Benefits Of Glycolic acid

Benefits Of Glycolic Acid

Glycolic acid belongs to the alpha-hydroxy group of acids, which are quite commonly known as fruit acids. Glycolic acid is primarily derived from sugar cane and thus can be considered as a natural product. Other acids belonging to the above category include citric acid found in oranges and other citrus fruits. Although glycolic acid has numerous industrial uses, it is commonly known for its positive effects on the skin. Industrially glycolic acid is used for removing rust and used in degreasing. Cosmetically, Glycolic acid is used as a natural moisturizer and skin exfoliant. Apart from this, there are many benefits of using glycolic acid on the skin. Some of these benefits include:

Makes the skin youthful.
Collagen and elastin are two substances found within the human skin. Elastin provides expandability to the skin and makes it capable of changing shape without breaking. Collagen provides firmness and volume to the skin making it appear smooth and tout during your youth. After the age of thirty, the production of collagen within the skin is reduced allowing the skin to sag. External use of glycolic acids stimulates the production of collagen making it look young and firm.

Removes acne scars.
Occurrence of acne on the skin causes the appearance of scars, which can be removed by continuous application of glycolic acid on the skin.

Makes the skin smooth.
Glycosaminoglycans are ground substances that are responsible for binding moisture within the skin. Use of glycolic acids restores the skin with these substances making it look smoother and plumper.

Cleans the skin.
Dead cells are a part of everybody’s skin, which if not removed fills the spaces within the skin pores. External application of glycolic acid removes these dead cells and cleans the skin, giving it a fresh, healthy look.

Exfoliates old pigment.
The top layer of the human skin tones itself by sloughing old brown pigment. The color of a person’s skin is genetic and cannot be changed much. However use of glycolic acid helps in exfoliating the old dark pigment making it look fresh and good.

Restores moisture of the skin.
Surface cells of the skin often break or splinter, giving the skin a rough and dry feeling. As a result it appears dull and lifeless. Glycolic acid restores water in the skin cells making it look firm and soft.

Acts as an antioxidant.
Due to external factors like pollution and internal factors like metabolic reactions several free radicals are produced in the body, which harm the skin and cause ageing. Glycolic acid acts as an antioxidant that removes the free radicals before they can harm the external appearance of the skin.

With the intake of healthy food and regular application of creams and gels containing glycolic acid, you can make your skin appear young and fresh for a longer duration of time.