Glycolic Acid Skincare 101 

You may already be familiar with Glycolic Acid. As the Alpha-Hydroxy Acid with the smallest molecular structure (think enhanced penetration) it has earned itself the “King of chemical exfoliants” crown and is widely used in the skincare industry, in a variety of formats and in varying percentages.  

Here at Alpha-H we have been celebrating this hero Accelerating Acid for over 25 years. Going one step further we choose to utilise this scientifically validated, skin changing ingredient at a uniquely low pH to maximise its effectiveness, incorporating it into a range of products that work to create visible differences in the skin and encourage long term resilience.  

So how does it work?  

Glycolic Acid works to exfoliate the skin effectively and evenly by breaking down the bonds that hold dead cells together on the skin’s surface, also known as the Epidermis. This process encourages new cells to be produced in the lower layers of the skin and push their way up to the surface, plumping and firming, smoothing out fine lines, and creating a more radiant complexion.  

Encouraging these dead skin cells to fall away also helps to prevent an accumulation of dead cell build up that can potentially cause many unfavourable skin conditions such as clogged pores, dry flaking skin, uneven skin tone and premature ageing. 

On top of all that, Glycolic Acid is also a humectant with the ability to attract and bind moisture, encouraging the skin to ramp up its own production of natural moisturising factors like Hyaluronic Acid. 

What does it do for my skin? 

The benefits of incorporating Glycolic Acid into your regime are both long term and immediate. Generally, the first thing you will notice is that your skin feels smoother and appears clearer with more even tone. As Glycolic Acid acts as an exfoliant, it smooths away uneven surface texture and assists in removing old, pigmented cells from the skin’s surface making the way for clear, plump cells to replace them. 

As time passes you should then start to see a reduction in the formation of breakouts and blemishes as well as an overall more hydrated complexion which helps to minimise the appearance of fine lines and imperfections. Many people comment that their skin glows and appears more radiant the next day after using our cult favourite Liquid Gold! 

What products can I find it in?  

At Alpha-H we offer a complete range of Accelerating Acids perfected by combining the optimal acid concentration with a low pH for maximum bioavailability, optimised delivery systems, and efficacy.  

Shop our exfoliating acids here, including cult favourite Liquid Gold, industry first Midnight Reboot Serum, age-defying night mask Beauty Sleep Power Peel, and dual-action Micro Super Scrub. 

Which product is right for me? 

When starting out with Glycolic Acid it’s always a good idea to start slowly. Introduce one product at a time choosing the type, format and percentage that best suits your skin concerns and lifestyle.  

Liquid Gold is a great place to start for most skin types as it can be gently introduced a few evenings a week into an existing regime. The only things we insist on are cleansing first with a pH balanced cleanser – our pick is Balancing Cleanser - and advocating for your skin the next day with a broad-spectrum UVA/UVB SPF50+, to protect all the amazing benefits your skin will see from introducing Glycolic Acid. Shop our SPF protectors here.