Glycolic acid is a type of hydroxy acid that depending on the percentage and PH helps in shedding the dead skin. Exfoliation is an important part of your skin care routine as it helps brighten skin, making it radiant, smooth and soft. Experts also believe that this step prevents the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. The use of glycolic acid face wash helps rejuvenate the skin, minimise acne scars and it also helps with effective penetration of other medicines.
How to take care of your skin while using Hydroxy acid products?
Glycolic acid face wash work by peeling of skin that is invisible to naked eye so make sure to use a hydrating emollient or gel as per your skin type to soothe your skin. Do not use harsh scrubs along with it. Some studies show that hydroxy acids might make your skin more sensitive to uv rays so always use a broad spectrum sunscreen.
Its not advisable to use many products with hydroxy acids at the same time hence limit it only to a face wash or lotion whichever you prefer. Give it some time, maybe 3 months. AHA are proven to work. Start with one that has a low percentage glycolic acid.
Given proper care like using sunscreen even when at home, your skin will be brighter and glowing. Click to find a List of the best Sunscreens you should give a chance with ingredient analysis report. I will link dermatologist approved sunscreen list later. I have also linked an article to a list of skin healing and repair creams towards the end of this post, that you can use along with this. Please read that article to know more about skin repair creams and ingredients to look for.
- After three months use it once a week for maintenance. Sensitive skin beauties should avoid this or do a patch test first. Glycolic acid face wash is generally available in every medical stores/Pharmacy. The glycolic acid facewashes that i usually go for are AHA glow and Ducray Keracnyl. Both worked well on my sensitive skin.
Direction for using Hydroxy Acid face wash:
1. Damp the face with water
2. Dispense required quantity of face wash onto the palms
3. Massage in upward circular motion for 20-30 seconds
3. Rinse off with clear water and pat the face dry
1. AHA Glow Face Wash: 1% glycolic acid
This is the one i have been using. I have been using it once a week for the past five years. Ahaglow Face wash contains Aloe vera, Glycolic acid and Vitamin E. Aloe vera moisturises the skin and Glycolic acid help fighting acne. Vitamin E helps to improve skin tone and texture. AHA Glow facewash is a gel based cleaner which helps in controlling skin softness, remove extra dirt and oil. Aha glow facewash not only cleans the skin, but it also helps to lighten acne marks and removes tan. This facewash rejuvenates the skin by encouraging the shedding of old and dead skin cells.
Directions for use:
Just squeeze a generous amount in your palm.
Crush the millicapsules.
Work up lather and massage gently on your wet face and neck.
Rinse off with clean water and pat your face dry.
For best results, use twice a day. Regular use can noticeably reduce the number of superficial wrinkles.
Ingredients:
Glycolic acid 1%, aloe vera 5%, vitamin E, bronopol, disodium EDTA, sodium hydroxide, Tween 80, cresmer RH 40, Proteol Oat, Oramix NS10, sodium lauryl sulphate and coloured microcapsules
2. Glommed face wash: 5% glycolic acid
A non-irritant faces cleanser for aging, pigmentation and oily skin. It is 100% soap free gentle cleanser which stimulates shedding of the dead skin cells there by rejuvenates and purifies the skin; revealing underneath new radiant skin.
It’s special ingredients also reduce superficial wrinkles, ageing signs and blackheads. Glomed , through its skin lightening actives, also improves skin texture and complexion.
3. Rejuglow face wash: 2% glycolic acid
Glycolic Acid 2%, Salicylic Acid 1%, Aloe Vera Extract 5%, Vitamin E Acetate 0.5%,
full ingredient list not given on the label 🙁
- .Rejuglow is a skin rejuvenating face wash contains Aloe vera, Glycolic acid, Salicyclic acid and Vitamin E
- .Aloe vera moisturises the skin and Glycolic acid help fighting acne.
- Vitamin E helps to improve skin tone and texture. Rejuglow facewash helps in controlling skin softness, remove extra dirt and oil.
- Salicyclic acid acts as a peeling agent that helps to shed of the top layer of skin to open up follicles that are clogged and are causing acne.
Rejuglow face wash not only cleans the skin, but it also helps to lighten acne marks and removes tan. This face wash rejuvenates the skin by encouraging the shedding of old and dead skin cells.
4. KLM KLIN face wash: 2% salicylate acid
KLMKLIN Face Wash contains 2% of salicylic acid. Salicyclic acid acts as a peeling agent that helps to shed of the top layer of skin to open up follicles that are clogged and are causing acne. It also helps in the growth of new skin cells, over all; it gives a skin which looks much fresher and younger. KLMKLIN foaming face wash should be used as part of the daily cleansing routine for the treatment and prevention of acne for people with oily skin.
Directions of use:
Take approximately 1 ml of solution and gently massage the foam all over the wet face avoiding eyes and surrounding areas. Allow it to remain for 20 to 30 seconds. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry. Use twice daily.
5. Keracnyl foaming face wash:
- This is a regular hygiene for oily and acne prone skin
- Has four pronged mechanism of action keratolytic, anti-inflammatory, sebo regulating
- It has pleasant green apple fragrance which provides a refreshing feel
This soap-free foaming gel is enriched in Myrtacine and cleanses and purifies skin gently and deeply. This has a brightening effect on the skin, reduces black heads and acne. Though it is priced sligher higher than the others its absolutely worth it. This suited my sensitive skin well.
Ingredients:
WATER (AQUA), ZINC COCETH SULFATE, LAURYL BETAINE, DECYL GLUCOSIDE, CETEARETH-60 MYRISTYL GLYCOL, POLYSORBATE 20, SODIUM CHLORIDE , TRIDECETH-9, BHT, CI 42090, CITRIC ACID, PARFUM, MYRTUS COMMUNIS LEAF EXTRACT, PEG-40 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL, PEG-5 ETHYLHEXANOATE, PPG-26-BUTETH-26, SERENOA SERRULATA FRUIT EXTRACT, SODIUM BENZOATE, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, TRISODIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINE DISUCCINATE. Paraben-free, hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic
6. Melawash by Curatio Healthcare:
6% glycolic acid
Where to Buy
Ingredients: glycolic acid, aqua ,sodium laureth sulphate,cocobetaine,glycolic acid,acrylates copolymer,decyl glucoside,glycerin,sodium hydroxide,dmdm hydantoin,disodium edta,methylchlorisothiazolin one and methylchlorisothiazolinone
Pretty strong glycolic acid concentration here. Melawash is targeted mainly at melasma (that’s why the name Melawash) but can also be used to fade dark acne spots fast. If your skin is not sensitive and you only want to include one exfoliant product in your skin care routine, and no AHA / Retinoid creams etc. just this could be enough. This is not a beginners product as the concention is high. use it only if your skin is used to glycolic acids.
- Gel Based face wash
- Non-comedogenic
- Effective against acne, pigmentation & ageing skin
- Suitable for all skin types
How to Use:
Squeeze small amount of face wash from the tube
Massage on the face and neck in upward circular motion
Leave it on the skin for 2-3 minutes
Rinse off with clean water and dry with a towel
Apply twice a day i.e Morning & Night
7. Glycolite skin rejuvating face wash :
This face wash works very well. Effects are visible. Mild irritation might be possible for some. Glycolite skin lightening & rejuvenating Face Wash is a gentle cleanser. Its contents like Glycolic Acid and Lactic Acid are generally used as natural skin exfoliates and moisturizers.
Alfa-Hydroxy face wash helps remove sebum build up and dead skin cells that can cause acne lesions or accentuate fine lines. This content reacts with the upper layer of the epidermis weakening the binding properties of the lipids that hold the dead skin cells togetther.
The other ingredients carry the individual flakes away and a water rinse neutralizes the remaining acid. The result is a much smoother skin surface, a more youthful appearance & texture. It may reduce wrinkles, acne scarring, hyperpigmentation and improve many other skin conditions.
Ingredients:
GLYCOLIC ACID 2%
LACTIC ACID 2%
SALICYLIC ACID 2%
8. Vichy Normaderm Deep Cleansing Purifying Gel:
0.175% glycolic acid
Price was around 590 when i last checked
Cleansing gel that purifies skin in-depth.
- Removes dead cells and unclogs pores, purifies skin from deep within
- Contains glycolic acid, glycadone and dermostim
- Gel based texture
Target :For women with imperfection-prone skin: local outbreaks, obstructed pores, shininess.
Efficacity : “This purifying, cleansing gel is rich in Salicylic acid and Totarol for cleansing action and in Eperuline for anti-irritating action. Purified, your skin is smoothed and visibly healthier.”
Tolerance : Both ultra-effective and ultra-gentle, the purifying, cleansing gel is kind, even to the most sensitive skin.
Ingredients:
0.175% glycolic acid
Its gel texture provides purifying cleansing that is easy and pleasant to apply and easy to rinse off.
Proof :After 4 weeks :
Skin is visibly healthier: 90%.
Skin texture is refined: 71%.
Self-evaluation by 76 women.
Action : Eliminates impurities and unclogs pores in-depth.
9. Ethiglo face wash :
Ethiglo skin whitening face wash,with its deep cleansing and special actives helps to reduce blemishes and lightens the skin tone. You would love to indulge yourself in a creamy feel and foam of Ethiglo while its special formula with globules cleanses and works on improving your complexion and skin tone.
- Deep Cleansing Facial Foam
- Creamy face wash
- Skin whitening
- Special formula with mili globules
Ingredients:
Kojic Acid – 1%
Vitamin C – 0.5%
Liquorice – 1%
Nicotinamide – 0.5%
Blend of AHA & BHA – 1.5%
Triclosan, Vit E, D-Penthenol – 0.5%
10: Glogeous face wash gel:
Glogeous Face Wash Gel deep cleanses with superior nourishment without disrupting the pH balance of the skin. Glogeous Face Wash contains Aloe vera, Fresh cell (Pumpkin), Glycolic acid, Vitamin E and fruit extract.
These natural ingredient improves the skin radiant and reduces appearance of acne on the skin.
Benefits of Glogeous Face Wash Gel:
- Cleans deep inside the pores of the skin
- Maintains pH balance
- Prevents dryness post application of the face wash
- Gently cleanses surface dirt, sweat, excess oil and impurities
- Removes water insoluble impurities
- Suitable for all skin types especially Acne Prone Skin
Use atleast twice a day regularly to enhance antimicrobial activity. This reduces the risk of infections on the skin.
Conclusion:
Always use sunscreen of 30+++ spf or higher
Avoid harsh scrubs/facepacks/facemasks
Continue this routine for three months
Continue using once a week for maintainance
Go for skin repair creams with potent ingredients to soothe and repair your skin.
