When looking into different skincare products, one of the key ingredients in a skincare routine or treatment is acid. Different acids address different skin concerns and making the right selection can significantly impact your clients’ results. Two top-performing acids you will want to include in your treatment room are glycolic acid and salicylic acid.
WHAT IS GLYCOLIC ACID?
Glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) derived from sugar cane, is renowned for its ability to exfoliate the outermost layer of skin to unveil a brighter and smoother complexion underneath. Glycolic acid can also stimulate collagen production, which helps in reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over time.
THE BENEFITS OF GLYCOLIC ACID
If your goal is to combat signs of aging and achieve more radiant skin for your clients, glycolic acid is an excellent choice. Here’s why:
- Cell Turnover: Glycolic acid promotes cell turnover, which effectively reduces the appearance of discoloration, age spots and hyperpigmentation. Increased cell turnover also brightens the skin, which is important for any skincare routine or in-clinic treatment.
- Moisture Restoration: Glycolic acid can help restore the skin’s natural moisture levels, improving the overall texture and tone. Products that support the skin’s natural moisturizing factor, like our Beta Gel, use glycolic acid to accelerate cell renewal and keep skin moisturized.
- Suitable for Sensitive Skin: It’s gentle enough for sensitive skin, which makes it suitable for clients whose skin cannot tolerate harsher treatments. Our Resurfacing Night Cream gives your clients the benefits of glycolic acid without irritation.
WHEN TO USE GLYCOLIC ACID
Enhance your aesthetician services by introducing glycolic acid into your treatments and home care regimens in the following situations:
- Facial Peels: Glycolic peels are one of the most popular forms of chemical exfoliation. A glycolic acid peel, like our Professional Exfoliator with 30% AHAs, can help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and age spots in just a few treatments.
- Dull Skin: If your clients’ skin has lost its natural glow due to buildup, glycolic acid can help to reduce buildup and restore brightness. With our Glycolic Facial Cleanser, you and your client can enjoy brighter skin at home.
- Hyperpigmentation: For clients’ dealing with hyperpigmentation, glycolic acid is the ideal choice. It helps to even out blotchy skin tones by removing dead cells from the surface of the skin.
Rather than scrubbing the skin, the chemical makeup of an AHA like glycolic acid causes the dead skin cells to detach and slough away. This leaves the skin softer and clearer than before.
The 15% glycolic acid in Beta Gel lightens pigmented skin as it accelerates skin renewal, making it an excellent addition for your client’s home care regimen.
WHAT IS SALICYLIC ACID?
Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) derived from willow bark. It has a long history of use in skincare, especially for clients with acne-prone skin. Salicylic acid excels at unclogging pores, reducing acne and preventing future breakouts.
Additionally, it possesses anti-inflammatory properties: soothing to the skin as it exfoliates by removing dead skin cells and promoting a healthier complexion.
THE BENEFITS OF SALICYLIC ACID
Salicylic acid products are a great choice for your clients with oily skin and acne concerns. Here’s why:
- Gentle Exfoliation: Salicylic acid is a gentle exfoliant that won't overly dry out the skin, which makes it suitable for sensitive and delicate skin types. Our Exfoliating Cleanser is specifically designed for acne-prone skin and formulated with salicylic acid to unclog pores, reduce redness and prevent breakouts.
- Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Salicylic acid's anti-inflammatory properties help reduce redness and puffiness associated with breakouts.
- Oil Solubility: Being oil-soluble, salicylic acid effectively penetrates pores to unclog them from dirt and absorb excess oil. Try our Purifying Cleanser, which contains salicylic acid to help reduce the appearance of acne lesions and blackheads.
WHEN TO USE SALICYLIC ACID
Improve your clients’ skincare treatments by recommending salicylic acid products in the following scenarios:
- During a Breakout: Salicylic acid is a valuable tool in treating acne by unclogging pores and soothing inflammation. With Astringent No. 5, you can take advantage of its anti-bacterial and exfoliating properties to treat and prevent acne.
While you can suggest at-home products with salicylic acid, an in-clinic peel will help your clients fight blackheads and acne faster, leaving their skin clearer and more even.
- Preventive Care: Even when the skin is clear, salicylic acid keeps pores free of oil and dead skin cells, which serves to prevent future breakouts. Offer your clients a chemical peel using Professional Solution with 20% Salicylic Acid to maintain a clear, vibrant complexion.
- Oily Skin Control: For clients with naturally oily skin, a skincare routine with salicylic acid can help regulate oil production and give the skin a smoother, less shiny appearance. Our Serious Action Masque uses salicylic acid to dramatically reduce oil and acne lesions.
THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SALICYLIC ACID AND GLYCOLIC ACID
When choosing between salicylic acid products and glycolic acid products for your clients, both acids can yield radiant skin. However, several key differences should inform your recommendations:
- Glycolic acid is a smaller molecule and can penetrate deeper into the skin, which provides excellent results.
- Salicylic acid, because of its chemical makeup as a lipophilic, is attracted to oil. This means it will penetrate deep into oily pores and cleanse your clients’ skin.
- Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), which means it’s attracted to water and promotes moisture for normal to dry skin.
- On the other hand, salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA), which means it’s attracted to and absorbs oil. This makes it great for acne-prone or excessively oily skin.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT ACID FOR YOUR CLIENT’S SKIN
Remember, each client’s skin type is unique, so tailor their skincare routine and in-clinic treatments accordingly. Salicylic acid products are often preferred for oily and acne-prone skin, while glycolic acid is more suitable for normal to dry skin types.
Salicylic acid is a powerhouse when it comes to reducing acne and redness. It dives deep into the pores, dissolving excess sebum and dead skin cells to prevent clogged pores and breakouts. Its anti-inflammatory properties also calm redness and irritation caused by acne.
Glycolic acid takes a gentler approach; it exfoliates the skin's surface by detaching dead cells and speeding up cell turnover. This can help fade acne scars and hyperpigmentation over time. While it may not be as targeted as salicylic acid for acne, glycolic acid contributes to a clearer, more even complexion that's less prone to future breakouts.
If you’re worried about making the right choice for your clients, GlyMed can help! With our remote and in-person classes, online resources and more, you can dive deep into skincare ingredients and find what works best for your clients.
Take a look at our calendar to find an educational event that works for you and feel prepared to offer your clients the skincare transformations they’re looking for.