Acne can potentially affect every aspect of your life, from your career and personal relationships to your mental health. This common ailment causes chronic inflammation of the skin in the form of blackheads, whiteheads, cysts, pimples, and nodules. About 85 percent of people ages 12 to 24 have experienced these problems.
Glycolic acid peels can help get rid of acne and prevent future breakouts. Its effectiveness varies from one brand to another, and individual to individual. This type of acne treatment is widely prescribed by dermatologists worldwide.
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How Does Glycolic Acid Work?
Glycolic acid is one of the five Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA). This compound has strong exfoliating properties and can be safely used on most skin types. It’s actually considered the safest form of alpha hydroxy acids. Basically, it dissolves the “cement” between skin cells, removes debris, and leaves your skin clean and smooth.
A good glycolic acid peel will penetrate the deepest layers of your skin and increase collagen production. It also boosts elastin levels, which helps minimize wrinkles and fine lines. Due to its high acidity, it exfoliates dead skin cells and keeps your pores from clogging.
Most glycolic acid acne treatments have at least three percent concentration of glycolic acid. Since this compound is derived from sugar cane, it belongs to the same category as citric acid. It is commonly used for reducing acne and inflammation as well as for its anti-aging effects. Glycolic acid peels can prevent acne breakouts, minimize the appearance of wrinkles, and provide younger looking skin.
The Surprising Benefits of Glycolic Acid
Not all products containing glycolic acid are effective against acne. How well they work depends on the concentration of glycolic acid as well as on the severity of your symptoms. Professional peels boast concentrations of 20 percent to 70 percent. If you’re planning to use glycolic acid every other day, look for products with a lower percentage, such as 12 percent. This way, you’ll prevent skin redness, inflammation, and other side effects.
A daily exfoliator is the best choice for most types of acne and blackheads. It’s recommended to gradually increase application frequency and monitor how your skin reacts. If there is no redness or tingling, apply the product daily.
This form of treatment has a gentle action and can be used on sun-damage, blemished, or aging skin. If you use the right concentration of glycolic, there should be no side effects. The most powerful formulas out there almost seem to dissolve blackheads instantly. These products stimulate cell repair and support the formation of new skin cells. At the same time, they remove dirt and debris, which are often the primary cause of blackheads.
It should also be noted that glycolic acid peels may make the skin temporarily more susceptible to sun damage. Ensure that you use sunscreen if you are going out on a bright day after using this treatment.
Which is the Best Glycolic Acid Peel Product?
Our score: 
PERFECT IMAGE’s glycolic acid peel is our pick for the top glycolic acid peel for acne and blackheads. It’s unique formula combines a powerful concentration of refine glycolic acid with a range of skin tone balancing and skin soothing extracts. These additional ingredients are useful for couteracting the side-effects of high concentration glycolic acid on the skin. The result is a product which typically causes little to no irritation in people with normal-oily skin types.
Another reason to love this product is its responsible design and manafacture procecss. Perfect Image guarantees this product uses no animal cruelty, is FDA registered and GMP compliant manafacturing, uses recycled and sustainable material use, contains no Parabens, Sulfates, Phthalates, and is glutan free. These are all signs of a company that cares about their product and customers.
Key Ingredients
- Glycolic acid 50%
- Retinol (Vitamin A) – improves skin tone
- Green Tea – antioxidant and anti -inflammatory
- Chamomile Extracts – antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
- Cucumber extract – antioxidant
Pros
- Cruelty free
- Uses sustainable and recycled materials
- FDA registered manafacturing and GMP Compliant
Cons
- Requires careful application due to high concentration GA.
- People with sensiitive skin may experience redness/irratation
GLYCO-A by ISIS PHARMA is a relatively inexpensive option for anyone looking for a lower dosage glycolic acid peel. Though not as prolofic as some other brands, we believe ISIS PHARMA to be a trusted and respected company with a focus on quality and user satisfaction.
This product is particularly appealing for users with combination and non-oily skin types due to the lower concentration of glycolic acid. That said, this product should not be used by people with sensitive skin as it will likely cause irritation.
Key Ingredients
- Glycolic acid (12%)
Pros
- Simple but well balanced formula
- The lower concentration of glycolic acid is less harmful to skin
Cons
- Doesn’t contain anti-inflammatories
- May take several applications to see significant results