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Glycolic acid has the smallest sized molecules of all the alpha-hydroxy acids. Because of these super tiny molecules, glycolic acid can easily penetrate the skin. This allows glycolic acid to exfoliates the skin more effectively than other AHAs.
Glycolic acid works by speeding up cell turnover. It helps dissolve the bonds that hold skin cells together, allowing dead skin cells to slough off more rapidly than they would on their own.
Glycolic acid also stimulates your skin to create more collagen. Collagen is the protein that gives skin its firmness, plumpness, and elasticity. (Collagen is also the protein that gives strength to your bones and connective tissues.) As you age, collagen production naturally slows down. It's also destroyed by excessive sun exposure. Using glycolic acid regularly can help prevent this breakdown of collagen.
Glycolic acid is an incredibly popular treatment because of the many benefits it has for the skin. It has effective skin-renewing properties, so it is often used in anti-aging products. It can help smooth fine wrinkles and improve the skin's tone and texture. Glycolic acid plumps the skin and helps boost hydration levels.
It's not just an anti-aging treatment, though. Glycolic acid can also help fight sun damage. It's often used to fade minor fade hyperpigmentation too.
Because it's an effective exfoliator, using glycolic acid regularly can help brighten the complexion. It's this exfoliating property that also makes it an effective preventative against ingrown hairs. If you have large pores, glycolic acid can help make those appear smaller as well.
Many acne treatment products also contain glycolic acid. Glycolic acid can help keep pores clear from blockages, preventing comedones, blackheads, and inflamed breakouts from forming
This unfortunate name comes from the craft tissue called crepe paper, which is thin and wrinkled. Crepey skin, therefore, refers to skin that is thin and wrinkled in appearance. Crepey skin typically appears as we age and our skin loses its ability to hold moisture to stay plump and firm. We also lose our ability to produce as much collagen as we age, which also contributes to thinner, less pliable skin. The likelihood of your skin becoming crepey as you age is determined, in part, by genetics as well. Smart skincare routines and lifestyle changes can help prevent areas of thin skin from becoming crepey in appearance.
To prevent crepey skin caused by sun damage, it’s best to moisturize daily and wear sunscreen. Additionally, antioxidants protect the skin from free radicals that damage cells and speed up aging. Ingredients and nutrients like rosehip oil, jojoba oil, peptides, red tea extract, retinol/vitamin A, coenzyme Q10, alpha-hydroxy acide and salicylic acid are all beneficial for preventing and reducing wrinkles. Collagen, ingredients that boost the production of collagen like vitamin C, and moisture barriers are all useful in plumping the skin and making skin firmer and tighter.
glycolic acid may be effective for crepey skin, but there are many other factors that may affect whether this ingredient would work on your skin or if there are better ingredients that may work for you. Take this skin quiz to find the best ingredients for your skin and build your skincare routine.
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