Skincare 101: Is Glycolic Acid Safe for Everyday Use?

Co-authored by Heather Richmond, MD and Jennifer Mueller, JD

Last Updated: December 24, 2021 References

Glycolic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid that exfoliates the skin. You'll find it in varying concentrations in commercial skincare products, including daily cleansers and toners. People swear by this naturally occurring acid to do everything from clear up acne to reduce fine lines and wrinkles associated with aging and sun damage. It can even help fade your acne scars!^{[1]
X
Research source} But is this ingredient actually safe to use every day? Here, we've gathered answers to some of your most common questions about including glycolic acid in your skincare routine.

Question 1 of 12:

Can I use glycolic acid as part of my daily skincare routine?

Yes, if you use commercial products with low concentrations. Commercial skincare products sold to the public can't have a concentration of more than 10% glycolic acid. Products that are designed to be a regular part of your skincare routine, such as cleansers and toners, generally have even lower concentrations of 5% or less.^{[2]
X
Trustworthy Source
US Food and Drug Administration
U.S. government agency responsible for promoting public health
Go to source}
- Expect your skin to tingle a little after you use glycolic acid. If it looks or feels like a sunburn, though, lay off the glycolic acid for a few days. When you go back to it, cut back to 2-3 days a week instead of every day and see if that helps.
- To avoid irritating your skin, go with the lowest concentration you can find that will get you the results you want. This might take a little trial and error to find the right product for you.

Question 2 of 12:

How can I make sure glycolic acid is safe for my skin?

Do a patch test on the back of your hand. When you get a new product, rub some into the skin on the back of your hand. Wait 24-48 hours to make sure, but if your hand still looks the same, you're fine!^{[3]
X
Research source}
- It's true that the skin on your face can be more sensitive, so doing a patch test doesn't guarantee you won't have any reaction. You might still see some redness or irritation, but that's normal.
- Definitely keep products with glycolic acid away from the skin around your eyes, which is the most delicate and sensitive skin on your face.

Question 3 of 12:

What skin conditions does glycolic acid treat?

Glycolic acid is typically used to treat acne and signs of aging. Like other alpha hydroxy acids, glycolic acid exfoliates the skin to improve its overall appearance.^{[4]
X
Expert Source

Heather Richmond, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist
Expert Interview. 15 September 2020.} With regular use, it can reduce the appearance of fine lines and evidence of sun damage. Higher-concentration peels can also stabilize oily skin and improve your overall skin tone.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Peels with higher concentrations of glycolic acid are also used to lighten skin tone or skin discolorations and fade or remove scars.^{[6]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  US Food and Drug Administration
  U.S. government agency responsible for promoting public health
  Go to source}

Question 4 of 12:

How should I use glycolic acid products?

Start with a cleanser or toner at night. You don't want to use glycolic acid during the day until you know for sure how your skin will react to it. Use it maybe 3 nights a week to start—just wash your face as normal and follow up with a moisturizer. If your skin handles it fine, you can bump up to daily use.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- If you decide to add a glycolic acid product to your morning routine, make sure you follow up with sunscreen.^{[8]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Heather Richmond, MD
  Board Certified Dermatologist
  Expert Interview. 15 September 2020.} Glycolic acid makes your skin extra sensitive and it's easy to get a sunburn, even if you're not outside for very long.
- Masks, serums, and other treatment products typically have a higher concentration of glycolic acid than cleansers and toners do. Save these for once or twice a week at most. Read the instructions on the package carefully, because some of them have specific recommendations.

Question 5 of 12:

Is it safe to use both glycolic acid and retinol products?

Yes, it's safe to combine them, but they might irritate your skin. It's a common misconception that you should never mix glycolic acid and retinol products. Because they're both exfoliants, they can actually complement each other if used in tandem. But the one-two punch of double-exfoliation might seriously irritate your skin. Using both at the same time also makes your skin even more sensitive to the sun's rays, so you can get sunburned pretty easily if you're not wearing sunscreen every time you go outside.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- Another thing to consider is the "skin purging" effect. Both retinol and glycolic acid products tend to cause breakouts when you first start using them as your skin releases impurities that were clogging your pores.^{[10]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Heather Richmond, MD
  Board Certified Dermatologist
  Expert Interview. 15 September 2020.} These breakouts can be more intense if you're combining the two products.
- If your skin is already prone to irritation, it's probably a good idea to use these products separately rather than combining them.^{[11]
  X
  Research source}

Question 6 of 12:

Do I need to moisturize after using glycolic acid?

Yes, you should always apply a moisturizer after using glycolic acid. Glycolic acid is an exfoliant and can leave your skin a little raw. It can also cause the top layer of your skin to become dry and flaky if you don't follow up with a moisturizer.^{[12]
X
Research source}
- Moisturizer can also help cover and reduce the signs of peeling that are common after a high-concentration peel with glycolic acid. If you get a peel from a dermatologist, you'll usually peel for several days afterward.^{[13]
  X
  Research source}

Question 7 of 12:

Will glycolic acid make my skin more sensitive to the sun?

Yes, glycolic acid increases your risk of sunburn. For this reason, you should always apply sunscreen after your moisturizer (or use a moisturizer with built-in sunscreen) to protect your face. If you get a high-concentration peel, wear sunscreen and a hat to shield your face whenever you go outside.^{[14]
X
Trustworthy Source
US Food and Drug Administration
U.S. government agency responsible for promoting public health
Go to source}

Question 8 of 12:

Can I do a glycolic acid peel at home?

No, high-concentration peels can only be applied by a dermatologist. At least in the US, products sold directly to people to use at home can't have a concentration of more than 10% glycolic acid (or any other alpha hydroxy acid).^{[15]
X
Trustworthy Source
US Food and Drug Administration
U.S. government agency responsible for promoting public health
Go to source} Dermatologists have products with up to 70% concentration, but these can only be applied in-office.^{[16]
X
Research source}
- You might find products marketed as "peels," but they're little more than peel-off face masks and won't contain a concentration of more than 10% glycolic acid. These products aren't a substitute for an in-office peel applied by a dermatologist, so don't expect similar results.

Question 9 of 12:

How frequently can I get higher concentration peels?

Wait at least 2 weeks between peels to allow your skin to recover. Most dermatologists won't schedule glycolic acid peels more frequently than once every 2 weeks. This is really the minimum amount of time between peels—if you have a lot of sensitivity, you might want to schedule them further apart.^{[17]
X
Research source}

Question 10 of 12:

How long does it take glycolic acid to fade acne scars?

Expect it to take at least 10 weeks with high-concentration peels. Over-the-counter glycolic acid treatments aren't strong enough to effectively fade scars. But if you visit a dermatologist once every 2 weeks for a 70% glycolic acid peel, your scars should be less noticeable after 5 sessions.^{[18]
X
Trustworthy Source
PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source}
- Generally, it takes 4-6 peels before you start to notice any changes at all. Be prepared for it to take longer depending on how dark your scars are and what results you want.

Question 11 of 12:

What happens if you use too much glycolic acid?

Your skin will become red and irritated if you overuse glycolic acid. This can also happen if you're using products with several different alpha hydroxy acids at once. Layering acids like that is way too much exfoliation for your skin.^{[19]
X
Research source}
- If you're using over-the-counter toners or cleansers with glycolic acid as an ingredient, you shouldn't have to worry about using too much. They have a really low concentration and don't stay on your skin for very long.
- If you get a peel from a dermatologist, your favorite toner or cleanser might end up being too much. Wait for your skin to heal after the peel before you go back to glycolic acid products.

Question 12 of 12:

Can I use glycolic acid if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?

Yes, glycolic acid is generally considered safe to use during pregnancy. There haven't been any scientific studies evaluating the use of glycolic acid during human pregnancy. However, when applied to the skin, very little is absorbed into your system, so it isn't any real cause for concern. The same is true for breastfeeding.^{[20]
X
Trustworthy Source
PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source}

Expert Q&A

Question

What can I use to get rid of chronic beard ingrown hairs?

Heather Richmond, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist
Dr. Heather Richmond, MD is a board certified Dermatologist at Dermatology and Laser Surgery Center in Houston, Texas. With over nine years of experience, Dr. Richmond specializes in comprehensive dermatology including medical, surgical, and cosmetic procedures. She graduated cum laude from Yale University with a BA in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. She earned her MD from the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, where she was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. She completed her Internal Medicine internship at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and her Dermatology residency at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Dr. Richmond is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and is a member of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, and the Texas and Houston Dermatological Societies.

Heather Richmond, MD

Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Answer

Use a topical cream that contains some alpha hydroxy acids. They are chemical exfoliants that help to unclog the follicles.
Question

Which sunscreens are more effective?

Heather Richmond, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist
Dr. Heather Richmond, MD is a board certified Dermatologist at Dermatology and Laser Surgery Center in Houston, Texas. With over nine years of experience, Dr. Richmond specializes in comprehensive dermatology including medical, surgical, and cosmetic procedures. She graduated cum laude from Yale University with a BA in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. She earned her MD from the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, where she was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. She completed her Internal Medicine internship at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and her Dermatology residency at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Dr. Richmond is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and is a member of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, and the Texas and Houston Dermatological Societies.

Heather Richmond, MD

Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Answer

Mineral sunscreens with active ingredients of titanium or zinc are more natural and effective.
Question

Which cosmetic products can help to minimize wrinkles?

Heather Richmond, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist
Dr. Heather Richmond, MD is a board certified Dermatologist at Dermatology and Laser Surgery Center in Houston, Texas. With over nine years of experience, Dr. Richmond specializes in comprehensive dermatology including medical, surgical, and cosmetic procedures. She graduated cum laude from Yale University with a BA in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. She earned her MD from the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, where she was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. She completed her Internal Medicine internship at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and her Dermatology residency at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Dr. Richmond is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and is a member of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, and the Texas and Houston Dermatological Societies.

Heather Richmond, MD

Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Answer

Cosmetic products with peptides that help stimulate new collagen and elastin fibers help to minimize wrinkles.

Warnings

Glycolic acid can make your skin more sensitive to UV rays. If you're using glycolic acid, always wear sunscreen when you go outside, even on a cloudy day.^{[21]
X
Trustworthy Source
US Food and Drug Administration
U.S. government agency responsible for promoting public health
Go to source}

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0