While applying skincare products seems straightforward, layering specific ingredients like glycolic acid requires a more careful approach. This blog post will inform you about effective practices to layer glycolic acid into your skincare routine for optimal results. The human body encounters various medical conditions, including skin issues. However, it is what makes us conscious of our skin. Our skin is also vulnerable to numerous conditions, ranging from acne scars to skin cancer, each requiring different treatments. However, a tropical ingredient, glycolic acid, deals with some situations. Here we will provide you with some effective practices for layering glycolic acid with other skincare products!
Understanding Glycolic Acid
Let’s demystify glycolic acid first. It is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) with well-known exfoliating qualities. It smoothes the skin and brings a bright complexion by dissolving dead skin cells on the surface. Therefore, it is the preferred ingredient for addressing problems with uneven texture, dullness, and even little wrinkles.
Compatibility Of Glycolic Acid With Other Skincare Ingredients
Let’s now discuss combining and matching skincare items with glycolic acid. While glycolic acid works well with various substances, some combinations should be avoided. For instance, soothing plants like aloe vera blend effectively with glycolic acid and other AHAs, offering a hydrating effect. These combinations help balance out glycolic acid’s exfoliating effects, providing moisturizing and soothing benefits for your skin.
Nevertheless, use caution when using glycolic acid with other potent active substances like vitamin C or retinoids. These substances have distinct benefits individually; however, combining them may lead to skin irritation or excessive exfoliation. It is advised to gradually add them to your routine and determine how your skin responds.
Ingredients That Work Well With Glycolic Acid
Aloe Vera: Provides hydration and soothes the skin, balancing glycolic acid’s exfoliating effects.
Hyaluronic Acid: Boosts hydration, ensuring the skin barrier remains intact.
Niacinamide: Helps reduce redness and supports skin healing.
Ingredients to Avoid Pairing With Glycolic Acid
Vitamin C: Combining these two active ingredients may cause irritation and reduce effectiveness.
Retinoids: Using retinoids and glycolic acid together can lead to over-exfoliation and heightened sensitivity.
Other AHAs or BHAs: Combining exfoliants like lactic acid or salicylic acid with glycolic acid can result in over-exfoliation.
Pro Tip: Introduce these activities into your routine gradually to determine how your skin reacts.
Best Practices For Layering Glycolic Acid
Let’s learn about the techniques for layering glycolic acid with other skincare products. To ensure you get the most out of your workout, follow these steps:
- Start With Cleansing & Toning: Thoroughly cleanse your face to remove makeup, oil, and debris. Then, use a mild toner to let your skin absorb the following items more effectively.
- Apply Serums & Treatments First: Apply any targeted serums or treatments you may be using before employing glycolic acid. Doing so enables these products to fill the skin for optimal effectiveness.
- Gently Apply Glycolic Acid: Apply a tiny quantity of glycolic acid evenly across your face. Do not get any near your delicate eye region. As your skin gets more tolerant, start with a lower concentration—roughly 5-8% for beginners—and gradually increase the frequency or strength.
- Follow With Moisturizer: After allowing the glycolic acid to absorb for a few minutes, apply a nourishing moisturizer to hydrate your skin. This prevents dryness or irritation and repairs the skin’s barrier.
- Don’t Forget Sunscreen: To round off your morning skincare regimen, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Sunscreen is a must to prevent UV damage because glycolic acid may increase your skin’s sensitivity to sunlight.
Potential Side Effects & Precautions
One must be aware of the side effects of glycolic acid and tips to manage them. So, be careful when using glycolic acid with any active component in skincare products. It is usually safe for most skin types, especially when using it. However, this might have minor side effects like tingling, redness, or dryness, and to lessen these impacts:
- Patch Test: Before using glycolic acid on your entire face, patch test a tiny area of your skin to help prevent potential side effects.
- Commence Gradually: The need for a patch test verifies the drawbacks, while another precaution is to initiate with low concentration. This reduces the chances of adverse effects if your skin doesn’t tolerate this formulation.
- Liberally Moistened:Living organisms do not welcome skin dryness or irritation. To reduce dryness or irritation, keep your skin hydrated using moisturizers appropriate for your skin type.
Conclusion
Incorporating glycolic acid into your skincare routine can transform your skin, leaving it brighter, smoother, and more youthful. However, understanding how to layer it correctly and being aware of potential side effects is essential for achieving the best results. Consult a dermatologist for personalized advice, and opt for high-quality products like Bio-One Glycolic Acid for reliable performance.
With these best practices, you’ll be well on your way to glowing, healthy skin!
What is the perfect pair for glycolic acid?
Combine glycolic acid with additional skincare products for potential results. For example, using it with vitamin C can brighten the skin or hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin.
What formulation should not be used with glycolic acid?
While both lactic and glycolic acid are great exfoliators, layering them can be too harsh for your skin. The combined strength can irritate and over-exfoliate, leaving your skin worse for wear. It’s best to stick to one AHA at a time.
Is using glycolic acid daily an intelligent idea?
It is acceptable to use face wash or ointments with 1-2% glycolic acid once a day. To avoid skin irritation, lotions containing 10% or more glycolic acid should only be used once or twice weekly.
Should I use sunscreen after applying glycolic acid?
Since glycolic acid makes you more susceptible to sunburn, experts recommend applying it at night. This lessens sun exposure during use. However, sunscreen is still crucial! Always apply sunscreen as the last step of your skincare routine before going outside while using AHAs.