04/24/2026
GLYCOLIC ACID is commonly found in over the counter skincare with 10% or less potency. Professional peels can contain 20%-70% glycolic acid. These peels can have a wide range of pH which can also alter how effective they are. Depending on the pH sometimes a 20% is even more effective than a 70% glycolic acid. Glycolic acid is amongst the most dangerous acids for your skin barrier because it's molecular structure is the smallest (which means it penetrates the deepest). So how do these peels "work"? They break down "dead" skin cells to exfoliate the skin and clean out pores. "Dead" skin cells are in fact dead, but they are nonetheless important for healthy skin. They provide protection for immature cells beneath them. They are NEEDED and a very necessary part of the skin barrier defense system. Removing too many of them will leave your skin inflamed, sensitized, and in survival mode until those cells can be replaced which can take weeks. Removing them creates a direct pathway to damaging your lipids which are absolutely crucial for skin health.
Guess what else glycolic acid is used for? To clean out cement trucks. Yup. You heard me right. 50%+ glycolic acid is used to break down HARDENED CONCRETE and that's the same ingredient (albeit in different percentages and levels of pH) you're putting on your FACE.
"This acidic cleaning solution, primarily composed of glycolic acid (50%-60% by weight), effectively breaks down and removes hardened concrete from tools, trucks, scaffolding, and other hard surfaces. " (Source: ecolink.com)
🛑 STOP USING GLYCOLIC ACID ON YOUR SKIN!
