Can You Use Glycolic Acid Every Day?
If you spend any time in the beauty and skincare corners of the internet.
You know that glycolic acid is touted as a miracle skincare ingredient that can smooth and brighten your face.
Despite so many people loving glycolic acid, you’ve probably also seen some horror stories about it causing breakouts, irritation, and burning.
You might be wondering if glycolic acid is even safe to use and why some people swear by it while others have severe reactions to it.
The reality is that glycolic acid is a powerful ingredient that must be used with care.
There are different concentrations of glycolic acid available for purchase, and most people must find the right one for their skin through trial and error.
Many people experience success using glycolic acid once or twice a week, while others find it more effective to use it more frequently.
So, can you use glycolic acid every day?
It depends on the concentration of glycolic acid and whether your skin is accustomed to it. Many people successfully use glycolic acid every day without any issues, but they probably didn’t get used to it overnight.
In this post, we will discuss the best ways to ease your way into using glycolic acid every day, especially if you’re new to this ingredient.
We will discuss the ideal schedule for each concentration type and how to find the perfect glycolic acid product that’ll provide your skin with all the benefits without irritation.
What Is Glycolic Acid?
Glycolic acid is a substance found in natural plants (and now often synthesised in a lab) that has become a popular ingredient in skincare due to its exfoliating properties.
Glycolic acid can be added to other skincare products, such as creams and face washes, or it can be used on its own as a topical toner.
When used correctly, glycolic acid can provide your skin with the following benefits:
- Plumping and hydrating the skin
- Removing dead skin cells
- Making your skin smoother
- Getting rid of dark spots and acne scarring
- Reducing acne and blackheads
- Increasing collagen in the skin results in a reduction in fine lines and other signs of ageing.
Glycolic acid acts as a chemical exfoliator by dissolving the bonds between dead skin cells and increasing the skin turnover rate.
When used in moderation, it can make your skin look soft and refreshed, and in some cases, even reverse the signs of ageing.
Using it excessively can lead to issues such as dry skin, flaking, redness, itching, and breakouts.
This is why many people have a love-it-or-hate-it relationship with this skincare ingredient.
For an in-depth explanation of glycolic acid and the benefits it holds for your skin, take a look at this video from Glamrs.
How To Start Using Glycolic Acid
If you’re new to glycolic acid (or other alpha hydroxy acids), it’s best to start slow.
Glycolic acid can be harsh on the skin, especially if your skin isn’t used to it.
To reap the benefits without the risks, anyone new to this ingredient should start by using it once a week for a few weeks before gradually increasing to 1-3 times a week.
Three times a week is usually a good frequency for most people to use long-term, but if you’re not seeing the results you want—and your skin seems to tolerate it well—you can gradually increase the frequency to daily use.
You should also consider the concentration of your glycolic acid product to determine how often it is safe to use.
Glycolic acid comes in a variety of concentrations — the higher the percentage, the stronger the product.
As a newbie, start with a lower concentration and gradually build your tolerance.
Under 8% Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acids that have a concentration of under 8% are usually the safest to start with.
These glycolic acids won’t give you any irritation.
You can safely begin using them once a week and gradually increase to three times per week.
Once you’ve been on the 3x weekly schedule for a few weeks, you can decide if this concentration is working for you.
The downside of such a low concentration is that it may not be strong enough, especially if you have numerous dark spots or acne scars you are trying to eliminate.
If that sounds like you, you can try gradually increasing your glycolic acid use to 5-7 times a week and see if that helps.
If that doesn’t help, consider getting a product with a stronger concentration.
8% – 10% Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acid in concentrations of 8% to 10% appears to be the ideal formula for individuals who have already developed a tolerance and are seeking stronger results.
This concentration is often more than enough to target some of the significant concerns: hyperpigmentation, fine lines, acne scars, and general dullness.
However, we don’t recommend starting with this concentration right away.
If your skin isn’t accustomed to chemical exfoliants, it can be too harsh and cause irritation.
If you’ve already built up a tolerance of lower-concentration glycolic acid, you can switch to a more potent dose. Remember to start slow again.
If you were using 3% glycolic acid every day, you should switch to a once-a-week schedule when you transition to 10% glycolic acid and gradually increase the frequency.
Eventually, you may be able to use 8% – 10% glycolic acid daily.
This depends on your skin.
Some people’s skin loves it, some people’s skin doesn’t.
Not everyone’s skin needs daily glycolic acid use.
You will need to experiment with it and go through some trial and error to determine what works best for you.
As long as you start slowly and keep a close eye on your skin throughout the process, you’ll figure it out!
10% – 20% Glycolic Acid
Anything above a 10% concentration of glycolic acid is usually referred to as a “peel” and is intended to be washed off after a few minutes, similar to a mask.
This is because anything above 10% is considered a high concentration and can be damaging to the skin if left in place for an extended period.
Glycolic acid concentrations of up to 20% are suitable for use once or twice a week, at most.
The product should be left on for 5 minutes and then washed off.
Using glycolic acid in this fashion can help exfoliate and reveal fresh, glowy, dewy skin.
It works exceptionally well before significant events or whenever you need an instant boost of confidence.
Never use these concentrations daily.
If you use this type of glycolic acid several times a week, ensure you’re not doing it on consecutive days.
Over 20% Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acid products with concentrations over 20% are often used in professional settings, although you can buy them online and from beauty distributors and try to use them at home.
It’s important to remember that anything above 20% is not to be left on the face for longer than 1-3 minutes at a time.
These substantial concentrations of glycolic acid are prone to causing irritation and skin burning, so you must be very careful with them.
They are definitely not to be used every day!
Can Glycolic Acid Damage Your Skin?
Overusing glycolic acid or using a concentration that’s too high for you can cause damage.
Over-exfoliation leads to skin vulnerabilities. You may experience:
- Redness
- Dryness and flakiness
- Burning and pain
- Sensitivity to UV rays and easily getting sunburns
In fact, even regular use of glycolic acid (and other AHAs) can cause your skin to be photosensitive and easily burn in the sun.
Always wear sunscreen, especially if you use glycolic acid.
The remaining side effects are caused by using glycolic acid too frequently or in excessive concentrations.
This is why it’s essential to start slowly and gradually build up to safe levels of the product.
The Purging Period
Many people experience an increase in breakouts within one to two weeks of starting their new glycolic acid regimen.
This can make people feel apprehensive about using glycolic acid.
Thankfully, in most cases, the breakouts are caused by a so-called “purge period”, which is when the skin is getting used to shedding old skin cells all at once.
This can clog your pores and cause breakouts.
After the initial purge phase, however, your skin will no longer have excess dead skin cells, so things should clear up within a few weeks.
Final Thoughts
Glycolic acid is a powerful ingredient that can transform your skin.
But with great power comes great responsibility.
Using glycolic acid responsibly can protect you from skin irritation and unwanted damage.
Remember to start with the lowest concentrations and gradually increase them if you feel that this is necessary for optimal results.
Using glycolic acid every day is perfectly safe, as long as you’ve given your skin time to adjust to the product.
