Glycolic acid is the smallest alpha-hydroxy acid derived from sugar cane and is essentially a fruit acid. This colorless, odorless, and hygroscopic crystalline solid is highly soluble in water. It is used in in food processing as a flavoring agent and as a preservative, and in the pharmaceutical industry as a skin care agent. Due to its excellent capability to penetrate skin, glycolic acid finds applications in skin care products, most often as a chemical peel performed by a dermatologist, plastic surgeon or licensed aesthetician. It is used to improve the skin's appearance and texture. It may reduce wrinkles, acne scarring, hyperpigmentation and improve many otherskin conditions, including actinic keratosis, hyperkeratosis, and seborrheic keratosis. Glycolic acid works as an exfoliant. Once applied, glycolic acid reacts with the upper layer of the epidermis, weakening the binding properties of the lipids that hold the dead skin cells together. By removing that top layer of skin, the newer (healthier) skin below the acne layer can be revealed, resulting in less oily and acne-prone skin.
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