Glycolic acid is once again at the forefront of a slew of acne-fighting and blemish-banishing products. Yet exactly why is glycolic acid so great at treating acne?
GA’s exfoliative properties help loosen dead, damaged skin cells and make way for fresher cells to emerge.
![Glycolic Acid Super Shield Glycolic Acid Super Shield](https://www.coastsouthwest.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Glycolic-Shield.jpg)
By speeding up this cycle of skin cell turnover, glycolic acid clears out dirt, oil, and debris – and swiftly reveals healthy, acne-free skin.
Frankly, glycolic acid’s abilities are practically a superpower. And if you’re battling blemishes, who would you rather have on your side: Tony Stark, Clark Kent, or a proven superhero when it comes to abolishing acne?
Ten trending products with glycolic acid *KA-POW!*
Check out these ten trending acne treatment products, all featuring the superstar ingredient that’s helping formulators and marketers in the never-ending quest for smashing sales records and winning legions of loyal customers around the globe.
![Karuna Spot+ Melting Boost](https://www.coastsouthwest.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Karuna-261x300.jpg)
- Claridad Glycolic Face Wash – This facial cleanser is being touted as the ultimate acne-busting face wash by skincare and beauty bloggers in 2018. Why the rave reviews? The foaming cleanser contains 4x the amount of glycolic acid as compared to similar over-the-counter products, and helps users curtail their acne woes – fast.
- Vichy Normaderm Anti-Acne Hydrating Lotion – Beloved by bargain beauty hunters, and found in the easy-to-access aisles of Target, this hydrating lotion exfoliates broken-out skin, reduces the appearance of clogged pores, and cuts down on shine with potent amounts of glycolic acid.
- KARUNA Spot+ Melting Boost Sheet Mask – This highly-rated sheet mask is packed with a whopping dose glycolic acid and hailed by consumers for “melting” whiteheads and blackheads away after a single use.
- The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution – This buzzy new Canadian skincare brand, lauded worldwide by tastemakers like UK Cosmopolitan and Harper’s Bazaar, offers skincare solutions in beautifully minimalist packaging, with clinically effective formulations. This particularly oft-praised toner contains an incredible 7% concentration of glycolic acid, making it uber-effective at eradicating breakouts.
- First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads – Prized by consumers and professional makeup artists alike for their ease and efficacy (over 1,500 glowing reviews from Sephora insiders!), these small, GA-containing circular pads help reduce the appearance of blemishes and tighten skin before makeup application.
- DRUNK ELEPHANT T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial™ – winner of the ultra-prestigous Allure Magazine 2017 Beauty Awards, this cult favorite, glycolic acid rich serum works like a facial to rapidly remove damaged skin cells from the face. The result? Healthier, blemish-free skin that has consumers, beauty editors, and social media mavens rhapsodizing about glycolic acid’s breakout busting capabilities.
- PETER THOMAS ROTH AHA/BHA Acne Clearing Gel – This clear, topical gel reduces the appearance of whiteheads, blackheads, and other unsightly blemishes with a formulation heavy on the glycolic acid, and it’s sidekick, salicylic acid, for a one-two acne knockout punch.
- Proactiv Clear Zone Body Pads: Acne isn’t just a problem for faces – body breakouts are a major issue for consumers everywhere too. These swipeable body pads boast a robust glycolic acid concentration that normalizes oily skin, lifts away dirt, and extracts build-up from clogged pores, anywhere on the body.
- GLAMGLOWSUPERMUD® Clearing Treatment – This fun, smearable mud mask, whose fans include Miley Cyrus and Nina Dobrev, minimizes pore size, reduces oiliness, and zaps acne blemishes via a hefty dose of glycolic acid.
- CAUDALIE Glycolic Peel – The beloved skincare brand, founded in the vineyards of France, offers one of the most powerful and effective glycolic acid peels out on the market today. Both a treatment peel and a mask, this Caudalie peel minimizes the size of pores and clears up acne-prone skin with serious quantities of powerhouse glycolic acid.
![Glycolic Peel Mask](https://www.coastsouthwest.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Glycolic-Peel-Mask-221x300.jpg)
Used properly, a product containing glycolic acid can be a godsend against acne and blemishes. Since it has the smallest AHA (alpha-hydroxy acid) molecule it penetrates better than other AHAs or ingredients like salicylic acid, a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid) which, while effective at reducing inflammation and killing bacteria, don’t help with deep-under-the-skin-acne and scarring.
So for super results, consumers are turning to products containing a super ingredient: glycolic acid.