The theory that glycolic acid is better than retinol
The theory of skin care
, glycolic acid and retinol are often the focus of public debate. This article details the advantages of glycolic acid over retinol to illustrate its superiority in skin care.

Glycolic acid is a kind of fruit acid, which has a small molecule and can quickly penetrate the surface of the skin and reach the stratum corneum. Its exfoliation power can make old exfoliation loosen and fall off, making the skin return to a smooth and delicate state. Compared with retinol, glycolic acid exfoliation is more gentle and rarely causes skin overreaction. Although retinol also has the ability to exfoliate, it is strong in nature. Those with sensitive skin can easily cause redness, desquamation, tingling, etc. Glycolic acid can avoid this risk and is suitable for more skin types. Even for sensitive skin, it can be tolerated after gradual use.

Furthermore, glycolic acid has an extraordinary effect on promoting skin metabolism. It can stimulate cell renewal, accelerate the production of collagen and elastic fibers, and make the skin firm and elastic. Although retinol can also promote metabolism, glycolic acid has a more comprehensive effect. Glycolic acid can not only act on the epidermis, but also stimulate the fibroblasts of the dermis, causing it to secrete more collagen and elastic fibers, strengthening the skin structure. Although retinol focuses on epidermal cell renewal, it is slightly inferior to dermal stimulation, so glycolic acid is more prominent in improving skin firmness and elasticity.

In the case of whitening light spots, glycolic acid also has good results. It can inhibit tyrosinase activity, block melanin production, and by exfoliating and promoting metabolism, it helps the generated melanin to be excreted from the body, achieving the purpose of whitening light spots. Although retinol can accelerate melanin metabolism, it has a weak inhibition on melanin production. Glycolic acid is more effective in reducing pigmentation and even skin tone, and can also return the skin to a fair and translucent appearance.

To sum up, glycolic acid's mild exfoliation, comprehensive metabolism promotion, and whitening and light spots are all better than retinol, making it a good product for skin care.