Be it India or any other part of the world, acne is considered as one of the most common skin issues. The situation becomes even more out of control when the acne and pimples leave their ugly marks or lead to permanent scars. It has been found by scientists that glycolic acid can heal acne scars (1) efficiently and fade the marks of pimples away while putting a stop to further breakouts. There are only a few glycolic acid creams in the Indian market and Glyco 6 (Glycolic Acid Cream 6% w/w) is most popular among them. It is a decent product intended for treating hyperpigmentation and can be used successfully with some restrictions. In today’s post, we will review the Glyco 6 Cream and explore its effects on acne scars and pimple marks.
About Glyco 6 Cream
- A Product By: Micro Labs Limited (made in India)
- Brand Name: Glyco 6
- Generic Name: Glycolic Acid
- Formulation: Cream
- Availability: At local medical stores and some online shops
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Price
Rs. 170 for 30 gm.
Shelf Life
24 months from the date of manufacturing
Composition
Glycolic Acid 6% w/w in a cream base
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Look And Feel
The Glyco 6 (Glycolic Acid Cream 6% w/w) comes in simple packaging. Let’s start with the outer carton. It is a white and purple cardboard box with the product details and other information printed on it. The product itself comes in a regular white-colored plastic tube with purple designs. There is a tight white screw cap at its opening, which prevents a mess during application as well as leakage during traveling. Apparently, the shape and design of the tube are quite ordinary and it reminds us of various medicated ointments available in the market. However, the small size allows us to carry the tube everywhere easily. The cream is pure white in color and pretty thick in texture. It is non-sticky but makes the face fairly greasy after each application. Glyco 6 cream has a typical sweet smell like other skin creams, which is not very strong. It fades away within a few minutes and should not cause discomfort to sensitive noses.
What does glycolic acid do to your face ?
Glycolic acid typically works as an exfoliant and hence it is used to remove dead skin and impurities. It has collagen boosting properties which makes it effective in treating anti-ageing related problems.
What Does It Claim?
“Glyco 6 (Glycolic Acid Cream 6% w/w) containing the active ingredient glycolic acid is a naturally occurring substance called Alpha Hydroxyl Acid (AHA) and can be found in products such as fruits, milk and sugar cane. The medication has an exfoliating effect to help break up dead skin cells. The cream has a variety of usages such as treating or preventing acne, fading of scars caused by acne, lightening of the skin color and even treats wrinkles for an anti-aging effect.”
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What Does It Offer?
As said before, Glyco 6 (Glycolic Acid Cream 6% w/w) is a cream formulation containing 6% glycolic acid in a thick base. Though it has a thick consistency, it is easily spreadable and gets absorbed into the skin within seconds. The cream has a greasy texture, which turns the face shiny. Hence, it is better to avoid during daylight. However, regular usage of this cream at night can actually give you the desired results. It has a good percentage of glycolic acid, which offers excellent chemical exfoliation to help you get rid of dead cells. Consequently, the skin becomes brighter and more even-toned over time. It reduces dark or brown spots, marks, patches, and other discolorations and smoothes out pitted scarring to a large extent. The cream keeps the pores unclogged so that no further breakouts can occur. It also speeds up the healing of acne. However, it is not a miracle product and you should not expect the results overnight. It might take 4-5 months to show you a significant reduction in your acne scars and pimple marks.
Can I be allergic to glycolic acid?
Avoid glycolic acid if you have a dry or super sensitive skin. If you experience irritation, burning sensation or redness, consult your dermatologist immediately.
Application
Cleanse your skin thoroughly and let it dry completely before using the cream. You must wait for 15-20 minutes in between cleansing the skin and applying the product. Then, gently apply the cream on the affected areas or as directed by the physician.
Pros Of Glyco 6 Cream
- One of the best glycolic acid creams in India
- Contains 6% (strong enough) glycolic acid
- Easy to spread on the skin
- Gets absorbed into the skin immediately
- The smell doesn’t linger on the skin
- Offers excellent skin exfoliation
- Removes dark spots, marks, and discoloration
- Smoothes out pitted acne scars
- Makes skin brighter and even-toned
- Travel-friendly packaging
- Inexpensive
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Is glycolic acid harmful?
Always consult a dermatologist before you decide to embrace full benefits of glycolic acid. Ideal concentration of glycolic acid shouldn’t go beyond 10%. Repeated use may lead to damage of collagen resulting in redness and irritation. If you are using during daytime, make sure to use a sunscreen lotion before applying glycolic acid.
Cons Of Glyco 6 Cream
- Takes a long time to show results
- Makes skin greasy and shiny
- Has many potential side effects
- Does not soothe or hydrate the skin
- No full ingredient list available
- Not very easily available
Side Effects Of Glyco 6 Cream
Glyco 6 Cream comes with the risks of potential side effects, such as stinging sensation, mild burning, scaling/peeling, erythema, etc. However, if you experience any other rare side effects like dryness, irritation, rashes, hives, redness, swelling, allergies, photosensitivity, and hypopigmentation, stop using the cream immediately and get in touch with a dermatologist.
Verdict
Glyco 6 (Glycolic Acid Cream 6% w/w) is certainly a great treatment for acne scars and pimple marks. But it is recommended that you consult an expert before using it in order to avoid any unwanted skin or health issues.
Summary –
Glyco 6 Cream With Glycolic Acid is one of the popular creams to treat dark spots, marks and discoloration. With 6% glycolic acid in it, cream effectively evens out acne scar and makes skin brighter. Always consult your dermatologist before embracing Glyco 6 Cream in your beauty regime to avoid unwanted skin issues.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Often Should I Use Glyco 6 Cream?
Do not use the cream daily. Rather, apply it on your skin every alternate night.
What Is The Right Time To Apply The Cream?
You can apply Glyco 6 Cream anytime as per your convenience. But always use a full-spectrum sunscreen while using the cream during the day. Also, try to avoid prolonged exposure to the sunlight as much as possible.
What Are The Precautions To Take?
Clean your hands thoroughly right before applying the cream on your skin with your fingertips. Make sure that you do not apply the cream around your eyes and mouth area. Also, stay away from applying the cream on dry, chapped, irritated, or sunburnt skin. Excessive use of the cream is also not recommended. Hence, you need to consult a physician before starting Glyco 6 cream treatment (2).
Does glycolic acid lighten skin?
Yes, it can reverse skin darkening caused by tanning or discoloration by removing the top layer of the skin. However it is not effective in lightening your skin color beyond original color.
What percentage of glycolic acid is effective?
One should not go beyond 10% concentration. Anything beyond this can harm your skin causing chemical burn as it penetrates deep inside skin. Always consult a dermatologist before you decide to use a glycolic acid cream/peel.
Which is better retinol or glycolic acid?
Glycolic acid is essentially used to exfoliate skin. It encourages skin renewal process as well. It is used for treating dark spots, discolorations, and sunspots. On the other hand, Retinol is capable of minimizing production of melanin thus reducing black spots and boosting collagen production. It improves elasticity of the skin.
Do I need to moisturize after applying glycolic acid?
Glycolic acid has strong exfoliant properties and can make your skin dry. Usage of a high percentage of Glycolic acid may cause chemical burns as it penetrates deep inside the skin. It is always recommended to moisturize your skin after using a glycolic acid based cream.
Is it safe to use glycolic acid during pregnancy ?
If you are using a glycolic acid based cream with less than 10% concentration, it’s absolutely safe to use it topically. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers can safely use it as its impact is restricted to the upper layer of the skin.
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References:
- “Chemical Peels for Acne and Acne Scars in Asians“, nih.gov
- “Glyco 6 Skin Cream“, TabletWise.com
