The benefits of Glycolic Acid for your skin earn our pads a place in your routine. This ingredient clears what your cleanser leaves behind to help create a smoother texture and brighter tone. It can even help other products absorb better by removing the dead skin cells that build up daily.
Learn all about the benefits of 10% Glycolic Acid + Aloe Vera Resurfacing Pads below, including how our formula here at Naturopathica is different from others on the market.
Key Takeaways
- Glycolic Acid is the smallest alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) so it can penetrate deeper than other acids at the same concentration.
- Board-certified dermatologists recommend Glycolic Acid for texture, tone, fine lines, and acne.
- Pads are a more convenient and consistent way to tap into the benefits of Glycolic Acid for skin than liquid-based products.
- Just use one pad a week and gradually build up frequency as your skin adapts.
- Naturopathica’s Glycolic Acid pads include Aloe Vera, so you get soothing benefits as well.
Overview of Glycolic Acid
This AHA comes from sugar cane and has earned a place in skincare due to its size. It’s the smallest molecule in its family, so it can work deeper through the outermost skin layer than Lactic Acid, Mandelic Acid, or Citric Acid.
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Connie Yang, MD, FAAD says she recommends it to her clients because it breaks down the bonds between dead skin cells to speed up skin cell turnover, revealing fresher, smoother skin.1 Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of Glycolic Acid for skin below.
What Are the Benefits of Glycolic Acid For Skin?
There are five main reasons you may want to include Glycolic Acid in your ritual:
- Smoother texture: A study published in Dermatologic Surgery showed that Glycolic Acid could help with rough texture and fine wrinkles if used weekly.2
- Brightening effects: Some dermatologists say this AHA is one of the best ways to help with pigmentation from acne scars, the sun, or genetics. It lifts dead, pigmented cells from the surface and paves the way for new, balanced skin to pop through.3
- Encouraging collagen production: Research in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found that Glycolic Acid could help stimulate collagen production without prompting a harmful inflammatory response. That matters if you’re worried about irritation from chemical exfoliation.4
- Clearing pores: Glycolic Acid may help fight acne by preventing dead skin cells and oil from building up within pores, a combination that can lead to breakouts.3
- Improving skincare product absorption: It leaves behind a blank slate so other products can absorb effortlessly and get to the layers of skin where they’re needed most.
The benefits of Glycolic Acid for skin are great on their own. However, it’s the Glycolic Acid pads benefits specifically that we’re passionate about. This is the best way to bring this AHA into your skincare routine. You get far more consistent application using the pads on the skin than with liquid-based formulas. You can not only use the pads on your face, but also for exfoliating the skin on your body creating a convenient and simple, gentle exfoliating step for freshly cleansed skin.
We have our own clinical data supporting the Glycolic Acid Pads, too.
- 100% of participants in our study saw a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- 83% noted an improvement in skin radiance.
Considerations With Glycolic Acid Pads
You should be careful using our 10% Glycolic Acid + Aloe Vera Resurfacing Pads for the first time, as the 10% concentration is intended for those who have used acids in the past.
It’s also imperative that you use sun protection when incorporating our pads into your routine as this AHA can increase photosensitivity. Neglecting SPF can undo a lot of the tone and texture benefits that Glycolic Acid has to offer. We recommend our Calendula Essential Hydrating Lotion SPF 30.
Watch out for layering interactions, too. We do not recommend using Glycolic Acid pads in the same application as Retinoids, Vitamin C, or other exfoliating acids. You should practice proper skin cycling with any strong actives, and Glycolic Acid is no exception.
It’s normal to feel some tingling - but stinging or burning is a different story. You should rinse immediately if you notice pain after applying the pads.
Looking for a gentler introduction to chemical exfoliation? Consider one of our enzyme peels, such as the Sweet Cherry Brightening Enzyme Peel or Pear & Fig Polishing Enzyme Peel. In the meantime, we want to walk you through harnessing the Glycolic Acid pads benefits below.
How to Bring the Glycolic Acid Pads Benefits into Your Ritual
Naturopathica is where ancient botanical wisdom and modern skincare science intersect. We bring over three decades of formulation experience to every product we make, and our Glycolic Acid pads are among our best-sellers.
They combine Glycolic Acid with Aloe Vera, Bilberry Extract, and Sugar Cane. This brings you the best of both worlds - tone and texture benefits with a soothing finish that leaves your skin feeling calm and supple.
Cleanse first, then sweep a single pad across your face. Avoid the eye area. For use on your body, use a single pad per area (arms, legs, etc.). Let your skin fully dry, then follow up with a good moisturizer. We recommend our Calendula Essential Hydrating Lotion - it has SPF 30 built in to protect you from the acid’s photosensitivity concerns.
You only need to use our Glycolic Acid pads once a week at first. You can slowly build to 2-3 sessions per week as your skin develops a tolerance. Learn more about how to use Glycolic Acid pads in our blog before your first application for the full protocol.
Frequently asked questions
What do glycolic acid pads do?
They dissolve the bonds that hold dead skin cells to the surface of your skin. Glycolic Acid is a chemical exfoliant that can help bring out a smoother texture and brighter tone. There are quite a few other benefits of Glycolic Acid for skin, too.
How long does it take for glycolic acid pads to work?
You should see improvements in texture and brightness within 4-6 weeks of consistent use. You’ll need to be more patient for deeper concerns such as hyperpigmentation, which could take up to 12 weeks before any changes are seen. Consistency is key.
Can I use glycolic acid pads daily?
Not ours. They’re a 10% concentration which is too strong for daily use. Most of our customers only use them once a week at first, and eventually, 2-3 times a week.
Should you moisturize after using glycolic acid pads?
Yes. Even though ours have Aloe Vera in the formula, it’s worth pairing with a moisturizer to restore what was lost during exfoliation. You’ll find that the product absorbs better after using the pads, too.
Related Resources
What is Manuka Honey good for? | Is Retinol an exfoliant? | Calendula skin benefits
References
- Dr. Connie Yang, MD, FAAD. "Benefits of the All-Star Skincare Ingredient Glycolic Acid." Dermstore.
- Newman N, et al. "Clinical improvement of photoaged skin with 50% glycolic acid." Dermatologic Surgery. 1996;22(5):455-460.
- Dr. Alexis T. Curreri, MD, FAAD. "Glycolic Acid for Skin: Benefits and How to Use It." Skincare.com.
- Narda M, et al. "Glycolic acid adjusted to pH 4 stimulates collagen production and epidermal renewal." Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2021;20(2):513-521.
