Glycolic acid: an exfoliating acid that needs patience

Glycolic acid is an AHA acid used in exfoliating skin care. Many people choose it when the skin feels rough, dull, or uneven and they want a smoother-looking surface. In this category, the main point is not speed. It is giving the skin time to adapt without unnecessary irritation.

Start slowly and use it only every now and then at first. One product at a time is usually the easiest way to tell whether glycolic acid fits your skin. If several strong actives are already in the routine, the risk of irritation rises quickly.

Glycolic acid is usually best used in the evening, and what matters most is how the skin feels the next day. If the skin stings, turns red, or starts to flake clearly, a pause is usually wiser than increasing the use.

Because exfoliating acids can make skin more sensitive to sunlight, sunscreen is part of the routine whenever glycolic acid is used regularly.

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