Is Glycolic Acid In Skincare Safe?

Glycolic acid is one of the most commonly used ingredients these days in toners and exfoliators. It is used for its deep exfoliation and renewal powers, but the problem is that it can be quite harsh on our skin. At Nakin synthetic glycolic acid is actually banned in our products as it is quite harsh on our delicate skin. Instead, we use fruit AHAs to exfoliate as we find that these are so much more kinder to skin, and much more easily accepted. So, if you are looking for a facial exfoliator that is free from synthetic glycolic acid then try our Exfoliating Radiance Tonic.

In our blog we like to investigate some of the hot topics in beauty and skincare. A lot of our themes come from cosmetic trends, but also from discussions and chats with our customers, which we love. A question that comes up a lot is a request for Nakin to develop a face toner with glycolic acid in. We know that a lot of skincare brands have one in their range. So, following so many requests we have investigated it thoroughly, especially regarding seeing if glycolic acid is safe to use in skincare. At Nakin we only produce natural skincare using high performance plant actives, as these are fabulous for skin without any concerns. After researching using glycolic acid in skincare we decided that it is a not an ingredient that we can use. It’s not that it is highly toxic, but it can cause disruption and irritation to skin which is not something that we can support. Take a look at our reasons below. At Nakin we believe in using as many active plant ingredients as possible in our anti-ageing products, that help skin to flourish and thrive.

What Is Glycolic Acid?

Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid. It’s a water-soluble molecule, so is able to penetrate pores and clean skin. This is essentially a skin exfoliator, but without the use of beads, particles or hot cloths. It appears in skincare products at different concentrations - usually from 5% to 30% depending on the intensity of the treatment, and if it is used in a salon or is in a at home product. Treatments like peels from an aesthetic dermatologist or qualified beauty therapist will contain much higher percentages of glycolic acid than pharmacy products.

There seems to be a feeling that glycolic acid is a natural ingredient, as it is derived from sugar cane. However, it is mostly synthesised, and the end result is not a natural ingredient. The reason that glycolic acid is so powerful is because it can shed dead skin cells, but also break down the supporting areas of skin cells. However, the strength of this cleansing agent is what can cause problems for our skin. With this comes potential irritation and sensitivity that needs to be carefully considered.

The Dangers of Using Glycolic Acid in Skin Products

• It will potentially cause skin sensitivity, so instead use a natural face toner for sensitive skin.
• It can cause skin irritation, so if you do use it then consider using a very low percentage product and on alternate days.
• It can be very drying to skin so if using a glycolic acid product always follow it with a natural hydrating nourishing product like our anti-ageing face oil
• Glycolic acid is not recommended for people that have sensitive skin, or have issues such as rosacea and dermatitis.
• It is not a good idea to use glycolic acid in conjunction with other skin exfoliants and skin sensitivity ingredients like salicylic acid and retinol. This is because it will burden skin with too many irritating materials.
• Glycolic acid can make skin much more vulnerable to the sun and strong UV rays. So, take extra care to use a broad-spectrum high-quality sunscreen. Ensure to apply a lot of it and regularly to every area of exposed skin.

The Benefits of Using Glycolic Acid in Skincare

• Glycolic acid is deeply exfoliating to skin.
• It renews and brightens skin.
• It can help with skin discolouration and scarring.
• It can unclog pores and help reduce blackheads.
• It can help with acne, but also seek medical advice before use.
• It is more convenient than traditional skin exfoliators that require the use of beads of muslin cloths.

At the end of the day using glycolic acid on your skin is a personal choice. If your skin is oily and not sensitive, then you may feel that the benefits outweigh the potential concerns. Many feel glycolic acid is a wonder ingredient, although at Nakin we only recommend using natural kind active ingredients. We cannot recommend the use of ingredients that cause such sensitivity to skin. Instead, why not try our Exfoliating Radiance Tonic for a deep plant-based exfoliation. Or for a second cleanse tone use our Nakin Purifying Face Toner which uses ingredients like seaweed and hyaluronic acid to deeply cleanse and condition skin, but without any issues. They are made to be kind to even sensitive skin.

We wanted to say that at Nakin we are skin care experts, but we are not doctors, so always seek medical advice from a doctor. Even among dermatologists though there will be a difference of opinion on the products to use in your skin care regimen. Then there is the unique requirements that suit each of our specific skin types.  The more advice you get the better, as it gives you a more in-depth breadth of knowledge to make informed decisions from.

To find out more about Nakin and our award winning natural anti-ageing skincare then visit us at www.nakinskincare.com Our face care uses the best plant extracts available to enhance and improve skin naturally. All our products are made in the UK and cruelty free. We love to hear from customers, so please get in touch at any time to share your thoughts, or for skincare advice.