Glycolic acid is a water-soluble alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) made from sugar cane. It is one of the most widely used AHAs in skincare products.

AHAs are natural acids that come from plants. They consist of tiny molecules that are very easy for your skin to absorb. This makes them ideal for smoothing fine lines, improving skin texture, and other anti-aging uses.

Glycolic acid is a very popular treatment for many reasons, including:1

Anti-aging: It smooths fine wrinkles and improves the skin’s tone and texture.
Hydration: It plumps the skin and prevents it from getting dry.
Sun damage: It fades dark patches caused by sun damage and protects collagen from the sun.
Complexion: It brightens the skin when used regularly.
Exfoliation: It prevents ingrown hairs and makes pores appear smaller by helping the skin shed dead skin cells.
Acne: It cleans out pores to prevent comedones, blackheads, and inflamed breakouts.