COSMETIC INGREDIENTS: HOW GLYCOLIC ACID WORKS April 28, 2010 by Beauty Editor

One of the super ingredients for helping diminish age spots, fine lines, wrinkles and acne.  It has long been used in cosmetic products but has lost some of it's popularity with new ingredients coming to light..

HOW IS IT USED

Glycolic acid can be found in at-home treatments and at dermatologists/ aesthetic spas.  At-home treatments contain a solution no greater than 10-20% depending on the country, whereas glycolic or chemical peels performed by a dermatologist or aesthetician contain 20% to 70% concentration.

This ingredient can be found in cosmetic products for:
Wrinkles
Hyperpigmentation, age or brown spots
Acne
Scarring


WHAT IS IT

Glycolic Acid or hydroxyacetic acid is the smallest AHA or a-hydroxy acid.  It is a odorless, colorless, hygroscopic ( attracts and holds water ) crystalline solid. Can be found in natural sources such as; sugarcane, sugar beets, pineapple, cantaloupe and unripe grapes.


HOW DOES IT WORK

Glycolic acid is able to penetrate the skin and get down to the deep layers of the skin where it can go to work. It works by weakening the binding properties of the lipids that hold the dead skin cells together.  New cells are exposed by "peeling the top layer of skin off".