The key difference between glycolic lactic and salicylic acid is that products containing glycolic acid are suitable for sensitive skin, and products containing lactic acid are suitable for dry and mature skin, whereas products containing salicylic acid are suitable for acne-prone skin.
There are many different types of skincare products available in the market that are suitable for different skin types. Glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid are important ingredients in these types of products.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Glycolic Acid
3. What is Lactic Acid
4. What is Salicylic Acid
5. Glycolic vs Lactic vs Salicylic Acid in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Glycolic vs Lactic vs Salicylic Acid
What is Glycolic Acid?
Glycolic acid is an organic compound having the chemical formula C2H4O3. It is identified as the simplest alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). Therefore, this organic molecule has a carboxylic functional group (-COOH) and a hydroxyl group (-OH) separated by only one carbon atom. Glycolic acid is a colorless, odorless, and highly soluble substance in water. Furthermore, it is hygroscopic.
The molar mass of glycolic acid 76 g/mol, while the melting point of this compound is 75 °C. However, it has no boiling point because it decomposes at higher temperatures. The major application of this compound is in the cosmetic industry. Manufacturers use this compound as a common ingredient in skincare products. They make this compound via a reaction between formaldehyde and synthesis gas along with a catalyst because this reaction has a low cost. Furthermore, this acid is slightly stronger than acetic acid because of its electron-withdrawing power (of the hydroxyl group).
What is Lactic Acid?
Lactic acid can be described as an organic compound having the chemical formula CH3CH(OH)COOH. When considering its solid state, this compound is a white powder, and it is miscible with water. Upon its dissolving in water, lactic acid forms a colorless aqueous solution. We can name it an alpha-hydroxy acid because it has a hydroxyl group adjacent to the carboxyl group. This compound is useful as a synthetic intermediate compound in some organic synthesis industries. It is also known as milk acid because milk is rich in lactic acid.
The lactic acid compound is a chiral compound. It contains two enantiomers known as L-lactic acid and D-lactic acid. The racemic lactic acid is an equal mixture of these two enantiomers. This racemic mixture is miscible with water and ethanol.
What is Salicylic Acid?
Salicylic acid is an organic compound that is very important as a medication that helps to remove the outer layer of the skin. It appears as a colorless to white crystalline solid that is odorless. The chemical formula of this compound is C7H6O3, and its molar mass is 138.12 g/mol. The melting point of salicylic acid crystals is 158.6 °C, and it decomposes at 200 °C. These crystals can undergo sublimation at 76 °C. The IUPAC name of salicylic acid is 2-Hydroxybenzoic acid.
Salicylic acid is important as a medication in treating warts, dandruff, acne, and other skin disorders due to its ability to remove the outer layer of the skin. Therefore, salicylic acid is a major ingredient useful in manufacturing skincare products; for example, it is useful in some shampoos to treat dandruff. It is significant in manufacturing Pepto-Bismol, a medication used to treat gastrointestinal disorders. Additionally, salicylic acid is also useful as a food preservative.
What is the Difference Between Glycolic Lactic and Salicylic Acid?
The key difference between glycolic lactic and salicylic acid is that products containing glycolic acid are suitable for sensitive skin, and products containing lactic acid are suitable for dry and mature skin, whereas products containing salicylic acid are suitable for acne-prone skin.
The below infographic presents the differences between glycolic lactic and salicylic acid in tabular form for side by side comparison.
Summary – Glycolic Lactic vs Salicylic Acid
There are many different types of skincare products available in the market suitable for different skin types. Glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid are important ingredients in this type of product. The key difference between glycolic lactic and salicylic acid is that products containing glycolic acid are suitable for sensitive skin, and products containing lactic acid are suitable for dry and mature skin, whereas products containing salicylic acid are suitable for acne-prone skin.
Reference:
1. Cherney, Kristeen. “Lactic Acid Peel: Benefits, Side Effects, Products, and More.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 8 Mar. 2019.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Glycolic acid 3D ball” By Jynto (talk) – This image was created with Discovery Studio Visualizer. (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “D-Lactic acid molecule ball” By Jynto (talk) – This image was created with Discovery Studio Visualizer. (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia