Of all the ingredients used in men’s skincare products, there are few that we get more questions about than glycolic acid. It’s been in use for decades, but glycolic acid has only been a part of the collective skincare lexicon for a few years. While many men who take great care of their skin may already be aware of it, there are many others who are just hearing about it for the first time or simply want to learn more.
Naturally, we want to make sure that men of all ages are well-informed about the ingredients they apply to their skin and what these ingredients actually do. In this guide, we’re going to answer some of the most common questions we get about glycolic acid. For example, what is it? How does it work? What does it actually do for the skin? Is it ok to use glycolic acid on your face every day? What are the different ways to apply glycolic acid? Finally, where can you access high-quality glycolic acid products designed specifically for men?
Keep reading to find out the answers to all these questions and much more!
What Is Glycolic Acid?
Glycolic acid is a type of alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that is specifically used for its exfoliating properties. Derived from sugarcane, it’s one of the smallest molecules in the AHA family, which allows it to penetrate the skin more effectively. Though glycolic acid shares the AHA classification with other acids like lactic, citric, and malic acids, it stands out due to its unique molecular structure and benefits.
What Does Glycolic Acid Do To Skin?
The primary function of glycolic acid is to break down and remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, revealing fresher, smoother skin beneath. This exfoliation process can help treat acne, fine lines, dark spots, and even acne scars. Plus, glycolic acid can be used to address signs of sun damage. However, it’s important to consider that, while glycolic acid is popular for treating a variety of skin concerns and maintaining a healthy, glowing appearance, it’s not a cure-all for everything. For example, glycolic evidence is not proven to be effective in eliminating or reducing moderate to severe stretch marks.
Glycolic acid offers many benefits for men’s skin, particularly in acne treatment, signs of aging, and uneven skin tones. For men dealing with mild to moderate acne, glycolic acid can help reduce breakouts by exfoliating the skin and preventing clogged pores. It also assists in minimizing acne scars, especially when used alongside treatments like microneedling.
As men age, glycolic acid can be beneficial in reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, healing skin damaged by the sun, and generally promoting a more youthful complexion. For those who have uneven skin tones, including light or dark patches, as well as conditions like melasma, glycolic acid may help lighten certain types of pigmentation to a more natural state that evens out the tone of the skin.
Is It Good To Use Glycolic Acid Every Day?
How often you should use glycolic acid will depend on your skin type and the concentration of the product. Typically, a low concentration of glycolic acid is anything below 5%. Products with 5% glycolic acid or lower are usually safe and effective to use every day. However, high concentrations (often 10% and above) may be better to use once or twice per week, depending on the sensitivity of your skin.
As with any skincare product, there’s a certain degree of trial and error involved to find the perfect frequency for you. It’s better to start with a lower concentration and, if necessary, increase the frequency or change to a product with a higher concentration of glycolic acid. You should also think about your lifestyle and potential issues that could deter daily glycolic acid use. For example, if you are frequently exposed to the sun for long periods of time, you may not want to use glycolic acid products every single day, as they could make your skin overly sensitive to sunlight. Fortunately, this kind of issue can often be remedied by applying the product in the evening or combining it with an SPF day cream.
Different Ways to Apply Glycolic Acid to the Skin
While glycolic acid is always a natural acid that can exfoliate the skin, it can be used in different ways and applied in different kinds of skincare products. Here are some of the most common product types that use glycolic acid:
- Glycolic Acid Cleanser - Cleansers that include glycolic acid offer a way to gently cleanse your face and exfoliate the skin at the same time, which can help save you time during your daily skincare routine. It’s also an excellent way to treat acne and reduce breakouts. You can learn more about the benefits and unique qualities of these products in our glycolic acid cleanser guide.
- Anti-Aging Serum - Anti-aging serums are designed to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles that naturally appear or worsen as you age. Glycolic acid is a key ingredient used in many anti-wrinkle and anti-aging serums. Check out our guides on glycolic acid serums for anti-aging and how to get rid of forehead wrinkles to learn more.
- Exfoliating Wipes - Face wipes are an easy way to cleanse the skin, gently exfoliate, and prepare it for other products like moisturizers, serums, or other treatments. See if these triple-threat wipes could be a good addition to your skincare regimen in our guide to glycolic acid exfoliating face wipes.
- Ingrown Hair Treatments - Due to its natural exfoliating properties, glycolic acid is a perfect ingredient for treating ingrown hairs. By stripping away the top layer of dead skin cells, glycolic acid can help free hairs that have become ingrown beneath the surface of the skin. You can learn more about how this process works in our guide to glycolic acid and salicylic acid for ingrown hair.
Find the Best Glycolic Acid Products From Anthony
Are you struggling with acne (or acne scars) that haven’t responded to generic skincare products? Do you want to reduce signs of aging? Or perhaps you want an easy way to exfoliate and even treat ingrown hairs? Regardless of your specific needs, Anthony has a solution for you. Here are some of our most popular glycolic acid products to consider:
- Glycolic Acid Facial Cleanser - Anthony’s Glycolic Acid Facial Cleanser features 4.2% concentration, which is strong enough to provide a thorough exfoliation, but gentle enough so that most men can use it daily. It also helps boost collagen production, resulting in a plump, young appearance.
- Glycolic Exfoliating and Resurfacing Wipes - Anthony’s Glycolic Exfoliating and Resurfacing Wipes offer a simple and easy way to keep skin clean and smooth. One side is textured for enhanced exfoliation, while the other is soft to help reduce hyperpigmentation and improve complexion.
- High Performance Anti-Wrinkle Glycolic Peptide Serum - This serum is specifically designed to target wrinkles and lift and brighten otherwise dull-looking skin.
- Ingrown Hair Treatment - Our proprietary Ingrown Hair Treatment is proven to prevent and treat ingrown hairs in as little as one week while simultaneously reducing redness and bumps.
Want to learn even more about glycolic acid? If so, be sure to check out the great products and solutions available at Anthony today!
