Glycolic Acid toner/pads - how to DIY
EDS Skin Care Forums Forum Index » Skincare Tools & Do-It-Yourself Skincare

Tue Sep 01, 2009 4:33 pm

Just a bit curious, but can you make a glycolic acid liquid or toner at a strength of 12% to use once a day? Say on a cotton pad like toner? I see several glycolic acid peel pads by companies, to use daily. Thanks!!

Tue Sep 01, 2009 6:42 pm

I've used full strength Apple cider vinegar as a daily peel, but had to work my way up to that.

free skin care · Wed Sep 02, 2009 12:23 am

I would think that is possible.

But a bottle of those DIY glycolic acid peels aren't that expensive.

Do you do it everyday? I'm quite interested in this as well.

Wed Sep 02, 2009 7:18 am

I wonder how does ACV compare to say a 12% glycolic acid cream or 10% peel pad (now the name is a bit missleading Rolling Eyes

- peel pads are not heavy duty peels).
I use Alpha Hydrox AHA Souffle 12% everyother night (alternate with Retin A .025). In the past I have used Dr Denese's facial pads, but was not happy with the after feel, kinda tacky.

Wed Sep 02, 2009 7:31 am

Could one order the 20% or 70% Glycolic Acid from say Makeup Artist Choice and water it down? But how to make it into a 10% or 12% strength and what to use to 'water' it down?? To then be able to apply with a cotton pad or cotton ball.
Thanks

Wed Sep 02, 2009 2:41 pm

You could get a 30% glycolic acid peel solution to start.
Use distilled water to dilute.
1 part distilled water + 1 part 30% GA = 15% strength
2 parts distilled water + 1 part 30% GA - 7.5%

15% is the max for daily overnight use
I would start off with the 7.5, and work up to using the 15%.

I used to do this, but I've found that (for me), leaving straight ACV (I use full strength, had to work up to that) on my face with additives as needed has worked better for me in terms of results than using the glycolic solution.

ACV contains lots of malic acid, which is an AHA. This is applied to my face, neck, arms, chest and hands. and left overnight.

I make a fresh solution every time.

I use either:
1. straight ACV if my skin is behaving

2. 3 parts full strength ACV with 1 part lemon juice if I am having some pigmentation issues. The citric acid in lemon juice kicks it up in terms of strength/acidity.

option 1: I will add aspirin pills to 1 or 2 (I strain them out) if I am having breakouts. Aspirin pill is for the salicylic acid. I use about 2 aspirin pills for a 2 oz solution.

option 2. I will also add vitamin C (1/4 tsp) once a week to a 2 oz solution.

You can add lemon juice, vitamin c and salicylic acid to the ACV.

I alternate this with Retin-A. I use 2 nights of retin-A, 2 nights of ACV peel, 3 nights of rest from acids (using copper peptides and jojoba oil if my skin is dry). That's my protocol, and my skin has really loved it.

Sunscreen during the day, always.

Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:01 am

Thanks Skincareaddict!! I think the 7.5% sounds good and I may try ACV first and see how my skin reacts. All of your tips are so useful!! I am printing your post out and saving it.
Thanks again

Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:52 am

Typo- it will be 3 parts distilled water to 1 part 30% glycolic acid solution for a 7.5% peel.

Ooops!

free skin care · Sun Jul 24, 2011 9:49 pm

Thankyou Skin care addict, have been wanting to DIY this for a while now, as opposed to the Dr Denese toning pads (which contain other great actives but nothing that you cant get in a moisturizer). Smile

Mon Jul 25, 2011 12:34 am

skincareaddict75 wrote:

You could get a 30% glycolic acid peel solution to start.
Use distilled water to dilute.
1 part distilled water + 1 part 30% GA = 15% strength
2 parts distilled water + 1 part 30% GA - 7.5%

15% is the max for daily overnight use
I would start off with the 7.5, and work up to using the 15%.

I used to do this, but I've found that (for me), leaving straight ACV (I use full strength, had to work up to that) on my face with additives as needed has worked better for me in terms of results than using the glycolic solution.

ACV contains lots of malic acid, which is an AHA. This is applied to my face, neck, arms, chest and hands. and left overnight.

I make a fresh solution every time.

I use either:
1. straight ACV if my skin is behaving

2. 3 parts full strength ACV with 1 part lemon juice if I am having some pigmentation issues. The citric acid in lemon juice kicks it up in terms of strength/acidity.

option 1: I will add aspirin pills to 1 or 2 (I strain them out) if I am having breakouts. Aspirin pill is for the salicylic acid. I use about 2 aspirin pills for a 2 oz solution.

option 2. I will also add vitamin C (1/4 tsp) once a week to a 2 oz solution.

You can add lemon juice, vitamin c and salicylic acid to the ACV.

I alternate this with Retin-A. I use 2 nights of retin-A, 2 nights of ACV peel, 3 nights of rest from acids (using copper peptides and jojoba oil if my skin is dry). That's my protocol, and my skin has really loved it.

Sunscreen during the day, always.

So the ACV mix goes onto clean skin and is left overnight, without a moisturiser? Just wondering if I've got it right.

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