skin and keep it nice and smooth.

In case you are worried about any allergic reaction of this sugar paste to your skin, you may want to try doing a little allergy patch test first. You can do this by applying a bit of the paste to a small part of your inner arm and covering with a bandage. After 24 hours, you can check your skin for any signs of irritation.

Glycolic Acid: Does It Work on Stretch Marks, Too?

Aside from removing dead skin cells, glycolic acid also helps in making unwanted stretch marks appear less visible throughout the body. Stretch marks appear when the skin gets stretched too quickly, often as a result of sudden weight changes in the body, as well as pregnancy.

Glycolic acid can help make stretch marks on the body fade because it is able to peel away the top layer of the skin, allowing for new, unblemished skin to take its place. It must be noted, however, that this acid may not be capable of removing your stretch marks completely.

This is because glycolic acid is only able to exfoliate the first layer of the skin. Since stretch marks tend to go as deep as the skin’s second layer, it’s safe to say that a glycolic acid lotion for stretch marks can only help these marks become less visible, but not remove it altogether.

Can Glycolic Acid Heal Your Acne Scars?

 Acne scars are typically the result of inflamed skin blemishes caused by engorgement in the skin pores due to dead skin cells, bacteria and excess oil. As a result, the pores in the skin swells and causes the follicle wall to break. When this happens, lesions tend to break out.

Normally, shallow lesions can quickly heal and fade. However, when there is a deep break in the wall of the skin pore, infected material can readily spill out into the surrounding tissue in the skin and create deeper lesions. These kinds of lesions are harder to treat. Often, they leave unwanted visible marks on skin.

Glycolic acid is said to be the best treatment for those dealing with strong cases of acne. This is because this kind of acid can readily cleanse and moisturize the affected part of your skin while also helping prevent anymore acne breakout. Typically, regular treatment of acne scars with glycolic acid can help them become less visible with time. For these, you may want to try a glycolic acid lotion for scars available in the market today.

How Does Glycolic Acid Help Treat Melasma?

Melasma is a skin disorder that takes on the appearance of blue-gray, brown or tan spots on the face. It usually occurs in women aged 20 to 50 years old. This skin problem is often caused by sun exposure, hormonal changes or a genetic disposition.

Experts have said that glycolic acid can readily treat melasma using a strict regimen that involves applying a 10 percent glycolic acid lotion for two weeks, then following that up with a glycolic acid facial peeling therapy that uses a product with 50 percent glycolic acid. This is applied to the affected part of the skin for three months. Afterwards, the melasma will reportedly disappear.

Using Glycolic Acid for Pore Issues

When left untreated, clogged pores can readily cause blackheads and acne. Luckily, a bit of glycolic acid can keep this from happening by helping clean your pores and keep dirt from coming in again.

As far as clogged pores are concerned, glycolic acid can readily help clean it, since it is the AHA with the smallest molecular size. This means it is able make its way into skin faster and far deeper than any other naturally occurring AHA.

While the glycolic acid will not make it way deep inside the pore, it will exfoliate the skin surface, which can readily “unroot” the pore openings, therefore decreasing the amount of dead skin cells that normally get trapped inside the pore. This way, skin problems like blackheads and acne are less likely to happen.

Can Glycolic Acid Make You Ageless?

Aside from helping a number of skin blemishes fade, glycolic acid can also help make your skin more supple, vibrant and youthful than ever. This is because this kind of acid stimulates collagen and elastin in the skin, allowing it to stay soft and moisturized.

The ability of glycolic acid to also increase collagen growth in the skin leads to as much as a 25-percent increase in skin thickness. This, in turn, results in the softening of fine lines and wrinkles around the face, making you look visibly younger without much effort.

Glycolic Acid and Hair Care: A Superhero Duo for Your Tresses

There may still be some lack of evidence and study around it, but preliminary findings have showed that glycolic acid is also beneficial for your hair, especially when it comes to preventing hair fall out.

Researchers at DuPont have found that using a glycolic formula in the hair resulted in increased hair strength, which means less breakage when the hair is being brushed, regardless of whether it is wet or dry.

Glycolic acid may have a number of benefits, with some of them still requiring further study. While research on these continues, there is also an equally pressing need to address a number of myths surrounding glycolic acid and to dispel them so as not to mislead anyone any further.

The Real Deal: Debunking Glycolic Acid Myths

Here are some statements surround glycolic acid that are not completely true:

• Myth Number 1: Glycolic acid is bad for sensitive skin. This kind of acid is reportedly safe for sensitive skin. Just to be safe; however, it is recommended to start with a low concentration of glycolic acid for the skin before increasing its concentration gradually. Typically, it is recommended to start with a concentration of five percent every other day for four weeks before moving on to a 10 percent concentration.

• Myth Number 2: Glycolic acid can’t be used regularly. You are able to readily build a skin regimen around your favorite glycolic acid products. You can even apply some home-based skin care products with glycolic acid to your skin daily. Just be sure to follow the recommended use, and as with any other skin product, do not overdo using it.

• Myth Number 3: Glycolic acid is only for mature skin. This kind of acid can be readily used by younger people, including those as young as 15. Just to be sure, consult with a dermatologist or pediatrician before applying any glycolic acid cream, lotion or moisturizer on your child’s skin.

• Myth Number 4: Glycolic acid leads to skin irritation. While various skin types respond to glycolic acid differently, in-clinic glycolic acid treatment products tend to be both effective and safe. Some people may experience redness on the skin or a slight tingling sensation upon applying the glycolic acid product; however, these are only temporary and tend to go away with time.

In the rare event that the condition persists, rinse off the product and stop using it immediately. It is also recommended to consult with your doctor.

• Myth Number 5: Glycolic acid causes dry skin. In contrast, glycolic acid increases hydration in the skin as it can draw moisture into your newly exfoliated skin surface.

• Myth Number 6: Glycolic acid can cause cancer. According to the U.S. FDA, the application of glycolic acid has no effect on photo-carcinogenesis, or the development of cancer cells that is associated with exposure to light.

With these myths dispelled, it’s time to discover a host of glycolic acid products that you can readily become a part of your regular beauty regimen in order to remove unwanted skin problems and make your skin more beautiful.

Getting to Know the Glycolic Acid Products You Can Use

Glycolic acid is currently an active ingredient in a host of beauty products that you can readily try without having to make a mess at home. Here are some readily available in stores today. Choose the one that’s right for your needs and your budget. It is also recommended to check with your dermatologist which kind of glycolic acid product is ideal for you to use.

Glycolic Acid Peel

Glycolic acid peels work by removing the top layer of the skin, along with scars, wrinkles and fine lines. They also make the skin less oily and clearer. Here are some of the most popular glycolic acid peel products available today:

• Skin Obsession 40% Glycolic Acid Peel – This glycolic acid peel is said to make find lines and wrinkles on the skin less visible without any visible peeling. It also comes with free microdermabrasion crystals for further exfoliation.

• Skin Authority Resurfacing Accelerator – This is a leave-on exfoliator that makes the skin firmer and smoother while bringing out its radiant glow. Using AHA derived from sugar cane, it also helps reduce the appearance of oil on the skin.

• OZNaturals Glycolic 50 Percent Medium+ Strength Micro Peel – This peel reportedly produces immediate results and has great anti-aging properties. It can also be applied on neck, arms, legs, hands and back.

Glycolic Acid Cleanser

Glycolic acid cleansers tend to come in a number of strength formulations. Like with other skin products, it is better to try the lightest formulation first before moving on to stronger ones.

• Aqua Glycolic Facial Cleanser – This cleanser is affordable and is ideal for treating skin that is prone to acne since it is mild. It also helps smoothen out razor bumps.

• Glytone Step Up Cleanse Mild Gel Wash – This cleanser removes oil, dirtand residue from yourskin while making sure to restore its natural pH balance.

• Peter Thomas Roth Glycolic Acid 3 Percent Face Wash – This cleanser also contains pro vitamin B5 and allantoin to help reduce wrinkles and fine lines on the face. The best part is, its mild formula makes it ideal for safe daily usage.

• SkinCeuticals Purifying Cleanser – This cleanser is effective in detoxifying the skin and leaving it feeling clean and refreshed.

 Mario Badescu Glycolic Foaming Cleanser – This mild cleansing formula is also made with herbal extract that helps hydrate and soothe the skin while dead skin cells are being removed.

Glycolic Acid Lotion

For those who are not into peels, there are also some glycolic acid lotions readily available that have the same properties that are helpful to the skin. Here are some of the most widely used brands today:

• DeVita High Performance Glycolic Acid Blend – This lotion is made with a natural glycolic acid blend formula tohelp minimize any skin breakouts while making wrinkles, darkened spots and lines less visible. You can buy this glycolic acid lotion at Walgreens.

• Enlite Flawless Body A GLOW GLOW Shimmering Glycolic Body Lotion– This lotion promises to effectively exfoliate the skin while reducing any visible signs of aging. It also contains lemon peel extract that helps give your skin a brighter glow. You can readily buy this glycolic acid lotion at CVS.

• Alpha Hydrox Enhanced Glycolic Lotion– This lotion is said to be ideal for those dealing with oily skin. It can also be readily used as a spot treatment for blackheads and other skin blemishes.

• Healthy Skin Face Lotion – This glycolic acid lotion by Neutrogena reduces the appearance of skin blemish and discoloration while protecting the skin from the sun. This product can also readily serve as a regular multi-vitamin facial treatment.

• Reviva Labs 10% Glycolic Acid Cream – This paraben free natural cream makes for better exfoliation. It uses glycolic acid extracted from sugar and rhubarb.

• Toulôn Anti Wrinkle Face Moisturizer with Glycolic Acid and Jojoba Oil – This glycolic acid face cream is said to be natural, organic and absolutely cruelty-free. Aside from using 10 percent glycolic acid, this face cream also has other helpful ingredients such as lactic acid, licorice root, green tea, grapeseed oil, rosehip oil and vitamins C and E.

• ASDM Beverly Hills Glycolic Acid Complex– This cream is made with 15 percent full strength glycolic acid that readily exfoliates skin while gently renewing it to make the skin supple. Ideal as a night cream, it also comes with other natural ingredients such as pineapple extract, honey powder extract and vitamin A.

Starting Slowly: How to Use Glycolic Acid Products Safely

If it’s your first time to use glycolic acid for your skin, start with a skin exfoliator to help build up your tolerance for the ingredient. Monitor how your skin reacts to it and reduce your usage to once every two or three days for a few weeks should your skin become red or irritated.

Glycolic acid is a natural substance that does various wonders for the skin. It’s up to you how you want to get your regular dose of this particular AHA, whether it’s using a glycolic acid lotion, soap, serum, cream or peel. Go over your options carefully and discover what works best for you and your skin.