One of the ingredients that I've really come to love in my skincare-trying adventures is glycolic acid. For me, it's an absolute must in my routine - my skin would suffer without it! If you aren't familiar with glycolic acid already, it is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that works to gently and effectively remove the outer layer of dead skin cells. It's especially great for anti-ageing, and evening out skintone by lightening pigmentation like acne scars which I am extremely prone to! It's also extremely important to wear SPF when using a chemical exfoliant like glycolic acid. I thought I would dedicate a post to the glycolic acid products I'm currently using!
Skinstitut Glycolic Cleanser 12%*
I just spoke about this in my favourites post, but I'll go a bit more in depth here. This is a lightweight creamy cleanser that almost has a gel feel, with a high concentration of glycolic acid. Although it is quite potent, I still find it to be gentle enough to use once a day, everyday. It's a very effective cleanser and leaves my skin feeling clean and smooth, but not at all dry or stripped. I think it's an excellent product to incorporate chemical exfoliating into a daily routine, in a light and gentle way. It also contains tea tree oil so I definitely think it helps keep acne at bay as well!
Skinstitut Glycolic Scrub 14%*
Designed to complement the Glycolic Cleanser, the scrub is the next step in exfoliation. Along with the chemical exfoliating factor (also a higher concentration of 14%), the scrub also contains jojoba beads for a physical exfoliant. In that respect, this product is a lot more intense and should only really be used 1-3 times a week. It also depends on your skin type, I probably wouldn't recommend this to very sensitive or irritated skins, but for my combo-oily skin that's quite acne-prone, it works amazingly. The jojoba beads are very small, and not at all scratchy so I still feel it's quite "gentle" in that regard - of course it depends on how rigorously you're scrubbing your skin! After use, my skin is immediately more smooth and soft, and with consistent use I definitely think it's helped combat acne (again, this one contains tea tree oil) and even my skin tone!
Pixi Glow Tonic
I've spoken about this product a few times already, but I do really love it! Before this, I was using my Alpha-H Liquid Gold which is absolutely amazing, but I definitely find it to be stronger, a bit more drying but also more effective. Glow Tonic is a more gentle version containing only 5% glycolic acid that I use as a toner about 2-3 times a week. It's definitely gentle enough though that you could ease into using it once a day, every day. It feels like a regular toner and there's no stinging or burning sensation at all. With consistent use though, my skin is softer, smoother, brighter and more even! A glycolic acid/chemical exfoliating toner is something I've been using for years and don't think I'll ever be without! This one is particularly great for AHA noobs or if you have slightly more sensitive skin.
REN Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask
I remember wanting to try this mask for legit the longest time, like YEARS. Everyone used to rave about this and it was the first real glycolic/chemical exfoliating mask I was introduced to. Well, I finally got my hands on it, about a year ago now haha, and I absolutely love it! I don't use it terribly often just because I already use so many other exfoliating and chemical exfoliating products in my regular routine, but whenever my skin is looking particularly dull and needs a pep-up - this is the product for it! Like everyone says, it looks and smells like a citrus marmalade and is quite fun to smear all over the face. It goes sticky and there's no burning or stinging sensation, but I can sort of feel a sensation, if that makes sense haha. I leave it on for around 15 minutes and afterwards my skin is immediately brighter and smoother. It's quite miraculous actually! Would definitely purchase the full size once I finish this mini!
So those are some of my must have glycolic acid products. How do you incorporate chemical exfoliants into your routine, and what are your favourite products?!
S H O P T H E P O S T >>
*Products sent for consideration. 
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