Glycolic acid: Water-soluble acid extracted from sugar cane typically used in the skincare industry.

It has a strong overall anti-ageing capacity and is also used in products for acne-prone skin. Of course, we’d say that, but there’s a benefit to shopping right here. These AHAs are commonly used to treat skin conditions such as rough skin, surface wrinkles and fine lines. Recognized for having exfoliating properties, AHAs leave the skin with a smooth and radiant appearance. Malic acid exfoliates dead cells on the outermost layer of the skin and promotes cell turnover, it is also excellent for brightening skin tone and is a great choice for sensitive skin.

Adding lactic acid to an exfoliating acid product can make it more hydrating. AHAs – Because alpha hydroxys are water-soluble, they only penetrate the top layer of the skin . Often referred to as “fruit acids”, AHAs are helpful in treating superficial concerns like mild acne, fine lines and wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. That’s because they help stimulate collagen by increasing the collagen-producing cells in the skin.

Papaya Fruit Extract

Exfoliation refers to a process where the skin cells on the surface shed off. This helps remove dead skin cells but also makes way for new skin cell generation. Alpha-hydroxy acids in the treatment of the signs of photoaging (Science Direct / Elsevier). Skin specialists and dermatologists are allowed to prescribe the use of AHA products above 10%, with close monitoring and usually for short term use only. Higher concentrations of AHAs can cause skin irritation and sensitisation. Licensed professionals would be able to balance the usage to only as much as needed.

• One 2015 study reported that 9 out of 10 volunteers who used AHAs over a three-week period experienced significant improvements in overall skin texture.
• In skin care applications, it provides many of the same benefits as other alpha hydroxy acids such as exfoliation and moisture retention.
• Arora et al. 2012 (Arora et al. 2012) listed some novel cosmetic delivery systems viz.
• Since it’s a powerful acid, you run the risk of skin irritation or burns.
• For in-office or in-salon peels, you will likely start off with a lower amount of glycolic acid.

It’s made from lactose in milk and is touted for its anti-aging effects. The only reason you would need to switch up the type of acid you’re using is if your skin’s needs have changed. If you’ve been using an acid product for a while and aren’t getting the desired results, you may just need a formula with different percentages. First and foremost, don’t get too close to the under-eye area. Your lashes can pick up and transfer products containing acids to the eyes, which can cause stinging. Secondly, I only recommend using acid products that were specifically formulated for this area. Exfoliating acid serums, on the other hand, tend to have a thicker consistency that can coat the skin and allow for a slow, steady release of acids.

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It also has a good antioxidant capacity, can even the skin tone and texture, and also reduces the appearance of fine lines. Exfoliation involves the removal of the oldest dead skin cells on the skin’s outermost surface.

They are among the cosmetic ingredients most often denounced by the press or consumer organisations for their potential to harm health. Percentage isn’t the only thing to consider, there’s also pH. An acid product is only as potent as the free-acid compounds floating around inside it. Too many acid bits and your skin stings and gets red, too few and nothing happens . So chemists play with the pH, which adjusts the amount of free acids. As skin care powerhouses go, vitamin C is high up on the list.

It also provides silky calmness, soothing red and irritated skin. The first living organ to be introduced in the market is a human skin made of all three layers. The key to success i.e., how to mix the individual bio components is patented by CIEMAT (Cubo et al. 2017).

In some studies, the toxic nature of these wastes has also been demonstrated, e.g., coffee silverskins, the main waste of the coffee-roasting industry, have undesirable compounds such as phytosterol-oxidized products and ochratoxin A . OTA has been classified as a possible carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and is known to induce nephropathy, renal toxicity, and immunosuppression (Ferraz et al. 2010; Kumar et al. 2012). Its content is three times higher than permissible limits in coffee silverskin and is a risk to human safety (Toschi et al. 2014). Agro-waste can also be contaminated with fungal toxins, pesticides, and industrial chemicals and hence they need careful neutralization before putting it for human use (Abou Fayssal et al. 2020). The technological advancements, as discussed, offer ways to produce natural, and effective ingredients with controlled and targeted delivery formulations. Today’s ingredient-savvy consumer is demanding a combo of beauty and wellness and prioritizing quality over quantity. A new concept “beauty inside out” requires proactively looking into new-generation natural ingredients such as green surfactants and green materials with the aid of technological advancement.

Skincare Glossary

An MIT-founded AI-driven start-up “Atolla” uses AI to develop skin-specific customized serum and claims its ingredients to be vegan, cruelty-free, without added fragrance, allergy-friendly, and responsibly farmed. All top beauty brands MAC, Estée Lauder, Clinique, L’Oréal, and Neutrogena dedicate their resources to AI to compete in the global market and anticipate emerging trends. Using big data and machine-learning algorithms, beauty apps such as ModiFace, CareOS Technologies’ Smart Mirror, FOREO For You provide customized skincare products as per skin concerns and goals.

First and foremost, you must wear sunscreen whenever you are using glycolic acid treatments. If you’re looking for glycolic acid, you have lots of choices. This skincare darling can be found in many over-the-counter products. They consist of tiny molecules that are very easy for your skin to absorb.