CHEMICAL EXFOLIATION

Chemical exfoliants are substances that cause superficial skin cells to desquamate at an increased rate as a result of their ability to disrupt intercellular bonding within the stratum corneum. This effect on skin occurs through several different mechanisms as described below.

OH

CH—COOH

/

H

 

CHEMICAL EXFOLIATION

Glycolic Acid Lactic Acid Mandelic Acid

Figure 1 Alpha-hydroxy acids.

Updated: July 7, 2015 — 10:42 pm