How to Use Glycolic Acid Without Destroying Your Face

Start with the lowest concentration once a week at night, build up slowly, and never skip sunscreen the next day.

Most people treat glycolic acid like a miracle cure when it's just controlled damage—respect the process or your face will teach you to.

1. Start stupidly low. Begin with 5% concentration max, once a week only. Your skin needs time to build tolerance, not trauma. Most people jump in too fast and spend weeks recovering from chemical burns.
2. Apply to completely dry skin. Wait 20 minutes after cleansing before applying glycolic acid. Wet skin amplifies penetration and can cause irritation. Think of it as opening every pore door wider than intended.
3. Use at night only. Glycolic acid makes your skin photosensitive for up to a week. Apply before bed, never in the morning routine. Your skin is doing repair work while you sleep anyway.
4. Follow with nothing fancy. After glycolic acid, use only basic moisturizer. No retinol, no vitamin C, no other acids. Your skin is already working overtime processing one active ingredient.
5. Increase frequency gradually. After 4 weeks of once weekly use, try twice a week. After another month, consider every other night if your skin tolerates it well. Some people never need daily use.