Overview
Some skincare ingredients are powerful in their own right, but others – such as hyaluronic acid and glycolic acid – can prove even more effective as a pair. Glycolic acid is a potent chemical exfoliant but may cause dryness and increased sensitivity in less tolerant skin types. Introducing hyaluronic acid alongside glycolic acid can help strengthen the skin moisture barrier and mitigate feelings of discomfort.
As Dr Samantha Davidson Says “Using Glycolic Acid and Hyaluronic Acid together in your skin care regime, may be the change that you need. The contrasting, yet complementary ingredients, when paired will allow you to maximise the benefits of each ingredient's individual properties. Glycolic Acid primarily exfoliates the top layer of skin, but adding hyaluronic acid allows you to do this without your skin feeling over dried or irritated. Further, applying hyaluronic acid after glycolic acid allows the hydrating benefits of the hyaluronic acid to penetrate the skin more deeply, giving greater results.”
Key facts
- Glycolic acid is a chemical exfoliant that sloughs dead skin cells to help smooth rough, uneven texture and improve the appearance of dull, uneven skin tone.
- Hyaluronic acid is a humectant (water-attracting ingredient) that plumps and hydrates the skin surface.
- Pairing hyaluronic acid with glycolic acid helps reduce some of the discomfort associated with exfoliating acids, while glycolic acid can improve the absorption of hyaluronic acid.
- Apply a glycolic acid-based cleanser or serum to gently exfoliate the skin, then lock in hydration with a hyaluronic acid-infused serum and moisturiser to promote smoother, plumper, more even-looking skin.