Let's Talk About Glycolic Acid

Today I thought I'd try something different post-wise. Instead of talking about the latest beauty products I want to talk about one of my favourite skincare ingredients. An ingredient that is found in a lot of skincare products nowadays yet is something that is still isn't well known, especially on the high street. I'm talking about Glycolic Acid. It's one of my favourite skincare ingredients and today I thought I'd share with you what Glycolic Acid is if you've never used it before, my top products and tips.

Glycolic Acid is a Alpha-Hydroxy Acid known as a AHA. A AHA is used to exfoliate the skin and remove any dead skin cells. It loosens the bonds that holds your dead skin cells onto your skin and once they're removed you're left with healthier rejuvenated skin. It is one of the most commonly found AHA's in skincare products and can be found in different strengths. Most products on the market have a 5% concentration in them but you can find high strengths such as 10% and even 12%. If you're looking for a good glycolic product here are my Top 5.

 1. The Nip And Fab Glycolic Extreme Fix Night Pads. These pads have 5% Glycolic Acid in them as well as Salicylic Acid and Lactic Acid. These are to be used a treatment two to three times a week to exfoliate the skin. For people with sensitive skin I advise using these only once or twice a week depending on your sensitivity as they do make your skin tingle. And by tingle I mean you can feel them working. The day after you use these your skin is going to look and feel better. If you have any texture on your face it will feel diminished after one use and with continued use it will look and feel better each time. A slightly pricer product on the market but when you see how good the results are you definitely won't mind.

2. The Nip And Fab Glycolic Fix Pads. These are a lot tamer than the Extreme Fix Pads. Containing only 2% Glycolic Acid as well as Hyaluronic Acid and Blue Daisy, these pads are designed to gently exfoliate as well as plump up  and add moisture to the skin. They don't make the skin tingle with use so are they're more suited to sensitive skin. Using them every now and again won't make a difference to skin but using them twice a week will definitely make a difference to your skin. Using them alongside the Extreme Fix Pads though will make a significant difference to your skin. Texture will feel diminished, skin will look and feel softer and your complexion will look healthier and radiant. Not as expensive as the Extreme Fix Pads, these still can be pricey but if you're intimidated by a higher concentration of Glycolic Acid these would definitely be right up your street.

 3. The Clearly Youthful Glycolic Peel Off Mask. This mask is a clear liquid mask that you apply all over the face or in designated places to help exfoliate and rejuvinate the skin. It doesn't tell you how much Glycolic Acid is in it but from the results of this mask I believe it is somewhere near the 5% mark. This also contains Lactic Acid which is a common ingredient in most Glycolic Acid products. The peel off aspect makes this a lot easier to use as you don't have to worry about washing it off and it usually comes off in one piece.
4. Naturally Radiant Glycolic Overnight Peel. This isn't actually a peel. A peel is something you physhically peel off your face. This you wash off your face the next morning once it's sunk in. This is a overnight glycolic treatment which you apply the night before after you've applied your normal skincare routine and let it sink in as you sleep. Then the next morning you wash it off like you would a face wash or face mask. This is another product that doesn't give an exact amount of glycolic acid in it but from results from giving it a go, I'd have to say it is a pretty low amount. It does make skin feel softer and looks smoother but it's results are not as fantastic as some of the other products mentioned before.

5. Pixi Glow Tonic. This is a 5% Glycolic Toner. It's designed to be used after you've cleansed but before you've put your serum and moisturiser on. This contains Aloe Vera and Ginseng as well to help soothe and rejuvinate the skin at the same time. The glycolic acid in this whilst being the same concentration as the Extreme Fix Pads isn't as strong on the skin as they are. You still feel like you've used something on your skin but it doesn't make your skin tingle as much as the pads do. A small amount of this on a cotton pad is enough to do the whole face. After the rest of your skincare routine is done, you'll feel the effects of this toner. Skin feels smoother and softer and the products you use afterwards apply nicely to skin. If you're having trouble applying make up then this may help smooth skin and create a flawless base. There will be a full review of this on the blog soon but I like to use skincare products for a month before I write up a full review of it.

And now I've shown you my Top 5 Glycolic Acid products, I'd thought I'd share my top tips for using these products.

1. Most products that contain Glycolic Acid also contain Lactic Acid. Lactic Acid is the second most common AHA and is suitable for people with sensitvie skin. This is what makes most products that contain glycolic acid suitable for people with more sensitive skin even if you have to use it less often than people with normal skin.
2. If you use products containing both glycolic and lactic acid then it's important to use a sunscreen. It's important to use one anyway but the use of lactic acid makes skin more sensitive to the sun. So it's important to add a sunscreen to your routine if you don't use one already.
3. Don't overuse these products. Especially if you have sensitive skin. Overuse of these products will probably do more harm to your skin than good. If you find yourself overusing these products just put them somewhere where you won't automatically reach for them and focus on putting anything missing like moisture back into your skin.
4. Just because it says do so many times a week doesn't mean you have to follow the insturctions religiously. If you have very sensitive skin and it says use twice a week but that's too much for your skin then only use it once a week. It's your skin, do what your skin needs.
5. Look around. Sure the higher end skincare products are going to give your skin what it needs but you can find some gems out on the high street as well. The Clearly Youthful Peel Off Mask is under a fiver but the results are phenominal. It's definitely worth a look around to see what's on the market.

So that's it for my chat on Glycolic Acid. Did any of you find this useful? Have any of you got any product recommendations for me? Let me know in the comments.