Why You Should Use Glycolic Acid and Vitamin C Together

Finding skincare products that are formulated with ingredients that “play well” together can be challenging. Not everyone knows what ingredients to look for in your cleansers, serums, exfoliators, or moisturizers. We get it! This makes it twice as hard to adapt to a skincare system that’s suitable for your skin goals and needs. Luckily, scientist and skin health expert, Dr. Cat has done the research and curated the perfect formula with power player ingredients that should be in your skincare products. We’re talking about Glycolic Acid and Vitamin C! 

What is Glycolic Acid and Why is it Important?

Let’s get science-y for a minute. Glycolic acid is an alpha-hydroxy-acid, or AHA, which is naturally derived from plants (specifically sugar cane). AHAs are resplendent for their ability to help our skin improve texture, reduce lines, and combat signs of aging. And if there is a stand-out AHA in the bunch, it’s glycolic acid. That’s because it has the smallest molecules among AHAs, which means that it is the easiest for your skin to absorb.

Glycolic acid isn’t just easy for your skin to feast on, though. It’s a pivotal ingredient in the best skincare products because of its multiple unique benefits, which all go back to cell turnover. Instead of allowing older skin cells to take up space, glycolic acid can help remove or shed dead and dying skin cells and encourage the growth of new ones. This can make your skin look and feel rejuvenated and fresh. 

Glycolic acid also inspires your skin to produce other essential substances that can help it thrive. One of these is collagen, a protein that makes your skin fuller and more elastic looking and feeling. While we produce less collagen as we age or incur sun damage, glycolic acid can prevent the breakdown of the collagen you already have and spur it on to make more. 

Other benefits of glycolic acid include:

• Reduced breakouts
• Improved texture
• Increased hydration
• Smoothed complexion

Does My Skin Benefit from Vitamin C?

When we think of Vitamin C, we often think of taking a supplement when we’re feeling under the weather to boost our immune system. But that’s not where the story stops. 

Vitamin C, which is also called ascorbic acid, is critical for our bodies to grow, repair, and develop tissues and cells of all types. And that includes our skin. 

While taking supplements can be great for your overall health (under the advisement of a healthcare provider, of course), it has also been proven that topical application of Vitamin C can have a direct impact on the health and quality of the skin. This is because it’s naturally an antioxidant (fighting free radicals) and contains anti-pigmentary properties (fighting dark spots). And that’s just the start.

Vitamin C also helps stimulate the production of collagen, helping to enliven the look and feel of your skin. In addition, it can help diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, brighten your overall complexion, and repair damaged skin cells. 

Other benefits of Vitamin C include:

• Increased hydration
• Decreased dark circles
• Reduced redness

A Beauty Powerhouse: Glycolic Acid and Vitamin C in Combination

Put two and two together, or in this case glycolic acid and vitamin C, and you can see how they become a dynamic duo when it comes to your skincare regimen. 

Both work together to encourage collagen production, which is pivotal to combating the signs of aging, especially in our later years. As glycolic acid helps to remove the dead cells that can leave skin feeling dull, Vitamin C encourages regrowth in its place. Together they encourage hydration deep in the skin, which can also help to flush away toxins and ensure other nutrients are making it to your skin. 

Combine these two powerhouse ingredients, and you’re looking at a laundry list of benefits for your skin.

Another key to getting the most benefits out of the combination is to use them in the right order. Many people think that using glycolic acid and Vitamin C together means mixing the two into a single solution. However, there’s a science to getting the most of these ingredients, and part of it comes down to the order you approach them. That’s because using AHAs can alter the pH of your skin, changing its ability to work with or incorporate other nutrients or substances. 

Experts recommend that, for the best results, you use glycolic acid first in your skincare routine and then apply products that contain Vitamin C. This gives your skin a chance to balance out and for the application of both ingredients to work their magic. 

Putting Glycolic Acid and Vitamin C Together with MD Glam 

These two essentials are part of the mission for healthier skin. But you probably don’t have the time to hunt around reading labels and looking for ways to combine the two on your own.

That’s why MD Glam has formulated a line of products with the right ingredients in mind for the best anti-aging results. Check out this easy-to-follow routine day or night…or both!

1. Exfoliate

Remember those dead skin cells? You can clear them away with our Exfoliating Enzyme Scrub which is rich with glycolic acid for cell regeneration and already paired with Vitamin C for superior antioxidant protection. Our scrub is designed to be gentle on the skin of all types while also leaving it satin smooth and clearing out dirt and grime deep in your pores

2. Cleanse

Next up, clear away any remaining dirt and cells with our Deep Pore Foaming Cleanser packed with Vitamin C to encourage collagen production and even your complexion. We’ve paired this with Vitamins A, B, and E and a bevy of Dead Sea minerals to enrich your skin and hydrate while cleansing.

3. Moisturize

Cap off your routine by replenishing the hydration your skin craves. Whether morning (DMAE Antioxidant Day Moisturizer) or night (Hyaluronic Acid Night C-Complex), MD Glam has a moisturizer for you that’s primed with Vitamin C to smooth and soothe your skin. 

Take the Next Step in Your Quest for Younger Looking Skin with MD Glam 

MD Glam is designed to provide the best quality skin care products with an emphasis on solutions that go to work no matter your skin type. Our surgeon-formulated solutions can help you feel better, look your best, and combat the signs of aging. Every ingredient, including glycolic acid and Vitamin C, has been carefully selected and sourced to slow the process of aging.

Create your skin care regimen for success with MD Glam! Not sure where to start? Take our Skin Quiz to find the perfect routine for you based on your exact needs and areas of concern.