In recent years, the beauty industry has seen a surge in the use of acids as part of skin regimes, now deemed ‘must have’ products for glowing and radiant skin. Navigating the different acid types can seem overwhelming, but don’t worry we’re going to break it down for you in a series of blogs so you’re clear on what will work best for you and your skin. Soon you’ll know your glycolic from your salicylic acids and you’ll wish you’d discovered hyaluronic acid sooner! Forget microbeads, chemical exfoliants are the way forward!
We’ll start with Glycolic acid, an industry favourite for good reason. Derived from sugar cane, it’s an AHA (Alpha Hydroxy acid) that penetrates the upper layers of the skin to break down the sebaceous glue which binds your dull dead skin cells to the skin’s surface. It therefore gently resurfaces the skin without the need for abrasive scrubbing, revealing the new fresh looking skin below and leaving you with a luminous glow.
Not only is it great for brightening your complexion, it’s also excellent at combating blemishes and balancing out uneven skin tones. It’s resurfacing and drying abilities mean spots struggle to survive, reducing the appearance and frequency of breakouts, improving post-spot redness and it also minimises pores!
With daily use, it speeds up cell turnover, meaning it also tackles ageing. It really is the gift that keeps on giving! The removal of the dead skin on the surface kicks your cells in to regeneration mode at a faster rate meaning it produces higher levels of collagen and elastin, which alongside higher levels of water retention, plumps up the skin cells to reduce wrinkles for a more youthful appearance.
Glycolic acid tingles a little on application, a sign it’s doing its job, and you may see a little redness but this should only last a few minutes. As your skin gets used to it this won’t happen as much, but to be on the safe side it’s always a good idea to do a patch test especially if you have sensitive skin. Remember that mild tingling is deliberate, so don’t leap straight to thinking you’re allergic! Try The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution, a popular industry favourite, with their mantra of products that work without the premium price tag.
As you’re exposing your fresh new skin, it’s important you protect your skin from UV rays with a high SPF to make sure your new skin isn’t damaged. Emma Hardie Protect and Prime (SPF30) is a non-greasy hydrating moisturiser that prevents sun damage and acts as a silky base to makeup.
So there you have it, a breakdown of glycolic acid and its benefits for your skin. We hope you feel a little less intimidated by the use of acids in your beauty regime, stay tuned to find out more about the benefits of others like salicylic and hyaluronic acid. You’ll soon be a skincare pro rocking that filter like glow!
