The Science Behind Glycolic Acid – does it actually work?
If you’re into skincare trends, you’ve probably stumbled upon Tiktok videos of ladies promising light and smooth underarms by using The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Toner.
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toning Solution from ulta.com
And of course, as with anything you put on your precious skin, you do need to do some research first to make sure that it’s effective and safe to use.
So we’re here to give you the lowdown about glycolic acid and what the skincare experts actually say about this ingredient. As a bonus we’ll also share our personal experience and review of The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Toner.
What does glycolic acid do and how does it work?
As explained in Medical News Today, glycolic acid is a substance that can remove the top layer of skin cells. It can exfoliate one’s skin by dissolving dead skin cells and oils. It also has a small molecular structure which enables it to penetrate deeper into the skin.
Although glycolic acid is an exfoliant, it will not dry out your skin as it is also a humectant. This means that is has the ability to attract and bind water to skin cells.
Glycolic acid benefits
Given the properties of glycolic acid stated above, it is a great skincare ingredient that can provide a lot of benefits.
Acne
Photo from yalemedicine.org
Acne is usually caused by clogged pores from dirt, dead skin cells and oil. Since glycolic acid is an exfoliant, it can help clean out or unclog pores which can lead to more acne.
Hyperpigmentation
As explained in Healthline, hyperpigmentation or dark spots or areas on your skin is due to excess melanin production. Melanin is the natural pigment in our skin that gives it its color.
Due to different factors such as sun exposure, acne scarring and hormonal changes, melanin in sometimes over produced which results to dark spots or areas on our skin.
Image from health.clevelandclinic.org
Exfoliating with glycolic acid can help address hyperpigmentation. It can break down the top layer of skin cells which can help new and fresh skin cells to emerge.
So yes, science seems to support the claim that The Ordinary Glycolic Acid can help in lightening dark patches or areas of our skin, including our underarms.
Rough skin, fine lines and wrinkles
As we age, our skin begins to lose its natural plumpness and elasticity which results to fine lines and wrinkles. Though these are inevitable and quite impossible to totally get rid off, you can help lessen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles with the use of glycolic acid.
As mentioned previously, glycolic acid is a humectant which means that it can attract and bind with water. This helps with keeping your skin hydrated, juicy and plump.
Additionally, a 2020 study concluded that glycolic acid can help keep your skin moisturized, stimulate the production of collagen, can help with skin repair and improve skin elasticity.
So if you also want to smoothen the appearance of your underarms, it’s not a bad idea try products with glycolic acid such as The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Toner.
How to use glycolic acid
Now that we’re convinced of the benefits of glycolic acid, it is important to know how, where and when to use it.
There are so many glycolic acid products out there — from cleansers to toners to serums. So which one do you use?
SkinCeuticals Glycolic Renewal Cleanser from skinceuticals.com
Murad Vitamin C Glycolic Brightening Serum from ulta.com
L’oreal Revitalift 10% Pure Glycolic Acid Serum from ulta.com
It really depends on your preferred skincare routine steps and if you have any other favorite products that you already love using. Like for example, if you already have a favorite serum to use, then maybe don’t go for a glycolic acid serum.
But since glycolic acid is essentially an exfoliant, it makes sense to use it after cleansing and before serums. So a glycolic acid in a toner or pad format is a practical choice.
The Inkey List Glycolic Acid Toner from amazon.com
First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads with Glycolic + Lactic Acids from ulta.com
Pixi Glow Tonic To-Go 5% Glycolic Acid Pads from ulta.com
The Ordinary 7% Glycolic Acid Toner Review
Now it’s time to review the most popular glycolic acid toner right now (at least on Tiktok) — The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toning Solution.
Price
This toner is probably the cheapest glycolic acid toner in the market at the moment. The Ordinary prides itself for delivering effective and clinical products at honorable prices.
It’s no wonder that a lot of skincare experts recommend The Ordinary products for those looking for cheaper but truly effective alternatives.
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Toner is no different. A big, 8 oz bottle will only cost you USD 13 from Ulta.
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution from ulta.com
We absolutely love affordable skincare products as it makes it easier to re-purchase and consistently use them to really reap and enjoy its benefits. Remember that to truly see great results, you have to use products consistently for a long period of time.
Strength
Earlier in this article, we mentioned that glycolic acid has a small molecular structure which means that it can easily penetrate deeper into the skin. This also means that glycolic acid can irritate your skin, especially if you have very sensitive skin.
Image from glamourmagazine.co.uk
But don’t worry, most people can still use glycolic acid. The key is to check the strength or concentration of the glycolic acid in skincare products.
According to Paula’s Choice, a concentration of 5% to 10% is effective for exfoliation on a daily basis. WebMD warns against using products with more than 10% concentration. These products should only be used under the supervision of a dermatologist.
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Toner has the perfect concentration for daily use at 7%. We love this about this product as it is mild enough to use regularly but is also at a level which can deliver effective exfoliation.
Effects
After months of using The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Toner, we can confidently say that it delivers on its promise of exfoliating the skin without drying it out.
Our skin (yes, including our underarms), is soft, smooth and supple. We can also see a change when it comes to skin tone. Though still not perfectly even, dark spots on our face and dark lines on our underarms have faded a bit. There is definitely an improvement and we cannot wait to continuously use this product to get the maximum benefits.
