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Glycolic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid that exfoliates the skin. You'll find it in varying concentrations in commercial skincare products, including daily cleansers and toners. People swear by this naturally occurring acid to do everything from clear up acne to reduce fine lines and wrinkles associated with aging and sun damage. It can even help fade your acne scars! [1] But is this ingredient actually safe to use every day? Here, we've gathered answers to some of your most common questions about including glycolic acid in your skincare routine.

Question 1 of 12:

Can I use glycolic acid as part of my daily skincare routine?

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  1. Commercial skincare products sold to the public can't have a concentration of more than 10% glycolic acid. Products that are designed to be a regular part of your skincare routine, such as cleansers and toners, generally have even lower concentrations of 5% or less. [2]
    • Expect your skin to tingle a little after you use glycolic acid. If it looks or feels like a sunburn, though, lay off the glycolic acid for a few days. When you go back to it, cut back to 2-3 days a week instead of every day and see if that helps.
    • To avoid irritating your skin, go with the lowest concentration you can find that will get you the results you want. This might take a little trial and error to find the right product for you.
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Question 2 of 12:

How can I make sure glycolic acid is safe for my skin?

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Question 3 of 12:

What skin conditions does glycolic acid treat?

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  1. Like other alpha hydroxy acids, glycolic acid exfoliates the skin to improve its overall appearance. [4] With regular use, it can reduce the appearance of fine lines and evidence of sun damage. Higher-concentration peels can also stabilize oily skin and improve your overall skin tone. [5]
    • Peels with higher concentrations of glycolic acid are also used to lighten skin tone or skin discolorations and fade or remove scars. [6]
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Question 4 of 12:

How should I use glycolic acid products?

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  1. You don't want to use glycolic acid during the day until you know for sure how your skin will react to it. Use it maybe 3 nights a week to start—just wash your face as normal and follow up with a moisturizer. If your skin handles it fine, you can bump up to daily use. [7]
    • If you decide to add a glycolic acid product to your morning routine, make sure you follow up with sunscreen. [8] Glycolic acid makes your skin extra sensitive and it's easy to get a sunburn, even if you're not outside for very long.
    • Masks, serums, and other treatment products typically have a higher concentration of glycolic acid than cleansers and toners do. Save these for once or twice a week at most. Read the instructions on the package carefully, because some of them have specific recommendations.
Question 5 of 12:

Is it safe to use both glycolic acid and retinol products?

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  1. It's a common misconception that you should never mix glycolic acid and retinol products. Because they're both exfoliants, they can actually complement each other if used in tandem. But the one-two punch of double-exfoliation might seriously irritate your skin. Using both at the same time also makes your skin even more sensitive to the sun's rays, so you can get sunburned pretty easily if you're not wearing sunscreen every time you go outside. [9]
    • Another thing to consider is the "skin purging" effect. Both retinol and glycolic acid products tend to cause breakouts when you first start using them as your skin releases impurities that were clogging your pores. [10] These breakouts can be more intense if you're combining the two products.
    • If your skin is already prone to irritation, it's probably a good idea to use these products separately rather than combining them. [11]
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Question 8 of 12:

Can I do a glycolic acid peel at home?

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  1. At least in the US, products sold directly to people to use at home can't have a concentration of more than 10% glycolic acid (or any other alpha hydroxy acid). [15] Dermatologists have products with up to 70% concentration, but these can only be applied in-office. [16]
    • You might find products marketed as "peels," but they're little more than peel-off face masks and won't contain a concentration of more than 10% glycolic acid. These products aren't a substitute for an in-office peel applied by a dermatologist, so don't expect similar results.
Question 10 of 12:

How long does it take glycolic acid to fade acne scars?

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Question 11 of 12:

What happens if you use too much glycolic acid?

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  1. This can also happen if you're using products with several different alpha hydroxy acids at once. Layering acids like that is way too much exfoliation for your skin. [19]
    • If you're using over-the-counter toners or cleansers with glycolic acid as an ingredient, you shouldn't have to worry about using too much. They have a really low concentration and don't stay on your skin for very long.
    • If you get a peel from a dermatologist, your favorite toner or cleanser might end up being too much. Wait for your skin to heal after the peel before you go back to glycolic acid products.
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  • Question
    What can I use to get rid of chronic beard ingrown hairs?
    Heather Richmond, MD
    Board Certified Dermatologist
    Dr. Heather Richmond, MD is a board certified Dermatologist at Dermatology and Laser Surgery Center in Houston, Texas. With over nine years of experience, Dr. Richmond specializes in comprehensive dermatology including medical, surgical, and cosmetic procedures. She graduated cum laude from Yale University with a BA in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. She earned her MD from the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, where she was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. She completed her Internal Medicine internship at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and her Dermatology residency at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Dr. Richmond is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and is a member of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, and the Texas and Houston Dermatological Societies.
    Board Certified Dermatologist
    Expert Answer
    Use a topical cream that contains some alpha hydroxy acids. They are chemical exfoliants that help to unclog the follicles.
  • Question
    Which sunscreens are more effective?
    Heather Richmond, MD
    Board Certified Dermatologist
    Dr. Heather Richmond, MD is a board certified Dermatologist at Dermatology and Laser Surgery Center in Houston, Texas. With over nine years of experience, Dr. Richmond specializes in comprehensive dermatology including medical, surgical, and cosmetic procedures. She graduated cum laude from Yale University with a BA in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. She earned her MD from the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, where she was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. She completed her Internal Medicine internship at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and her Dermatology residency at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Dr. Richmond is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and is a member of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, and the Texas and Houston Dermatological Societies.
    Board Certified Dermatologist
    Expert Answer
    Mineral sunscreens with active ingredients of titanium or zinc are more natural and effective.
  • Question
    Which cosmetic products can help to minimize wrinkles?
    Heather Richmond, MD
    Board Certified Dermatologist
    Dr. Heather Richmond, MD is a board certified Dermatologist at Dermatology and Laser Surgery Center in Houston, Texas. With over nine years of experience, Dr. Richmond specializes in comprehensive dermatology including medical, surgical, and cosmetic procedures. She graduated cum laude from Yale University with a BA in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. She earned her MD from the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, where she was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. She completed her Internal Medicine internship at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and her Dermatology residency at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Dr. Richmond is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and is a member of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, and the Texas and Houston Dermatological Societies.
    Board Certified Dermatologist
    Expert Answer
    Cosmetic products with peptides that help stimulate new collagen and elastin fibers help to minimize wrinkles.
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      Warnings

      • Glycolic acid can make your skin more sensitive to UV rays. If you're using glycolic acid, always wear sunscreen when you go outside, even on a cloudy day. [21]
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