Hello beauties,

The inclusion of acids in your skincare routine can be immensely beneficial for maintaining healthy and radiant skin. Acids, such as hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid, play pivotal roles in addressing various skincare concerns. Because of that, we decided to talk about two of our favorite acids: Glycolic Acid and Salicylic Acid.

Our goal is to at the end of this post, you know the difference between these two acids, and how you can incorporate each one in your skincare routine. 

What is Glycolic Acid?

Glycolic acid is an AHA that comes from the sugarcane. It’s renowned for its exfoliating abilities, aiding the removal of dead skin cells and promoting a smoother skin texture. Glycolic Acid is also known for stimulating the production of collagen, improving the elasticity of the skin and the appearance of wrinkles.

Glycolic Acid is widely recognized as the perfect ally for skincare routines targeting hyperpigmentation and acne scars. Moreover, it’s known to enhance the absorption of other skincare products, making it an excellent addition to any beauty regimen. Additionally, the gentle nature of glycolic acid makes it suitable for various skin types, offering a versatile solution for individuals looking to address specific concerns while improving overall skin health.

What is Salicylic Acid?

Salicylic acid is a BHA known for its properties as anti-inflammatory, and its capacity to penetrate deep into pores. This makes it the perfect ingredient for oily and acne-prone skin, by unclogging pores and reducing inflammation.

Just like Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid works wonders for the skin, gently exfoliating to promote a smoother, better texture. Its deep-penetrating properties effectively remove excess oil and dead skin cells, making it particularly effective for acne-prone skin. As if that wasn’t enough, Salicylic Acid also boasts anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, making it a versatile and powerful ingredient. It not only helps improve the appearance of acne scars by promoting exfoliation but also, reveals fresh, smooth skin.

Glycolic Acid vs Salicylic Acid

The main difference between glycolic acid and salicylic acid is that they belong to different classes. While glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) derived from sugarcane and soluble in water, salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) of vegetable origin and soluble in oil.

Which one should you choose?

Both glycolic acid and salicylic acid promote exfoliation in the upper layer of the skin, but their mechanisms of action differ. Glycolic acid is recommended for exfoliating, evening out, lightening the skin, and reducing expression lines, while salicylic acid is more suitable for oily and acne-prone skin due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

Can I use Glycolid Acid with Salicylic Acid?

You have to be careful when mixing acids in your skincare routine because it can create, skin irritation. Therefore, if you want to combine the benefits of glycolic acid with salicylic acid, you must alternate the days of use. It’s also important to use other moisturizing active ingredients that can relieve any feeling of irritated skin, such as Niacinamide.

How should you use these acids?

Both acids are Photosensitive and have exclusively night use. But it’s easy to find products that can be used in the morning with these acids because they contain a low percentage of the acid. If you are using one or the other acid, use sunscreen in the morning as your last skincare step. 

We also advise you to start slowly, this way you can avoid skin irritation. Start by using the acid once or twice a week and increase the frequency as the skin starts to get used to the acid.

If you have sensitive skin or rosacea, go to a dermatologist before starting to use acids, they will advise you which acid is the best for you, and how you should use it.

Comment down below which acid is your favorite or send us an email to beautyworkerslife@gmail.com