Glycolic Acid Powder Turning Liquid: Storage and Effectiveness
Question
I bought Glycolic Acid powder (10g jar) about 3-4 weeks ago. I stored it at room temperature, away from sunlight. Today, I opened it and found that it has turned into a liquid (though not completely dissolved).
I would like to ask:
- How should I store it to prevent it from turning into liquid like this?
- Does it turning into liquid affect the effectiveness of the Glycolic Acid?
Answer
Glycolic Acid powder is hygroscopic, meaning it readily absorbs moisture from the air. This is why your powder has turned into a liquid after being stored at room temperature. To prevent this, you should store Glycolic Acid powder in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keeping it in a low-humidity environment is crucial.
The change from powder to liquid due to moisture absorption does not typically affect the chemical efficacy of the Glycolic Acid itself. However, the concentration of the Glycolic Acid will be lower because it has absorbed water. When using it in a formulation, you would need to account for this dilution.
I was unable to find specific product details for the Glycolic Acid powder you purchased using the available search tools.