Description
Glycolic Acid Powder is a naturally occurring alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It is used to rejuvenate the skin by encouraging the shedding of old surface skin cells. Glycolic acid is the AHA most frequently used for peel products. The powder is described as 100% concentrated natural sugarcane extract for accelerating skin cell turnover (chemical peel / exfoliation).
It is a colorless, odorless, hygroscopic crystalline solid that is highly soluble in water and used in various skincare products.
Chemically, glycolic acid is slightly stronger than acetic acid due to the electron-withdrawing power of the terminal hydroxyl group. The carboxylate group can form coordination complexes with metal ions (notably stronger complexes with Pb²⁺ and Cu²⁺ than other carboxylic acids), suggesting the hydroxyl group is involved in complex formation (possibly with loss of its proton).
Cosmetic Applications
Because it penetrates the skin well, glycolic acid is used in skincare products, most often as a chemical peel:
• Physician-strength peels can reach pH as low as ~0.6 (strong enough to fully keratolyze the epidermis).
• Home-use peels are typically no lower than ~pH 2.5.
Once applied, it reacts with the upper epidermis, weakening the lipid bonds holding dead skin cells together. This allows the stratum corneum to be exfoliated, exposing live skin cells.
Listed Cosmetic Benefits
• Can reduce the appearance of fine lines, irregular pigmentation, age spots, and enlarged pores.
• Useful in exfoliating products as an alpha-hydroxy acid peel, or at lower concentrations in creams/lotions for a gentler acid-based peel by encouraging shedding of old surface skin cells.
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