What is Glycolic Acid?

As you may have guessed from the brief introduction of our article, glycolic acid is a substance widely used in the production of cosmetics, especially as regards face creams and other body care products.

Specifically, it is one of the many acids that are obtained from fruit, from sugar cane, but also from beets. Its diffusion in the cosmetics sector is due to its ability to penetrate the skin tissue making significant changes.

The peculiar characteristic of glycolic acid is that it is able to perform a real peeling on the skin , i.e. it is capable of removing dead cells found on the surface, thus stimulating the natural production of new cells.

In practice, glycolic acid can literally stimulate the natural process of cell renewal, making the skin smoother, younger and fresher, eliminating, among other things, the unsightly spots typical of aging.

Precisely for this reason, the glycolic acid-based creams we will discuss in this article are not only and exclusively indicated for more mature skins, but also for younger skins, especially those skin types that are prone to acne.

Glycolic acid is also widely used in beauty salons and dermatological centers to restore tone and freshness to the skin , however today we will focus on the effects of this product and, specifically, on the creams that contain it that we can find on the market.

What are glycolic acid creams used for?

Therefore, we can say that the constant use of glycolic acid-based creams would be useful for regenerating the skin, making it visibly more hydrated, smoother, with a decidedly more homogeneous colour.

In fact, thanks to their unique and miraculous properties, these creams are used to achieve the following results:

• Promote the increase of the natural synthesis of elastin and collagen;
• Eliminate skin blemishes;
• Eliminate dead cells deposited on the surface layer of the skin;
• Stimulate the formation of new skin cells;
• Deeply moisturize the skin.

However, everything does not happen at the first treatment, we must in fact arm ourselves with determination, perseverance and patience to take advantage of all the benefits of these products. So let’s go and see how the alicolic acid-based creams are used in the next paragraph.

How to use glycolic acid creams?

The use of glycolic acid-based creams is very similar to the use of any other type of face cream and, as with other products, also in this case you must remember to apply the product on clean skin, after having washed with suitable detergents and carefully dried.

Starting from the fact that each product can have a different application method from that of others, in principle the general advice is to apply these creams once a day, with the help of the fingertips, so as to favor absorption of the active ingredients.

The period of time in which glycolic acid-based creams should be used can vary not only according to the product, but above all according to our situation.

Generally these creams should be used until the problem has been solved, or in any case until we have obtained the result we wanted.

Abusing glycolic acid -based creams will not help you achieve the result in a shorter amount of time, on the contrary, you could even make your skin thinner if you use excessive doses and, therefore, you would damage it. For this reason, remember to use them correctly.

Collistar peeling for perfect skin

The first product we will tell you about today was made by a famous brand in the cosmetics sector, namely  Collistar . We are talking about the Perfect Skin Peeling based on glycolic acid which, as the name implies, will allow you to have practically new skin in a short time.

To obtain the best results from the use of the acid obtained from sugar cane, the company’s research team has added other substances to this ingredient, such as:

• Alpha hydroxy-mandelic acid;
• The alpha hydroxy-gluconic acid.

Indeed, by creating the ideal balance between glycolic acid, these other two types of alpha hydroxy acids and the pH, Collistar offers us an excellent product, designed to be used every day.

It is a non-aggressive peeling that acts gradually on our skin, without irritating it and without excessively stressing it. This way, you’ll get the skin you’ve always wanted within a few weeks.

Among the main benefits that you can enjoy if you decide to buy this product, we especially mention those mentioned below:

• Dilated pores and other small skin imperfections are minimized;
• The skin is immediately smoother and more toned and, over time, this result will be consolidated by the constant application of the product;
• The skin grain will be finer but above all more uniform;
• The skin will be brighter;
• Purest complexion;
• Unsightly signs of aging such as skin spots and wrinkles are reduced.

Collistar peeling can be purchased in the best-stocked cosmetic shops, but also on the internet and in pharmacies, at the price of 37 euros, for a 30 mL vial.

Collagenil smoothing and moisturizing treatment

Collagenil , another famous brand in the cosmetics sector, has also made available to us an innovative skin treatment based on glycolic acid.

We are talking about Collagenil Antiaging Cosmetic Peeling 15% in which the percentage indicates the levels of glycolic acid which are found within this creamy emulsion and easy to apply on the skin of the face.

As happens in other products that contain glycolic acid, also in this case we are dealing with a cream capable of exfoliating the skin, removing all the dead cells found on the surface, attenuating the hateful signs of aging.

Among other things, the cream proposed by Collagenil is also presented as an excellent basis for preparing for any peeling sessions by specialists, such as those that can be done in beauty or dermatological centres.

This product is also suitable for those who have problems with allergic reactions . In fact, it is free from added fragrances and other possible allergens, however, in the case of particularly sensitive individuals, it is always advisable to carefully read the complete list of ingredients.

The price of the Collagenil treatment is very similar to that of Collistar but, as with all other cosmetics, we can also find it in promotion in our trusted pharmacy.

Caudalie’s glycolic acid-based treatment

The last product that we will tell you about today is less expensive than the others, but equally effective and of high quality. We are talking about the glycolic acid treatment from Caudalie , another company that has made a name for itself in the cosmetics sector.

This product is different from the others, it is in fact a mask that allows you to make your skin brighter in just ten minutes. Precisely for this reason it is a particularly suitable treatment for those with a rather dull complexion.

The peculiar feature of the Caudalie face mask based on glycolic acid is that it is able to perform two functions at the same time, namely:

• The peeling that renews the skin;
• He scrub.

Like the previous product, this one is also suitable for those with particularly sensitive skin, as well as dull, as it is 85% made with ingredients of natural origin and we can buy it at a price that is around 20 euros.

Do glycolic acid products really work?

We now come to the question that sooner or later everyone asks themselves when it comes to products of this type: does it really work or not? Industry studies have shown that glycolic acid  is perfect for stimulating the natural cell renewal process.

However, this is only possible if it is used correctly and, above all, without abusing it, otherwise there is the risk of experiencing side effects which we will discuss later.

One of the main advantages associated with glycolic acid-based creams  is their ability to hydrate the skin, as well as providing all the related benefits we mentioned earlier.

In any case, you need to use these products for a couple of weeks to notice the first substantial improvements even if, in some cases, these begin to manifest themselves from the first application.

Are there any contraindications or risks associated with the use of glycolic acid-based creams?

As with any other type of cosmetic product, even in this case we must pay attention, especially to our skin type, before buying our glycolic acid-based cream.

As for the contraindications , these creams are not recommended for the most sensitive skins as they could cause side effects such as the following:

• Skin irritation;
• Skin burning;
• skin redness;
• A temporary tingling.

Furthermore, glycolic acid is strongly photosensitizing , or rather, using these products the skin will be more sensitive to sunlight and, precisely for this reason, it is advisable to use moisturizing creams with a high sun protection factor.