You might already exfoliate or use Vitamin A in your skincare routine… but did you know that these ingredients can sometimes work better together?

Let’s talk about supercharging your skincare routine by combining two of the most powerful age-defying ingredients out there:

Glycolic Acid and Vitamin A.

What is Glycolic Acid? 

Glycolic Acid is a tiny molecule that packs a big punch. It’s a chemical exfoliant from the Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) family.

Like other AHAs, it acts to loosen dead skin cells from the upper layers of your skin, helping them shed more easily.

A build-up of dead skin can make your skin look dull and feel rough, so regular use of chemical exfoliants can help you achieve smoother, brighter skin with a lit-from-within glow. This also helps reduce any congestion in the skin.

If you’re prone to developing hyperpigmentation, Glycolic Acid can be useful for evening out skin tone and reducing the appearance of dark spots.

Clinical studies have also suggested that it can also help stimulate Collagen and Hyaluronic Production inside the skin. 

Because of its small molecular size, Glycolic Acid is good for getting deeper into your skin than other AHAs like Lactic Acid or Mandelic Acid, which means faster results. 

What is Vitamin A?

Vitamin A is the umbrella name for the most evidence-backed group of ingredients in skincare.

Forms of Vitamin A, including Retinol, can help speed up cell production and collagen formation, reduce the appearance of wrinkles and hyperpigmentation and firm up skin.

Vitamin A also acts as an antioxidant, soaking up the reactive free-radicals that result from UV rays and pollution exposure before they cause harmful oxidation stress to your skin. 

There are different types of Vitamin A, all with varying strengths.

Prescription Retinoids like Tretinoin and Tazarotene are more powerful, they’re also significantly more irritating.

Cosmetic derivatives like Retinol and Granactive Retinoid are trusted to deliver results, while minimising chances of flaking, peeling or sensitivity.

Can You Use Glycolic Acid & Vitamin A Together?

@alphahskincare Using Retinol but not exfoliating? Listen up 🔈 This experiment explains why Glycolic Acid and Retinol go hand in hand together 👀 #AlphaH #bodyexfoliation #bodycareroutine #glycolicacid #retinol #bodycare #retinolserum ♬ did i tell u that i miss u - adore

Glycolic Acid and Vitamin A on their own are already pretty incredible, but what happens if you put them together?

The video above is a perfect demonstration.

Well, studies have found that AHAs and Retinoids can actually work better when they’re combined than either one alone!

Scientists think this is because Glycolic Acid can remove dead skin cells and allow the Retinoid to penetrate into skin more effectively. 

Products With Glycolic Acid & Vitamin A

For the face: Alpha-H Midnight Reboot Serum with 14% Glycolic Acid and 1% Granactive Retinoid.

For the body: Alpha-H Retinol Reboot Exfoliating Body Treatment with 8% Glycolic Acid and 1% Encapsulated Retinol.

When starting a new skincare product, apply once or twice a week before working up to 3 nights a week.

And always apply and re-apply a broad-spectrum SPF, because UV exposure will undo your results!