Using chemical exfoliants to renew and completely revitalize your skin is the new trend in town. Whether you pick a face cleanser or serum containing some AHA and BHA cleansing acids to replenish your skin, we’re sure you must have heard people discussing the benefits of Glycolic Acid vs Salicylic Acid. If you aren’t too familiar with these multifaceted acids that can have life-changing effects on your skin, here’s all you need to know!
Glycolic Acid vs Salicylic Acid: What are They?
Skincare acids usually fall into one of these two groups – alpha hydroxy acid (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs). Any face serum containing AHA will have soothing properties to gently smoothen your skin tone and texture, while a serum containing BHA has anti-inflammatory properties to cleanse acne-causing bacteria and reduce skin irritation.
Glycolic Acid falls into the AHA category as it is water-soluble component found in foods like sugarcane. Thanks to its small molecules size, glycolic acid based skincare can easily penetrate your skin barrier and effortlessly exfoliates the topmost layer of your skin while retaining natural moisture content of your skin. It is extremely beneficial in boosting skin cell renewal, decreases inflammation and protects against sun radiation.
Salicylic Acid, on the other hand, is a BHA either found naturally in willow bark and wintergreen leaves or synthesized in a lab. This oil soluble BHA penetrates deep into layers of skin and pores to effectively exfoliate excess oil secretion, sebum formation, blackheads, whiteheads, and any dirt or bacterial accumulation. Besides unclogging your pores, its anti-inflammatory properties help keep acne-causing bacteria at bay.
Glycolic Acid vs Salicylic Acid: What’s More Effective?
Now that you’ve understood how an AHA and BHA present in a face cleanser or serum works, let’s understand whether Glycolic Acid or Salicylic Acid is more effective for your specific skin needs and type.
Glycolic Acid is Best for These Skin Types:
- Skin with or prone to hyperpigmentation
- Aging skin
- Acne-prone skin
Glycolic Acid Benefits:
- Gently exfoliates dead skin cells.
- Reduces intense hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone.
- Diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Retains natural moisture content for a youthful look.
Salicylic Acid is Best for These Skin Types:
- Acne-prone skin
- Oily skin
- Skin with clogged pores
Salicylic Acid Benefits:
- Best for gently fighting against acne and breakouts.
- Cleanses and clears clogged pores of excess oil, sebum, blackheads, whiteheads, etc.
- Does not cause skin inflammation or irritation.
- Controls sebum formation and balances oily skin.
- Keeps acne-causing bacteria or germs away.
The confusing debate of Glycolic Acid vs Salicylic Acid really just concludes to its very super effective benefits it provides to specific skin types. Using chemical exfoliants can go a long way in evening out your skin tone, reducing inflammation, combat early signs of aging, control acne breakouts, and maintain your skin barrier function. You just need to choose the right one for you!
Now that you know all about the different benefits that Glycolic Acid vs Salicylic Acid have for your skin, are you looking for a face serum online containing one of these powerful acids? You’ve found the answer to your question!
At Zayn and Myza, we offer you our Tea tree & Salicylic acid face serum at our online store. Free of the dubious 8 chemicals and composed of plant-based ingredients, this face serum contains the ultimate solution to controlling acne flare-ups and reducing pimples.
With a quick-absorbing Small molecules formula, this face serum is one of the best skincare products :-
- Salicylic acid unclogs pores of blackheads and controls excess oil.
- Tea tree extracts reduce the growth of acne-causing bacteria and inflammation.
- Overall composition deep cleanses and hydrates.
No more pimple-ridden skin every time you decide to step out. If you have acne-prone or oily skin, choose the latter in the Glycolic Acid vs Salicylic Acid debate and say hello to bump-free, clear, and nourished skin!