If you are living through an Aussie summer right now, your skin is probably feeling it. Between the humidity, the sweat, and the layers of SPF 50+ we slap on daily, our pores can get pretty bogged down.
You’ve probably heard the buzz about Glycolic Acid. It’s everywhere—from your mate’s bathroom shelf to the "SkinTok" videos you scroll through at 2 am. But is it just another trend, or is it actually the holy grail for glowing skin?
If you’re dealing with dullness, rough texture, or just want that fresh "I drink 3 litres of water a day" look, this might be exactly what you need. Let’s break it down, no PhD required.
What does glycolic acid do to your skin?
Think of your skin like a brick wall. The cells are the bricks, and there is a stubborn "glue" holding old, dead cells onto the surface.
When we’re kids, that glue dissolves on its own. But as we get older (or bake in the sun a bit too much), the process slows down. Dead skin hangs around longer than it should, making your complexion look grey, tired, and rough.
Glycolic Acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) derived from sugar cane. It basically acts like a solvent for that glue. Because it has the smallest molecule size of all the acids, it dives deep into the skin quickly and dissolves the bonds holding the dead stuff down.
Once the glue is gone? The dead skin washes away, revealing the fresh, baby-soft skin underneath. It’s not scrubbing your skin off; it’s helping it shed naturally.
Five Benefits of Glycolic Acid
Why is this ingredient the MVP of skincare cabinets across Australia? Here are the top five reasons we reckon it’s essential:
-
Serious Anti-Ageing: It’s not just an exfoliator. Research shows it actually stimulates collagen production in the deeper layers of your skin, which helps plump up fine lines and keeps you looking bouncy.
-
Unclogs Pores Like a Boss: If you struggle with blackheads or enlarged pores (thanks, summer sweat), glycolic acid gets right in there to clear out the gunk and oil, making pores appear tighter.
-
Fades Pigmentation: Got some sun spots or leftover marks from old breakouts? Speeding up cell turnover helps shed those stained, dark surface cells faster, evening out your skin tone.
-
Instant Glow: This is the immediate payoff. By removing the rough layer that scatters light, your skin becomes smoother and reflects light better. You literally glow.
-
Hydration Station: Surprisingly, glycolic acid is a humectant. That means while it’s exfoliating, it’s also drawing moisture into your skin, stopping it from feeling stripped or dry.
What is Glycolic Acid Used For?
While face serums are popular, down here in Aus, we are seeing a massive shift towards using Glycolic Acid for the body.
It is an absolute game-changer for:
-
Keratosis Pilaris: You know those annoying "chicken skin" bumps on the back of your arms? Glycolic acid dissolves the keratin plugs, causing them.
-
Strawberry Legs: If you get dark dots after shaving, using a glycolic scrub can help prevent ingrown hairs and smooth the texture.
-
Rough Patches: It softens those hard, crusty areas on elbows, knees, and heels that moisturiser just can’t fix on its own.
-
Back Acne (Bacne): Clears the congestion from sweaty gym sessions or beach days.
Is Glycolic Acid Good For Your Skin?
Short answer: Yes, absolutely. Long answer: Yes, but you have to respect it. It is a powerful active ingredient. If you use it correctly, it is arguably the best way to resurface your skin without using harsh, jagged physical scrubs that tear your skin barrier. It’s effective, reliable, and backed by science.
How to Use Glycolic Acid Correctly
This is where people trip up. More is not always better.
-
Start Slow: If you’ve never used acids, don’t go in blazing every day. Start once or twice a week.
-
Night Time is Best: Acids make your skin sensitive to sunlight. Using them in your evening shower is the safest bet.
-
The "Magic Minute": If you are using a wash-off product like a scrub, massage it in and let it sit for 60 seconds. Give the acid time to actually do its job before you rinse it down the drain.
Which skin types is glycolic acid good for?
Most skin types are welcome, but it does play some favourites:
-
Oily/Combination: You will love this. It helps suck up the excess oil that leads to breakouts.
-
Normal: Great for maintaining radiance.
-
Dry: You may use it (it is hydrating, after all!), but do follow with a thick moisturiser.
-
Sensitive: Proceed with caution. It might be a little ‘spicy’ (tingly). Patch test and perhaps opt for a wash-off rather than a leave-on product.
What type of glycolic acid is best to use?
For the body, we reckon a Glycolic Scrub is the winner.
Why? Because you get a "double whammy." You get the chemical exfoliation from the acid, AND the physical exfoliation from the eco-friendly beads buffing away the debris. It’s efficient, easy to use in the shower, and leaves your skin feeling insanely smooth.
How to use glycolic acid in your skincare routine?
Keep it simple. You don’t need a 10-step ritual.
-
Cleanse: Get the surface dirt and makeup off.
-
Exfoliate (The Glycolic Step): Apply your scrub to damp skin. Massage gently. Focus on rough bits. Rinse.
-
Treat: If you use serums (like Hyaluronic Acid), apply them now.
-
Moisturise: This is non-negotiable. You’ve just exposed fresh skin; lock in the hydration with a good cream or oil.
Does Glycolic Acid Lighten Skin Tone?
Let’s be clear: Glycolic acid is not a bleach. It won’t change your natural skin colour.
However, it does brighten. By stripping away old, sun-damaged, or stained layers of skin, the fresh skin underneath looks lighter and more even. It fades dark spots, but it won’t alter your DNA.
What are the disadvantages of glycolic acid on the skin?
It’s not all sunshine and rainbows if you misuse it.
The biggest one? Sun Sensitivity. We cannot stress this enough. Glycolic acid uncovers baby-new skin cells with zero protection from UV. You will want to apply sunscreen the following day. If you scrub tonight, then go to the beach tomorrow without SPF, you’ll burn. Badly.
Plus, if you overdo it, it can compromise your moisture barrier and cause redness and irritation. Stick to 2-3 times a week.
Choosing a Product (The Right Way)
If you’re looking for a glycolic scrub, turn it over and look at the label. It makes a huge difference.
You want a formula that combines the power of the acid with soothing ingredients. Because if it’s pure acid and rough grit, your skin will dry out. You really do require that balance to keep your moisture barrier happy.
And a big one for us Aussies: Plastic microbeads are out. They are awful for our oceans and for reefs. Always seek out natural, biodegradable exfoliants (such as silica or plant-derived beads).
This is why we created the NCC Glycolic Acid Scrub. We didn’t want to have to pick between results and the environment. So we created ours with biodegradable beads that gently eliminate dead skin without harming our planet. Plus, we filled it with calming botanicals to ensure your skin is left feeling soft and moisturized — not stripped, and certainly not tight — after each cleanse.
What ingredients can you pair with glycolic acid?
-
Hyaluronic Acid: The perfect partner. Glycolic paves the way, Hyaluronic floods the skin with water.
-
Vitamin E: Soothes the skin after exfoliation.
-
Natural Oils (Jojoba, Almond): Great for locking in moisture afterwards.
What ingredients should you avoid when using glycolic acid?
Don’t mix your activities, or you’ll end up with a red face.
-
Retinol (Vitamin A): Don’t use them at the same time. Use Glycolic one night, Retinol the next.
-
Vitamin C: Best to use Vitamin C in the morning and Glycolic at night.
-
Other Acids (Salicylic/Lactic): Unless they are formulated together in one product, don’t layer them yourself. It’s too harsh.
NCC Shop: Skincare inspired by nature
If you’re keen to try this out and get your skin sorted for the rest of summer, you don’t need to look far.
At NCC Shop, we believe in skincare that works with your skin, not against it. We’ve combined the power of high-performance actives with the goodness of nature.
Our Glycolic Acid Scrub is formulated specifically to tackle that tough Aussie skin buildup while keeping things hydrated and smooth. It’s the perfect addition to your shower routine to banish strawberry legs and get that glow back.
Ready to reset your skin? Check it out here: 👉 Shop Glycolic Acid Scrub Australia
