The world’s leading cosmetics brand just launched a new range of skincare products that it says is a breakthrough revolution in brightening – the Glycolic Bright. This new range contains the popular skincare ingredient Glycolic Acid, which is why the brand calls it a #GlycolicPeelInABottle. And ICYDK, Glycolic Acid has caught the interest of many in recent years due to its supposed effectiveness and wonders in terms of brightening dark spots and reducing the appearance of wrinkles. It got some people thinking, though, that it’s too good to be true, and a number of misconceptions about it emerged as well, so L’Oréal invited Dr. Erin Tababa-Santos, dubbed as the Nerdy Derma, in a recent livestream show to separate fact from fiction, debunk “miSKINceptions,” and show the viewers whether Glycolic Acid truly deserves the hype it gets. ICYMI, here’s a quick recap and a few skincare tips from the Nerdy Derma herself during the event!

WHAT IS GLYCOLIC ACID?

Glycolic Acid is the smallest type of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) and is categorized as a humectant. Consisting of tiny molecules, this water-soluble AHA made from sugarcane has the ability to reach deep into pores and draw moisture to itself. It is widely used in skincare products like cleansers, toners, serums, peels, masks, and creams. These over-the-counter products are gentle enough for daily use as they usually contain less Glycolic Acid compared to in-office peels that typically have 20-70% of the ingredient.

WHAT DOES IT DO FOR THE SKIN?

Since Glycolic Acid can easily penetrate the skin faster and deeper, allowing it to deeply exfoliate the outer and the deeper layers of the skin, this makes the popular ingredient perfect for:

• smoothing fine lines and wrinkles,
• fading and treating mild hyperpigmentation like dark spots, age spots, and freckles,
• removing dead skin cells,
• fighting acne and clearing pores, and
• improving skin texture.

Additionally, because it is categorized as a humectant, it can draw moisture to itself, allowing it to keep your skin moisturized and hydrated.

ADDRESSING "MISKINCEPTIONS"

Due to its popularity and despite the numerous advice from experts, there are still a bunch of misconceptions about this AHA, so Nerdy Derma Dr. Erin tried to clear some air of a few of them, and here’s what went down:

• You can actually mix glycolic acid with other actives.

One of the common misconceptions about this popular ingredient is that it should not be used with other active ingredients. Well, according to Dr. Erin, combining glycolic acid with other active dermatological ingredients like retinol, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C is actually safe, as long as you listen to your skin and pay attention to its reaction to different skincare products. 

“If, for example, sanay ka na do’n sa retinol product and you want to add a glycolic acid-containing product to treat your dark spots, and wala ka namang any sensitization or wala kang signs ng irritation, then that’s your skin telling you na it’s good to go,” the Nerdy Derma explained.

(If, for example, your skin is accustomed to retinol already but you wanted to add glycolic acid-infused products into your skincare routine to treat your dark spots, you’re free to do so as long as you don’t experience any sensitization or irritation.)

Dr. Erin added that even if these ingredients may complement each other, you should learn to alternate the use of each product. You can either use each alternatively in the morning and the evening or make a daily schedule for each. Just be sure not to use and mix different products directly in one go because if you do, you’re definitely setting your skin up for some irritation.

• It does sting.

Since Glycolic Acid is an AHA, and AHAs can potentially sting, this popular ingredient can indeed make your skin feel tingly or even slightly irritated in the first few times of use. It’s normal and will soon be gone once your skin gets used to this ingredient. So if you’re a beginner, don’t panic; just make sure to slowly ease it to your routine – maybe by opting for products with lower concentration – and use it correctly and not excessively.

• It does not whiten the skin.

No, Glycolic Acid does not whiten skin. Instead, it helps lighten dark spots and hyperpigmentation. It’s good for maintaining or improving your original and beautiful skin color and helping you have that glowing complexion no matter the skin tone, making it the perfect ingredient for the morena beauties.

FINAL MESSAGE FROM THE NERDY DERMA

As the livestream event came to a close, the Nerdy Derma made sure to reiterate three easy and quick tips just for you.

First, your skincare routines don’t have to hurt for them to be deemed effective; it’s supposed to be pleasurable and enjoyable. Second, make sure to align your skin goal with your skincare products. And lastly, nothing is magic and the results of your skincare routine won’t occur overnight, so be patient and consistent.

So, does Glycolic Acid deserve the hype it gets? Well, I do think so, but what about you? Has this piqued your curiosity enough for you to look for the perfect glycolic acid-infused skincare products to add to your daily regimen? If it did, here’s another reminder that L’Oréal Paris released a new range of skincare products with the popular AHA, the Glycolic Bright. This range inspired by derma peel procedures consists of a cleanser foam, a face serum, a day and night cream, and a serum mask. It’s also clinically proven to fade five years of dark spots in just weeks. So, saan ka pa, ‘di ba? Don’t miss your chance na dahil it’s still available online at a discounted price! Click here to grab your #GlycolicPeelInABottle now!

If you wish to watch the whole stream, you can catch it on L’Oréal Paris’ official Facebook page or check it below: