Glycolic vs Lactic vs Salicylic Acid: Choosing an Exfoliating Acid by Skin Type

The video has millions of views: a woman dabs an exfoliating toner under her arms, declares her deodorant obsolete, and the comments fill with people asking whether they can do the same on their scalp, their feet, their face twice a day. As of early 2026, that is the shape of the glycolic acid conversation online, a mix of genuine curiosity and confident advice from people who have never read a safety label.

The underlying question is a good one. Three acids dominate the exfoliation aisle: glycolic, lactic and salicylic. They sit side by side in similar bottles, yet they behave differently on skin, and the wrong one on the wrong face produces stinging, flaking and dark marks that take months to fade. Choosing well is mostly a matter of matching chemistry to skin type.

What follows is the version a dermatology clinic would give you if it had an hour: what each acid does, what the trials show, and where the viral claims run ahead of the evidence.

What changed recently in the glycolic acid conversation

Nothing about the molecules has changed. Glycolic acid has been used in dermatology since the early 1990s, and salicylic acid appears in over-the-counter acne and wart products regulated as medicines. What shifted is who is talking about them and how.

Three currents pushed the topic into trending territory. First, short-form video normalized applying face acids to the underarms, scalp and body, a use those products were never studied for. Second, so-called “acid layering” routines, in which people stack an exfoliating toner, a vitamin C serum and a retinoid on the same night, spread faster than the irritation reports that followed them. Third, mainstream medical publishers responded with plain-language explainers; a 2023 patient-education article from a major US health system on glycolic acid, cited below, is now one of the most-read pages on the ingredient.

The regulatory backdrop is older but still governs the bottles on shelves. In the United States, leave-on alpha-hydroxy acid products carry a sunburn-alert statement because an expert safety panel concluded, based on human volunteer studies, that these acids increase the skin’s sensitivity to ultraviolet light during use and for about a week after stopping. Salicylic acid, meanwhile, is listed as an active ingredient in the over-the-counter acne monograph, which is why its labels read like medicine labels: they are.

One more recent change matters for readers with darker skin. Dermatology guidance has increasingly emphasized that post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, the dark mark left behind after skin inflammation, is a more common consequence of over-exfoliation in people with more melanin, and that acid choice and strength should reflect that. The trend cycle rarely mentions it.

What does glycolic acid do to your skin?

Glycolic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid, or AHA, a small water-soluble acid derived originally from sugar cane. Its defining feature is size. With a molecular weight of roughly 76 grams per mole, it is the smallest of the commonly used skin acids, which lets it move through the outermost layer of skin faster than lactic acid (about 90) or salicylic acid (about 138).

That outer layer is the stratum corneum, a stack of dead, flattened cells held together by protein bridges. In young adult skin the whole stack replaces itself in roughly four weeks; the process slows with age and after sun damage, so dead cells linger and light scatters off a rough surface, which we read as dullness. Glycolic acid weakens those protein bridges, and the top cells release sooner. The effect is chemical exfoliation: no scrubbing, just an accelerated version of what skin already does.

At the concentrations dermatologists use in office peels, the acid also reaches the living epidermis below and triggers a repair response. Laboratory and small clinical studies have measured thicker viable epidermis, more evenly distributed melanin and increased collagen production after repeated glycolic treatment. That is the basis for its use in fine lines, sun-related mottling and the flat brown marks left by acne.

What glycolic acid does not do is shrink pores, kill bacteria or reach into an oil-filled follicle. It is water-loving and stays out of oil, which is exactly why it is often the wrong first choice for a face with active blackheads. It shines on skin that is essentially healthy but rough, uneven or slow to renew, and it is the acid with the longest clinical track record for those complaints.

How is lactic acid different from glycolic acid?

Lactic acid is also an alpha-hydroxy acid, so it loosens dead cells by the same mechanism. The difference is temperament. Its slightly larger molecule penetrates more slowly, which in practice means less sting and a gentler curve of exfoliation over weeks rather than days.

It has a second job that glycolic acid lacks. Lactic acid is a humectant, a substance that draws water into the skin, and it is a natural component of the skin’s own “natural moisturizing factor,” the blend of small molecules that keeps the outer layer hydrated and flexible. Studies dating back to the 1990s found that lactic acid formulations increased the skin’s production of ceramides, the fatty molecules that seal the barrier, and improved measured barrier function rather than merely stripping the surface. Few exfoliants can claim to leave skin more water-tight than they found it.

That profile makes lactic acid the usual recommendation for dry, mature or sensitive-leaning skin, for people who are new to exfoliation, and for anyone who wants to combine mild exfoliation with moisturization on body skin prone to rough bumps. It is also the acid many dermatologists reach for first in patients with darker skin tones, because slower, gentler exfoliation carries less risk of the inflammation that leads to dark marks.

The trade-off is speed. If your goal is visible smoothing of sun-damaged texture or fading of stubborn discoloration, lactic acid will get there, but more slowly, and some people never feel it does enough. It is a first step, not a lesser one. Skin that tolerates it comfortably for a few months has earned the right to try glycolic acid; skin that stings even at this stage is telling you something worth hearing.

What does salicylic acid do that glycolic and lactic acid cannot?

Salicylic acid belongs to a different family. It is a beta-hydroxy acid, or BHA, and, unlike the AHAs, it dissolves in oil rather than water. That single property changes everything about where it goes.

Acne begins when a pore fills with a plug of dead cells and sebum, the skin’s natural oil; that plug is a comedone, the medical term for a blackhead or whitehead. Water-soluble acids slide over the oily opening. Salicylic acid dissolves into it, loosens the plug from the inside and lets the follicle drain. It is also mildly anti-inflammatory, unsurprising given that it is a close chemical relative of aspirin, and it is a keratolytic, meaning it softens and sheds thickened keratin. That is why the same molecule turns up in products for dandruff, corns, calluses, warts and the rough patches of psoriasis, uses described in the MedlinePlus entry cited below.

Because it is regulated as a medicine in many of these forms, salicylic acid carries warnings the cosmetic acids do not. People allergic to aspirin should avoid it. It should not be applied over large areas of the body or under occlusive dressings without medical advice, since enough can be absorbed through the skin to matter. Products for children and for anyone with a viral illness deserve a conversation with a pharmacist or clinician first.

For the right skin, oily, congested, prone to blackheads and small breakouts, salicylic acid is the most sensible of the three. It is less effective than glycolic acid on surface discoloration and does nothing for hydration, so dry-skinned people who use it “just in case” often end up tight and flaky without a single unclogged pore to show for it. Match the acid to the problem.

Which exfoliating acid is right for your skin type?

Skin type is a rough sorting tool, not a diagnosis, but it remains the most useful way to narrow the field. Think of the choice as three questions: how oily is the skin, how reactive is it, and how much melanin does it carry.

Skin type or concern	Usual first choice	Why	Watch for
Oily, blackheads, small breakouts	Salicylic acid	Oil-soluble; reaches inside the pore	Dryness if overused; aspirin allergy
Normal or combination, dull, uneven tone	Glycolic acid	Smallest AHA; fastest surface renewal	Stinging; sun sensitivity
Dry, mature or easily irritated	Lactic acid	Gentle AHA that also holds water	Slower results
Darker skin tones (higher melanin)	Lactic acid, then cautious glycolic acid	Lower inflammation risk	Post-inflammatory dark marks
Rosacea, eczema, broken barrier	Often none	Barrier already compromised	Flushing, burning; ask a clinician

A few nuances the table cannot hold. Combination skin often does best with salicylic acid on the oily central panel and nothing, or lactic acid, on the drier cheeks; there is no rule that one bottle must cover the whole face. Sensitive skin is not the same as dry skin: some oily faces sting at everything, and for them a low-key salicylic wash that rinses off may be more comfortable than any leave-on acid.

Melanin-rich skin deserves its own line because the stakes differ. The acids work identically, but any irritation is more likely to leave a brown mark that outlasts the original problem by months. Dermatologists who treat patients with darker skin tend to favor gentler AHAs, slower schedules and rigorous sun protection, and they save stronger glycolic treatments for supervised settings.

Can I use glycolic acid every day?

Some people can. Most should not start that way, and the label on the bottle is not a reliable guide, since many are written to sell rather than to pace.

The physiological argument is straightforward. Chemical exfoliation removes cells the skin was about to shed anyway, plus a few it was not. Used occasionally, the outer layer keeps up. Used daily on skin that renews only every four to six weeks, the removal can outpace replacement, and the barrier thins. The symptoms are familiar to anyone who has overdone it: a tight, shiny look, stinging when water touches the face, patches of flaking beside patches of oiliness, and a sudden inability to tolerate products that used to feel like nothing. Clinicians call this a compromised barrier; social media calls it “over-exfoliated,” and both are right.

A sensible pattern, endorsed in patient guidance from major health systems, is to begin with one or two applications a week in the evening, hold there for several weeks, and increase only if the skin stays calm. Many people plateau at two or three nights weekly and never need more. Daily use is reasonable for a small group: oily, resilient skin using a rinse-off product, or skin that has been gradually acclimatized over months. Even then, the smart move is to skip the acid on nights when the skin feels anything other than normal.

Frequency also depends on what else is in the routine. A prescription retinoid, a benzoyl peroxide wash and a glycolic toner are each defensible alone; together, every day, they are a recipe for a raw face. If a doctor has prescribed an acne or anti-aging medicine, the schedule for adding any exfoliating acid belongs to that prescriber, not to a comment thread.

What should you never mix with glycolic acid?

The honest answer is that very little is chemically dangerous to combine; the real problem is cumulative irritation. Still, some pairings deserve a clear warning.

Prescription retinoids such as tretinoin, adapalene and tazarotene are the first. Retinoids also speed up cell turnover, and they thin the outer layer during the adjustment period. Adding glycolic acid on the same night multiplies peeling and redness without adding benefit, and dermatologists generally advise against layering the two unless a prescriber has set up an alternating schedule. Anyone taking oral isotretinoin should avoid exfoliating acids altogether during treatment and for a period afterward; the skin is too fragile, and the medicine’s own labeling warns against procedures like peels.

Other exfoliating acids are the second category. Glycolic plus salicylic plus a lactic body lotion is three exfoliants, not a “routine.” Pick one per session. Physical scrubs and cleansing brushes fall into the same bucket.

Benzoyl peroxide, the workhorse of acne treatment, does not react with glycolic acid, but both dry the skin, so pairing them daily often ends in flaking. Vitamin C in its pure form, ascorbic acid, is itself formulated at a low pH; the two do not cancel each other out, as is often claimed, but two low-pH products in a row can sting. Using one in the morning and the other at night is the usual workaround.

Skin that is sunburned, waxed, shaved within the past day, or recovering from a procedure is the last item on the list, and the underarm-deodorant trend runs straight into it. Freshly shaved skin has microscopic breaks, and an acid applied there tends to burn. Whatever the video says, that sting is not “the product working.”

What are the bad side effects of glycolic acid and other exfoliating acids?

Most reactions are predictable and dose-related: the more acid, the stronger the formula and the more often it is applied, the more likely the skin protests. Knowing the spectrum helps you tell a normal adjustment from a problem.

Common and usually mild: transient tingling or warmth for a minute or two after application, slight pinkness, some flaking in the first weeks, and increased dryness. These typically fade as the skin adjusts or once frequency drops.

Less common and worth acting on: persistent redness that lasts hours, a raw or shiny appearance, stinging from plain water or moisturizer, small red bumps, or cracks at the corners of the nose and mouth. This is barrier damage. The remedy is stopping all actives, moisturizing plainly and waiting, which can take two to four weeks.

Uncommon but serious: blistering, crusting, weeping, or a chemical burn, which can follow a leave-on product applied too generously, left under a mask or bandage, or used on broken skin. Salicylic acid adds a specific risk: with large-area use, particularly on inflamed or thin skin and in children, enough can be absorbed to cause ringing in the ears, dizziness, nausea or rapid breathing, the signs of salicylate toxicity described in drug references. That is rare with normal facial use and is the reason the product label sets limits.

The slow-motion side effect is pigment change. In lighter skin, irritation fades to nothing; in darker skin, it can fade to brown, and occasionally to lighter patches. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from an acid meant to fade dark marks is a cruel irony that dermatologists see regularly, and it is largely preventable by choosing a gentler acid, going slowly and wearing sunscreen without exception.

Exfoliation and sun sensitivity: why sunscreen is not optional

Every exfoliating acid thins the dead-cell layer that scatters and absorbs some ultraviolet light before it reaches living cells. That is the point of exfoliation, and it is also why the skin burns faster while you use these products.

The evidence here is unusually direct. Human volunteer studies conducted for US regulators in the late 1990s and early 2000s applied glycolic acid to one area of skin and a placebo cream to another, then measured how much UV exposure produced redness. Treated skin burned at lower doses and showed more UV-induced cell damage on biopsy. The effect appeared within weeks of daily use and resolved about a week after stopping. Those findings are the basis for the sunburn-alert statement now required on leave-on AHA products in the United States, and the reason patient-education pages from major health systems say the same thing in plainer words.

Salicylic acid was not part of that particular testing program, but it removes the same dead cells, and clinical experience treats it as carrying the same risk. Lactic acid, being an AHA, is covered by the same guidance.

What this means in practice is less dramatic than it sounds. A broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30 every morning, reapplied if you are outdoors, is the recommendation from dermatology bodies for everyone; it simply becomes non-negotiable during exfoliation. Applying acids in the evening reduces the window of freshly exfoliated skin meeting midday sun. People who cannot commit to daily sunscreen, whether from habit or occupation, should think hard before adding an exfoliating acid at all, because the combination of thinner skin and unfiltered UV is a reliable route to more discoloration, not less. Fading sun damage with an acid while acquiring new sun damage is running on a treadmill.

What the evidence actually says about glycolic, lactic and salicylic acid

Grading the evidence matters because these products are sold with equal confidence for claims that rest on very unequal science.

Strongest: salicylic acid for mild acne. It is an approved over-the-counter acne ingredient on the basis of controlled trials, and randomized comparisons of salicylic and glycolic peels for acne have found both reduce lesion counts, with salicylic acid often better tolerated in oily skin. Even so, acne guidelines from bodies such as the NHS rank benzoyl peroxide, topical retinoids and, where needed, prescription medicines above any exfoliating acid. Salicylic acid is a reasonable adjunct, not a first-line treatment for anything beyond the mildest breakouts.

Moderate: glycolic acid for photoaging and hyperpigmentation. Multiple small randomized and split-face trials, in which one half of the face receives treatment and the other serves as control, show measurable improvement in fine lines, texture and melasma or acne marks after a series of glycolic peels. Sample sizes are small, follow-up is short, and many trials come from single centers. The direction of effect is consistent; the magnitude is modest and variable.

Moderate for barrier, weaker for cosmetic claims: lactic acid. Controlled studies document increased ceramide production and improved barrier measures. Its anti-aging reputation rests mostly on extrapolation from glycolic acid data plus expert opinion.

Weak to absent: acids for pore size, for “detoxifying” skin, for scalp health in people without a diagnosed condition, and for underarm odor. The deodorant claim has a plausible mechanism, since lowering skin pH may discourage odor-causing bacteria, but no controlled trial has tested it, and the irritation reports are real. Anything in this last group is opinion dressed as fact, however many views it has.

Common myths about glycolic acid, lactic acid and salicylic acid

“If it stings, it’s working.” Brief tingling is common and harmless. Sustained burning is the skin’s pain response to injury. Efficacy comes from steady cell turnover over weeks, not from a nightly sting, and the people who tolerate acids best long-term are usually the ones who never chased that sensation.

“Glycolic acid shrinks pores.” Pore size is set by genetics and follicle structure. Removing the dead-cell rim around a pore can make it look tidier, and clearing a plug can make it look smaller, but neither changes its size. Salicylic acid does the second job better than glycolic acid anyway.

“Natural fruit acids are gentler than lab-made ones.” Glycolic acid is glycolic acid regardless of whether it began as sugar cane or as a synthetic reaction. What governs gentleness is concentration, pH and formulation, none of which the word “natural” tells you.

“Glycolic acid works as a deodorant, so it’s safe for the whole body.” Underarm skin is thin, folded, frequently shaved and warmer than the face. Acid formulas designed for facial skin were not tested there, and clinicians have reported burns and dark patches from the trend. Nothing about a plausible odor mechanism makes the skin more resilient.

“You cannot use vitamin C and acids in the same routine.” They coexist in many well-studied formulas. The concern is stacking irritants, which is a scheduling problem, not a chemistry problem.

“Acids remove acne scars.” Flat brown or red marks fade with exfoliation and time. Depressed or pitted scars involve lost collagen deep in the dermis, well below where over-the-counter acids reach, and require a dermatologist’s procedures.

“More often equals faster results.” Faster barrier damage, yes. The renewal cycle has a floor, and pushing past it costs more than it gains.

Who should skip exfoliating acids, or ask first

Some skin, and some circumstances, make the question of which acid moot. The better question is whether any acid belongs in the routine right now.

People with active eczema, rosacea flares, seborrheic dermatitis on the face, or any open or weeping skin should hold off. Their barrier is already impaired; exfoliating it further worsens burning and can trigger a flare that takes weeks to settle. Once the condition is controlled, a clinician may reintroduce a gentle acid, but that is a supervised decision.

Anyone on prescription acne or anti-aging therapy, oral isotretinoin, topical retinoids or prescription-strength azelaic acid or hydroquinone, should treat exfoliating acids as a question for the prescriber rather than a free add-on. These medicines already alter turnover or pigment; stacking an exfoliant can amplify side effects without improving results.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding call for a conversation, not a blanket ban. Glycolic and lactic acid in cosmetic leave-on products are generally regarded as low-concern by clinicians because absorption is minimal. Salicylic acid is more nuanced: high-dose oral salicylates are avoided in pregnancy, and although small-area topical use is widely considered acceptable, large-area application or professional peels usually are not. The right answer depends on the product, the area and the individual, and an obstetric provider or dermatologist is the person to give it.

People with a known aspirin or salicylate allergy should avoid salicylic acid entirely. Children and teenagers should not use adult exfoliating products without guidance; salicylic acid in particular carries absorption cautions for young children. And anyone who has recently had a facial procedure, laser, waxing or a sunburn should wait until the skin is fully healed before touching an acid, however mild.

Chemical peels versus at-home exfoliating acids: what really differs

The same three molecules appear in a dermatologist’s peel tray and in a drugstore toner. What separates them is strength, pH, contact time and, above all, supervision.

Over-the-counter leave-on products are formulated within limits an expert safety panel reviewed, at a pH high enough that the acid works slowly and can stay on the skin overnight. Professional peels use higher concentrations at lower pH, applied for a timed number of minutes and then neutralized or removed. A light glycolic or salicylic peel in a clinic removes the outer epidermis in one visit and produces a few days of pinkness and flaking; medium and deep peels use different agents entirely, reach the dermis, and carry real recovery time and risk, as the Mayo Clinic procedure overview cited below describes.

Results follow the same gradient. A single light peel does roughly what several weeks of consistent home use achieves, and a series of light peels can shift discoloration or texture that a toner never will. The trade-off is that higher strength concentrates the risks: burns, infection, prolonged redness and, in darker skin, pigment change are more likely with peels than with home products, which is why clinicians examine the skin, ask about medicines and sometimes prepare it with gentler agents for weeks beforehand.

The middle ground, “professional-strength” acids sold online for home use, is where people get hurt. Those products deliver peel-level exposure without the timing, neutralization or judgment that make peels safe. Anyone tempted by them has, by definition, outgrown what home exfoliation can offer, and the sensible next step is an appointment, not a stronger bottle. A clinician can also confirm that the target is something exfoliation treats at all; melasma, for instance, often needs a different plan.

When to see a doctor about exfoliating acids

Most acid reactions are self-limited and settle within days of stopping. A minority signal something that needs a clinician’s eyes, and speed matters for a few of them.

Seek medical care promptly if you notice any of the following:

• Blistering, weeping, crusting or areas that look white or gray after application, which suggest a chemical burn.
• Swelling of the face, lips or eyelids, hives, or difficulty breathing, which can indicate an allergic reaction, particularly to salicylic acid in someone with aspirin sensitivity.
• Ringing in the ears, dizziness, nausea, confusion or unusually rapid breathing after using salicylic acid over a large area or under a dressing; these are signs of salicylate absorption and warrant urgent assessment.
• Redness, pain or pus spreading beyond where the product was applied, which may mean infection of damaged skin.
• New dark or light patches that persist more than a few weeks after stopping the product, especially in darker skin.
• Eye exposure with persistent pain or vision change after rinsing.

Make a routine appointment if irritation keeps returning every time you reintroduce an acid, if acne is inflamed, cystic or leaving scars, if discoloration is not budging after three months of careful use and sun protection, or if you are unsure whether a patch of rough or discolored skin is something an acid should touch at all. Some changes that look like sun damage or a stubborn dark spot are conditions that need diagnosis first.

If you take any prescription skin medicine, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a chronic skin condition, every decision about adding, pausing or combining exfoliating acids should be made with the clinician who manages your care. They know your history; the label does not.

Frequently asked questions

What does glycolic acid do to your skin?

Glycolic acid loosens the protein bridges that hold dead cells to the skin’s surface, so they shed sooner and the skin looks smoother and brighter. Because it is the smallest alpha-hydroxy acid, it penetrates quickly; at professional strengths it also stimulates the living epidermis, and small trials show thicker epidermis, more even melanin distribution and increased collagen. It does not unclog oily pores, shrink them or kill bacteria.

Can I use glycolic acid every day?

Some resilient, oily skin can, but most people should start at one or two evenings a week and increase only if the skin stays calm. Skin renews roughly every four to six weeks, and daily exfoliation can outpace that, thinning the barrier and causing tightness, stinging and flaking. If you use a prescription retinoid or acne medicine, ask the prescriber before adding any acid schedule.

What are the bad side effects of glycolic acid?

The most common are stinging, redness, dryness and flaking, which usually ease as skin adjusts or frequency drops. Overuse can damage the barrier, producing raw, shiny skin that stings from water. Rarely, heavy application or use on broken skin causes blistering or a chemical burn. In darker skin, irritation may leave brown marks lasting months. All exfoliating acids increase sunburn risk during use and about a week afterward.

What should you never mix with glycolic acid?

Avoid layering it with prescription retinoids, other exfoliating acids, physical scrubs, or applying it to freshly shaved, waxed, sunburned or broken skin. People taking oral isotretinoin should not use exfoliating acids at all. Benzoyl peroxide and vitamin C are not chemically incompatible, but combining several drying or low-pH products in one routine multiplies irritation; using them at different times of day is the common workaround.

Is glycolic acid or salicylic acid better for acne?

Salicylic acid is generally the better choice for acne because it dissolves in oil and reaches inside clogged pores, and it is an approved over-the-counter acne ingredient. Randomized comparisons of salicylic and glycolic peels found both reduce lesions, with salicylic often better tolerated in oily skin. Glycolic acid is more useful for the flat dark marks acne leaves behind. Inflamed or scarring acne needs a clinician’s plan rather than either acid.

Is lactic acid good for sensitive skin?

Lactic acid is usually the gentlest of the three exfoliating acids for sensitive or dry skin, because its larger molecule penetrates more slowly and it draws water into the skin. Controlled studies found it improved barrier function and increased ceramide production. It is not risk-free: skin with active rosacea, eczema or a damaged barrier may still sting, and those conditions are better discussed with a clinician before any exfoliation.

Does glycolic acid work as a deodorant?

There is no controlled trial testing it. The mechanism is plausible, since lowering skin pH may discourage odor-causing bacteria, but underarm skin is thin, folded and frequently shaved, and facial acid products were never studied there. Clinicians have reported burns and dark patches from the trend. The viral claim is opinion, not evidence, and the irritation risk is real.

Can I use exfoliating acids with a retinoid like tretinoin?

Not on the same night without guidance. Retinoids already speed cell turnover and thin the outer layer during adjustment, and adding an exfoliating acid multiplies peeling and redness without added benefit. Some dermatologists set up alternating schedules once skin has adapted, but that decision belongs to the prescriber. Anyone taking oral isotretinoin should avoid exfoliating acids and peels during treatment and for a period afterward.

Which exfoliating acid is safest for darker skin tones?

Lactic acid is the usual starting point, because gentler, slower exfoliation carries less risk of the inflammation that leads to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, a common consequence of over-exfoliation in melanin-rich skin. Glycolic and salicylic acid can be used successfully, but with conservative frequency, strict daily sunscreen and, for stronger treatments, professional supervision. Persistent new dark or light patches after stopping a product warrant a dermatologist’s assessment.

How does chemical exfoliation differ from scrubbing?

Scrubs and brushes remove dead cells mechanically by friction, which is uneven and can create micro-tears, especially on thin or acne-prone skin. Chemical exfoliation with glycolic, lactic or salicylic acid dissolves the bonds between dead cells so they release on their own, producing more uniform results with less abrasion. Combining both in one routine is a common cause of barrier damage; most clinicians advise choosing one method.

References

• MedlinePlus: Salicylic Acid Topical
• NHS: Acne: Treatment
• PubMed (NIH): Applications of hydroxy acids: classification, mechanisms, and photoactivity

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a qualified doctor about your individual situation.