What is the Difference Between Glycolic Acid and Salicylic Acid
Glycolic acid and salicylic acid
Both “acids” are commonly used in skincare products and are used mainly for their exfoliating and anti-aging properties. If you take a look at your exfoliating and hydrating skincare products, you will most likely find one of them in the ingredient listing. While both acids can help to improve the appearance of the skin, they have some key differences in terms of their chemical properties, the functions they perform, and which skin concerns they are best suited to address.
Let’ start off with glycolic acid.
Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that is derived from sugar cane. Because it is a humectant, it is able to penetrate the surface of the skin easily. Overall, glycolic acid works by breaking down the bonds between dead skin cells on the surface of the skin, allowing them to be shed. This process is known as chemical exfoliation.
At Genie Supply one of our favorite products is the Unicorn Serum. This product contains glycolic acid and is a great gentle chemical exfoliator.
Don’t let the word “chemical” scare you away. Chemical exfoliators can actually be more a beneficial way to exfoliate your skin depending on your (or your customer’s) needs. Unlike exfoliation techniques that require scrubbing, chemical exfoliation does not leave micro-scratches on the skin’s surface, while still allowing for the exfoliating effect.
Glycolic acid can be a great ingredient to add to your product if you are looking for an exfoliating effect from the product that is not too harsh on the skin.
Unicorn Serum
This 2-In-1 Serum From The Skincare Gods Combines An Astonishingly High Level Of Super-Low Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid, Which Has Been Proven In Trials To Yield Remarkable Hydration And Anti-Aging Effects, With Gentle Chemical Exfoliant Alpha-Hydroxy Acids. This Chemical Exfoliant Has Been Shown To Improve Skin Texture (Source) And Improve The Skin’s Water Barrier Properties(Source).
Glycolic acid can be a great ingredient to add to your product if you are looking for an exfoliating effect from the product that is not too harsh on the skin.
It has a number of benefits for the skin. Its gentle exfoliating properties can improve the texture and tone of the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Salicylic acid, however, can be more effective in treating acne than glycolic acid.
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) that is derived from willow bark. It has a larger molecular structure than glycolic acid, so it does not penetrate the skin as easily as the former. Salicylic acid, however, is oil-soluble which making it effective at penetrating inside of pores and dissolving oil and dead skin cells that can tend to clog them.
Salicylic acid penetrates the skin deeper than glycolic acid and is considered to be a over-the-counter drug. Because it is oil-soluble, salicylic acid can be a better ingredient for acne prone skin, as oil and dead skin cells can cause acne, but it can be more difficult to formulate with and manufacture due to restrictions surrounding OTC drugs.
Not only does salicylic acid help to treat acne, it can help to reduce inflammation and kill the bacteria that cause acne. Similar to glycolic acid, it can help to reduce skin texture, but penetrates much deeper than glycolic acid.
Another favorite exfoliating product at Genie Supply us the Skin-Cell Turnover Resurfacing Mask. .
Skin-Cell Turnover Resurfacing Mask
We’re All About Looking Younger And Hydroxy Acids Are One Way To Get There. Gentle Fruit-Based Chemical Exfoliant Uses AHAs Which Have Been Proven In Multiple Studies (Source) To Increase Skin Cell Turnover While Salicylic Acid From Willow Bark Extract Exfoliates Deep Into Your Pores For A Refreshed, Resurfaced, Younger-Looking You
As you may have guessed based on the information above, it is a less gentle chemical exfoliator that should only be used about once a week. While this product does not contain salicylic acid, it does contain willow bark extract with can be thought of a less-powerful-sister to salicylic acid that is derived from the same source.
This once-a-week use will leave your skin feeling smooth and adding on a moisturizer afterward will leave the skin feeling moisturized and free of oily buildup.
This once-a-week use will leave your skin feeling smooth and adding on a moisturizer afterward will leave the skin feeling moisturized and free of oily buildup.
At Genie Supply we have private label formulas and have custom formulated multiple products with both glycolic acid and willow bark extract (the sister), however we can help you formulate with salicylic acid, but not manufacture. It is possible to combine the two ingredients or use them separately. When deciding between the two ingredients in a product, you should consider what you want from the product and who your target customer base is.
Here are a few things to consider:
Skin type
Glycolic acid: Generally suitable for all skin types.
Salicylic acid: Typically more suitable for oily and acne-prone skin, as it is oil-soluble and can penetrate deep into the pores.
Both types of acid can be irritating for sensitive skin types, so a patch test is always recommended before making the full-face-commitment.
Skin concerns
Glycolic acid: If you are primarily concerned with improving the texture and tone of your skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. (Surface level exfoliation)
Salicylic acid: If you have acne and are looking to remove bacteria from the skin surface and pores in addition to treating and preventing breakouts. (Pore level exfoliation)
pH level
The pH level of a product is an important factor to consider when using AHAs and BHAs, as the pH can affect how the product works.
Glycolic acid: A lower pH than salicylic acid, which means it is more acidic and can be more irritating to the skin. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to opt for a product with a higher pH to minimize irritation.
Salicylic acid: Higher PH meaning it can be more irritating to the skin.
Budget
Since salicylic acid is considered an OTC drug in the United States, it can be more costly to produce products with it in the United States due to the rules and regulations that must be followed when producing. Glycolic acid on the other hand is not considered OTC drug so it may be less costly to produce. If you are stuck on the idea of using salicylic acid in your product, consider alternatives like willow bark, which performs similar functions.
To learn more about the upcoming acids in skincare other than glycolic and salicylic, check out this blog to learn more!
Formulate or Private Label Acids with Genie Supply
At Genie Supply we have experience formulating with both glycolic acid and salicylic acid in skincare. We also offer private label formulas to meet your needs at a lower cost than custom formulation. If you are interested in custom formulation, check out our formulation page here.
If you are interested in private labeling skincare acids, check out our private label formulas here and even order a few samples to try out.
