Your Skincare Routine with Glycolic Acid (AHA)
For smooth, radiant, and refined skin, exfoliating with glycolic acid (AHA) is an effective step. Glycolic acid helps loosen dead skin cells, stimulates cell renewal, and visibly improves your skin’s texture. This routine guides you step by step, tailored to your experience with acids.
View Step-by-Step RoutineWhat is Glycolic Acid (AHA)?
Glycolic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) derived from sugar cane. It’s known for its powerful exfoliating action on the surface of the skin. Because of its small molecular size, it penetrates the skin quickly and helps to:
- Loosen dead skin cells
- Stimulate cell renewal
- Smooth out skin texture and even out skin tone
- Reduce the appearance of fine lines and pigmentation spots
- Restore radiance to the skin
It’s a favorite ingredient for those with dull, tired, dry, or mature skin, but also works well as a preventative treatment for normal skin that could use a little extra glow and refinement. In that case, using it once or twice a week is usually enough.
Since glycolic acid can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, it’s important to apply SPF 30 or higher every day during the day.
How Often Can You Use Products with Glycolic Acid (AHA)?
Are you a beginner?
Beginner = 1 to 3 weeks of using AHA products
If you're new to glycolic acid, gradually build up your routine. In the first few weeks, your skin may still be sensitive to acids, so it’s important to avoid over-exfoliating.
Are you more experienced?
Advanced = consistent use from week 4 onwards
After a few weeks of consistent use, your skin becomes more accustomed to glycolic acid. You can then slowly increase the frequency, as long as your skin stays balanced and comfortable.
Products with Glycolic Acid (AHA)
Your Step-by-Step Routine with Glycolic Acid (AHA)
When following an AHA routine, it’s important to combine products carefully to avoid skin irritation. Introduce glycolic acid gradually, use it only in the evening, and pay close attention to how your skin responds, especially if you’re new to acids.
⚠️On days when you use AHA, choose either the AHA Toner or the AHA Lotion Exfoliant, but never both. Also avoid using other active ingredients such as BHA, retinol, or vitamin C that day to prevent overloading your skin.
The routine shows an example of how to build your skincare plan.
1
Cleanse
Always start your routine with a clean face. Use a cleanser such as the Skin Cleanser with Tea Tree Oil to remove dirt, excess sebum, and makeup.
⚠️ Do not use a BHA Cleanser on the same day you apply AHA products.
2
Tone
After cleansing, apply the Soothing Rose Toner to calm and hydrate your skin. A few times a week, you can choose the AHA Toner instead, a toner and exfoliant combined in one product.
A toner helps restore your skin’s natural pH balance and removes any remaining traces of dirt. The AHA Toner does this too, but also gently exfoliates the skin’s surface for a smoother, more even complexion.
Recommended use AHA Toner
Beginners: 2 times per week, for example on Monday and Thursday evenings
Advanced users: Every other evening
⚠️ Do not combine with the AHA Lotion Exfoliant on the same day, or with other acids such as BHA, retinol, or vitamin C.
2.5
Exfoliate
The AHA Lotion Exfoliant removes dead skin cells, stimulates cell renewal, and refines skin texture. Apply with a cotton pad or clean hands onto dry skin.
Recommended use AHA Lotion Exfoliant
Beginners: 2 times per week, for example on Wednesday and Sunday evenings
Advanced users: Every other evening
⚠️ Do not combine with the AHA Toner on the same day, or with other acids such as BHA, retinol, or vitamin C.
3
Treat
Apply a hydrating serum, such as the Hyaluronic Serum, to soothe and rehydrate your skin after exfoliation.
⚠️ Avoid serums with retinol, vitamin C, or BHA on days you use AHA products.
4
Moisturize
Finish your routine with a nourishing cream, such as the Hyaluronic Day & Night Cream. This cream hydrates the skin, helps retain moisture, and supports the skin barrier. Use morning and evening.
⚠️ Do not use moisturizers with other acids such as retinol or vitamin C on AHA days.
5
Sun Protection (morning only))
Daily sun protection is essential when using exfoliating acids. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 50 every morning. This helps prevent UV damage, premature aging, and pigmentation.
1. Reinigen
Start je routine altijd met een schone huid. Gebruik een cleanser zoals de Skin cleanser met tea tree olie om vuil, overtollig talg en make-up te verwijderen.
⚠️ Gebruik op dagen dat je AHA-producten gebruikt geen BHA Cleanser.
2. Herstellen
Gebruik na het reinigen de Soothing Rose Toner voor een kalmerend en hydraterend effect. Enkele keren per week kun je kiezen voor de AHA Toner. Dit is een combinatie van toner én exfoliant in één product.
Een toner herstelt de pH-waarde van je huid en verwijdert de laatste restjes vuil. De AHA Toner doet dat ook, maar exfolieert daarnaast ook het huidoppervlak op milde wijze voor een gladdere, egalere huid.
Aanbevolen gebruik AHA Toner
Advies voor Beginners: 2 keer in de week, bijvoorbeeld op maandag- en donderdagavond.
Advies voor Gevorderden: om de avond.
⚠️ Niet combineren met de AHA Lotion Exfoliant op dezelfde dag, of met andere zuren zoals BHA, retinol of vitamine C
2.5. Exfoliëren
De AHA Lotion Exfoliant verwijdert dode huidcellen, stimuleert celvernieuwing en verfijnt de huidtextuur. Breng aan met een wattenschijfje of direct met schone handen op een droge huid.
Aanbevolen gebruik AHA Lotion Exfoliant
Advies voor Beginners: 2 keer in de week, bijvoorbeeld op woensdag- en zondagavond
Advies voor Gevorderden: om de avond
⚠️ Niet combineren met de AHA Toner op dezelfde dag, of met andere zuren zoals BHA, retinol of vitamine C.
3. Behandelen
Gebruik een hydraterend serum, zoals het Hyaluronic Serum, om de huid na exfoliatie te kalmeren en te hydrateren.
⚠️ Vermijd op AHA-dagen serums met retinol, vitamine C of BHA.
4. Voeden
Sluit je routine af met een voedende crème, zoals de Hyaluronic Day & Night Cream. Deze crème hydrateert, helpt het vochtgehalte vasthouden en ondersteunt de huidbarrière. Gebruik ’s ochtends en 's avonds.
⚠️ Gebruik op dagen dat je AHA gebruikt geen crème met andere zuren zoals retinol of vitamine C.
5. Zonnebrandcrème (in de ochtend)
Zéker bij gebruik van exfoliërende zuren is bescherming overdag onmisbaar. Breng elke ochtend de breedspectrum zonnebrandcrème met SPF 50 aan. Dit voorkomt UV-schade, vroegtijdige huidveroudering en pigmentvlekken.
Tip: Struggling with body blemishes?
Use the BHA Body Spray to effectively treat clogged pores and breakouts on the body. For a deeper cleanse, combine it with the BHA Cleanser in the shower. This duo purifies the skin, reduces oil buildup, and helps prevent new blemishes from forming.
Combining Glycolic Acid (AHA)
Preferably avoid on the same day
- Multiple glycolic acid (AHA) products
- BHA’s like salicylic acid
- Retinoids / Retinol
- Vitamin C
- Mechanical scrubs with grains
Safe combinations
- Hyaluronic acid
- Q10
- Niacinamide
- Rose water
- Calendula
- Ceramides
- Aloe vera
- Squalane
- SPF
Frequently Asked Questions
Extra Tips for Healthy Skin
- Wash your hands before every skincare step
- Wait 30–60 seconds between each step to let products absorb
- Do not exfoliate irritated or damaged skin
- Be patient, consistency is more important than speed
- Don’t forget your neck and décolleté in your routine
- Nourish your skin from the inside too: eat a healthy, varied diet, drink plenty of water, and support your skin with the Collagen Complex
