Peter Thomas Roth 3 % Glycolic Acid Facial Wash and My Love for Glycolic Acid

The first time I used Peter Thomas Roth 3 % Glycolic Acid Wash was in 2002.  I was going through an incredibly stressful time, which showed in my skin.  It was at turns pale and dull, blotchy and uneven and I was experiencing horrendous breakouts and hyperpigmentation.

I knew I had to see someone about my skin, STAT! 

I went to a local esthetician and she recommended a treatment of glycolic acid, specifically Peter Thomas Roth glycolic acid products.  Back then I was still a skincare newbie.  I didn’t know what glycolic acid was.  She quickly schooled me on the Alpha Hydroxy Acids game, including glycolic acid.  I dutifully followed the regimen she prescribed for me and in a few weeks experienced skincare nirvana!  From that moment I was hooked on glycolic acid products, especially those by Peter Thomas Roth.

Peter Thomas Roth 3 % Glycolic Facial Wash ($32 for 8 oz.) is an oil-free wash that offers a gentle form of glycolic acid, plus pro vitamin B5 and allantoin, all working together to clarify and improve the texture of the skin, brighten dark spots, and fight fine lines and wrinkles. 

This facial wash is now firmly entrenched in my coterie of skincare staples.  I am never without a bottle of this in the beauty closet.

I use it mostly in the shower, allowing the steam open my pores so the cleanser can penetrate better.  I leave it on for the duration of the shower and then rinse it off.  I use a gentle antioxidant cream whenever I use this facial wash, as putting on another glycolic acid or other acidic moisturizer could cause skin redness and irritation.  I also use plenty of sunscreen when treating my skin with glycolic acid, since it will make the skin more sensitive to the sun.

So, why do I love glycolic acid…

Glycolic acid is the smallest of the Alpha Hydroxy Acids and thus better able to penetrate the skin than lactic, citric or mandelic acids.  This makes it the most effective acid to treat acne, blackheads, dullness, oiliness, fine lines, wrinkles, etc.  It is a great exfoliator and brightener for the skin.

It works by dissolving dead skin cells, which unclogs blocked pores and blackheads, as well as making pores appear smaller over time.  It works to restore the pH balance of skin.

Low concentrations of 5 to 10 percent glycolic acid are typically found in over-the-counter products.  The Peter Thomas Roth facial wash only contains 3 percent glycolic acid, making it more than safe to use daily.

The best glycolic acid products are the ones in moisturizers as they stay on your skin longer, giving the acid more time to work.  It is safe for daily use at these lower concentrations, but remember to always apply sunscreen when using glycolic acids.

Some of my other favorite glycolic acid products I am currently using include:

Mario Badescu Glycolic Foaming Cleanser ($15) This wash is a more affordable alternative to the Peter Thomas Roth facial wash.  It is just as effective at exfoliating skin, tackling discoloration and brightening skin.

Mario Badescu Glycolic Acid Toner ($18-56) I love to use this gentle 2 percent glycolic acid toner in the mornings.  It is very refreshing and wakes up my skin when it is dull and lackluster.

PETER THOMAS ROTH Glycolic Acid 10 percent Hydrating Gel ($48) I use this in the evenings as an overnight peel and brightening treatment.  I’ve been using it as long as I’ve been using the 3 % facial wash.