Understanding Your Skin's Reaction to Glycolic Acid

It sounds like you've started using a homemade 10% Glycolic Acid solution and are experiencing increased acne after about a week of use, applying it morning and evening. This is a common concern, and it's important to understand why this might be happening.

While Glycolic Acid is an effective exfoliant that can help improve skin texture and clarity, using a solution with an improperly low pH can cause significant irritation. The Glycopure™ (Glycolic Acid (AHA) 100% Powder) you likely used has a very low inherent pH (0.4-0.6). Mixing 10g of this powder into 100g of water creates a 10% solution, but the pH of this simple mixture is likely much lower than the recommended range for cosmetic use.

According to FDA guidelines for consumer products containing AHA like Glycolic Acid, the concentration should not exceed 10%, and more importantly, the pH of the final product should not be lower than 3.5. A solution made purely from the powder and water at that concentration will almost certainly have a pH well below 3.5, making it highly acidic and potentially very irritating to the skin.

The increased acne you're seeing after 7 days is likely a reaction to this irritation, rather than a normal purging process. Over-exfoliation and irritation can disrupt your skin's natural barrier, leading to inflammation and breakouts.

Using such an irritating product twice a day further exacerbates the issue.

Recommendation:

It is strongly recommended that you stop using the homemade 10% Glycolic Acid solution immediately. Continuing to use a product that is causing this level of irritation can further damage your skin.

If you wish to continue using Glycolic Acid, consider using commercially formulated products designed for cosmetic use. These products are formulated with controlled pH levels to ensure both efficacy and safety. Alternatively, you could explore less irritating forms of Glycolic Acid, such as Ampho-Glycolic™ (Non-Stinging Glycolic Acid Solution) or ActiveRelease™ Glycolic Acid (Timed-Release Glycolic Acid), which are designed to minimize irritation while still providing exfoliation benefits.

Always patch-test new products and introduce them gradually into your routine. If skin irritation persists, consult a dermatologist.