If you have ever looked at your reflection in the mirror and seen really small pimples on your forehead, cheeks, or chin that you can’t get rid of, then you are not the only one. Skin texture, in particular, or closed comedones, is one of the most irritating problems in skin care. They are quite resistant to treatment and are hardly visible in pictures. This is the very problem I was facing for years. On my forehead, cheeks, and chin, there used to appear small bumps all the time, which no skincare products I tried ever succeeded in removing.

Interestingly, the ingredient that ultimately improved my complexion was the one that I had always been steering clear of: glycolic acid.

Even a brief glimpse at the world of skincare ingredients online is enough for glycolic acid to scare most. It is an AHA, a euphemism for alpha hydroxy acids, the chemical exfoliants that are known for their ability to get rid of dead skin cells. The word acid, even without explanation, is the likely reason many people feel scared. This is even more true if you are someone with sensitive or reactive skin.

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I stayed away from it, thinking that it would either break down my skin barrier or make my face irritated and red. With so many calls about the dangers of over-exfoliation coming from various skincare communities, I thought that it was wiser to keep away.

The story is quite different now. I came upon a bottle of glycolic acid toner in my vanity, a product that had been left there for some time. In a moment, I decided to give it a try.

What happened next was truly unexpected. After the first day of applying the toner, the rough part of my skin on the forehead was visibly smoother. Those minute closed comedones hidden under my skin for a long time were getting leveled. It wasn’t magic. It was science.

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Glycolic acid acts by breaking the bonding agents that link dead skin cells on the skin surface in a cobweb-like fashion. When dead cells get eliminated, pores get less clogged, and that is what leads to closed comedones and skin roughness.

Since glycolic acid has a smaller molecular size than other AHAs, it can enter the skin more deeply. That is why it can exfoliate even the lower depths of the pore, which is good for the removal of bumps and non-uniform skin texture.

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Textured skin can be a physical sign of clogged pores. Typically, inside the pores lie dead skin cells, oil, and dirt that result in tiny raised bumps that do not turn into pimples but also do not go away.

The first time it acts on the skin is by increasing cell turnover, which leads to the surface of the skin being replenished with new cells. The second time, it works towards ensuring that pores remain unclogged by getting rid of the dead skin layer that can lead to the problem if not removed. The third time, through regular application, it breaks down the uneven skin texture from the top, thus giving the overall skin a more polished and classy look.

Eventual use can also aid in ameliorating a lackluster skin and non-uniform color, which is the reason why skin specialists often suggest this to tackle several skin issues.

Of course, the advantages of glycolic acid are many, but it still has to be approached carefully. Firstly, it is very important to start gradually. In fact, a majority of dermatologists recommend that you use it only two to three times per week initially, particularly if your skin is not accustomed to chemical exfoliation.

Moreover, it is vitally important to combine it with a great moisturizer and daily sunscreen, as exfoliating acids can lead to increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight.

Glycolic acid was the ingredient that finally brought about a visible change for me after years of fighting with textured skin, and I am so glad I tried it.

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The post Glycolic Acid Is A Godsend For Textured Skin And How first appeared on MissMalini.