How to Use Glycolic Acid to Lighten Dark Inner Thighs

You can use glycolic acid for dark inner thighs with great results if you know how to use it properly and if you know your skin well.

As the name suggests, this is an acid, albeit one of the gentle ones. However, the key to successfully using it for hyperpigmentation is choosing the right formulation and concentration.

So how does it work and how can you make it work for your skin?

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How Glycolic Acid Works

Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that gently exfoliates (removes) the very top layer of your skin where it is applied.

This makes the skin appear lighter and more evenly toned as new, healthier skin regenerates. It also helps to unclog and tighten your pores to make skin look smoother and tighter.

How to Use Glycolic Acid for Dark Inner Thighs

You should start using glycolic acid gradually so that your skin gets used to the treatment and to avoid or minimize side effects.

The first step is to choose the right formula and concentration for you.

Then make sure that you are keeping your skin well moisturized. Click here to read all about Moisturizing After Glycolic Acid: What You Should Know.

Also, avoid using other acids or active ingredients like retinol at the same time. This will be too much for your skin at once.

Choosing The Right Formulation

For dark inner thighs, because of the location and size of the area, I recommend using a soap or toner solution. These are easiest to apply and can be washed off if necessary.

You can also use creams and serums if you feel more comfortable with those. But for me, those come in too small packages and do not last me any amount of time! They also seem to work much slower.

Glycolic acid chemical peels are also an option for more stubborn hyperpigmentation. But these need to be advised and done by a professional after a proper consultation. But to read more about glycolic acid peels and other types of chemical peels for hyperpigmentation, check out our article on Chemical Peel For Hyperpigmentation: Ultimate Guide.

Choosing The Right Concentration

Also, start with the lowest possible concentration that will be effective. If it does not work, you can always safely increase the concentration. However, if you start with one that is too strong for you, it can damage your skin. This will cause more hyperpigmentation and more downtime before you can start using the right formula to start your treatment again. Not to mention how uncomfortable this will be!

Generally, most experts agree that the safest concentrations of glycolic acid for your skin range between 5% and 10%.

Remember that your inner thighs are pretty sensitive and prone to friction and chafing so you need to be careful.

How often should you use it?

Toner

After you patch test your skin (as you always should) then I recommend starting this treatment by applying it once daily 1-2 times per week.

Do this consistently for 2-4 weeks. If you see no difference but also have no side effects, then increase the frequency until you can safely use it every day.

Some people may not need to apply it every day. Some people only need to apply it once a week, or a few times a week. You will have to play around with your routine until you find one that works best for your skin.

Soap

After the initial patch test, try using the soap once daily. If you do not have any side effects then you can continue to use this every day.

If you do see side effects, you may need to use the soap less often.

How long will it take to work?

Glycolic acid usually shows results in as little as a week of consistent use. However, this will also depend on:

How bad your hyperpigmentation is
Your skin type
How often you use it

The concentration and formula that you use

Side Effects Of Using Glycolic Acid For Dark Inner Thighs

If used incorrectly, glycolic acid can cause:

Burning
Skin rash
Swelling

Blisters or welts
Skin peeling
Itching

Skin irritation or tenderness
Chemical burns

To avoid these risks and side effects it is important that you choose the right kind of glycolic acid to use and that you do patch tests first to make sure that your skin can handle the treatment.

If you experience any of these side effects despite doing everything right, you may need to stop using glycolic acid and seek an alternative.

In the case of chemical burns and more severe side effects, please seek medical help.

Best Glycolic Acid Products For Dark Inner Thighs

1- Alder New York Cleansing Bar

This bar combines physical exfoliation (crushed jojoba seeds) with chemical exfoliation (1% glycolic acid). So it is super gentle and can be used every day. It will not be suitable if you have extreme hyperpigmentation. But it can help to gradually even out your skin tone.

Shea butter, jojoba oil, and nourishing sea kelp also provide extra moisture for the skin. This bar soap is also great for people with sensitive skin because it is unscented and fragrance-free.

You can Click here to check out the Alder New York Cleansing Bar on Amazon.

You can also use body washes with a higher concentration of glycolic acid like the Naturium Glycolic Acid Body Wash.

To read more about Glycolic acid soaps check out our article: Glycolic Acid Soap- Benefits, Risks, How to Use & Best Ones

2. The QRxLabs Glycolic Acid Gel Cleanser

I like this cleanser because it has the lowest concentration of the acid I could find and it worked great for my sensitive skin. With an optimal 5% Glycolic Acid concentration, this gel cleanser is sufficiently strong to be highly effective but not so strong that it will leave the skin irritated.

This cleanser combines gentle and effective natural ingredients such as Coconut Milk, Honey, and Sweet Almond Oil with medical-grade Glycolic Acid to provide deep pore cleansing and gentle exfoliation.

Click here to check out The QRxLabs Glycolic Acid Gel Cleanser on Amazon.

3. Pixi Beauty Glow Tonic

Now this particular toner is amazing because again, it was one the few toners with the lowest effective concentration of the acid.

It contains 5% glycolic acid which gently exfoliates the skin. It also contains ginseng which improves circulation and energizes the skin, and aloe Vera soothes and hydrates.

Pixi Glow is for people with very sensitive skin.

You can Click here to see the Pixi Beauty Glow Tonic on Amazon.

4. The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Toner

This toner has been all the rage on social media and in the skincare space. It seems like a miracle product. But, the magic is knowing how to use it.

It contains 7% glycolic acid along with Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, and Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract. It is quite strong if you have sensitive skin but it is also super effective.

This is one of those products that you have to start slowly with and work your way up to daily use.

You can Click here to see The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Toner.

5. Alpha Skin Care Revitalizing Body Lotion

Now this body cream contains a whooping 12% glycolic acid – stronger than the usual 10% that is recommended. It contains a host of other skincare ingredients too but it is not for sensitive skin.

If you have severe hyperpigmentation, this might be the thing for you but you should not use it all the way up to your groin and you should definitely patch test first.

If you have resilient skin, then this will be great for you. You also are most likely to experience some tingling when you first apply it.

I recommend this lotion with caution. Please do not use this if you are not sure about your skin’s tolerance.

You can Click here to see the Alpha Skin Care Revitalizing Body Lotion on Amazon.

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