What are the differences between glycolic acid vs salicylic acid?

Are you familiar with glycolic acid and salicylic acid? Maybe the answer is No. So before talking about the topic of “glycolic acid vs salicylic acid”, their basic information is introduced. Glycolic acid is one kind of organic compound, whose chemical formula is C₂H₄O₃. It is soluble in water, soluble in ethyl acetate, and ethanol, slightly soluble in ether, and insoluble in hydrocarbons. 

Glycolic acid not only has one carboxylic group but also has one hydroxyl group. So it has the characteristics of alcohol and carboxylic acid. As an acid, it can form salts, esters, amides, and so on. As an alcohol, it can form esters with other organic acids, and ethyl ester can be produced by itself through the way of esterification.

Salicylic acid is a kind of organic acid, chemical formula C₇H₆O₃, with a white crystalline powder. In the aspect of solubility, it is lightly soluble in cold water and easily soluble in hot water, ethanol, and acetone. In the process of producing fine chemicals, such as medicine, spices, and rubber additives, salicylic acid is an important raw material. This product is almost odorless and its aqueous solution can make an acidic reaction.

Glycolic acid vs salicylic acid

The differences between glycolic acid and salicylic acid are as follows, including properties, effects, irritants, toxicity, and so on.

1. Different nature of glycolic acid vs salicylic acid

In clinical practice, glycolic acid, β-hydroxic acid, is a kind of water-soluble acid with colorless. It is easy to delix crystal in appearance. Salicylic acid belongs to β-hydroxic acid and is a fat-soluble acid. 

2. Different function of glycolic acid vs salicylic acid

Both glycolic acid and salicylic acid are usual drugs in dermatology. Salicylic acid can quickly remove the cuticle of the skin and relieve acne marks and scars to a certain extent. The secretion of skin oil can be controlled, which can reach the effects of shrinking pores and making the skin more tender. Glycolic acid generally does not have this effect.

Glycolic acid can be used to improve the smoothness of the skin mainly through the way to accelerating the renewal of epidermal cells and reducing the thickness of the stratum corneum and its exfoliation. It is mainly used to produce skin care products for exfoliating, anti-wrinkle, and even skin tone.

Glycolic acid and salicylic acid are clinically used for fruit acid skin care. Glycolic acid can be used for manufacturing detergent and soap. Besides, it plays a vital role in producing complexes for chemical nickel-plating, and is used as raw material for organic synthesis, and so on. Salicylic acid can also be applied to make preservatives, drugs, and blowing agents.

3. Different pungent to skin of glycolic acid vs salicylic acid

Both glycolic acid and salicylic acid can release keratinocytes and unclog pores, but salicylic acid has relatively little irritation.

4. Different toxicity to skin of glycolic acid vs salicylic acid

Glycolic acid is commonly only poisonous to the skin, mucous membranes, and upper respiratory tract to a certain extent, but the scope of its toxicity is relatively small. However, salicylic acid has certain toxicity to the liver, kidney, central nervous system, digestive system, and circulatory system. In severe conditions, poisoning can even be complicated by coma, shock, respiratory failure, and so on.

5. Glycolic acid and salicylic acid are used to heal different diseases

Acne, tinea capitis, tinea versicolor, and other skin illnesses can be healed by Glycolic acid, while salicylic acid is usually applied to cure seborrheic dermatitis, acne, rosacea, and other diseases. Taking these medications should follow the suggestion of a doctor.

6. Different side effects of glycolic acid and salicylic acid

Glycolic acid may result in pigmentation of the skin when it is often used because it has the effect of decolorization. Salicylic acid has a certain irritation, it may lead to certain damage to the skin if it is used too much.

Conclusion: 

In the end, this brings us to conclude our essay on the topic of “glycolic acid vs salicylic acid”. There are many differences between glycolic acid and salicylic acid, including different characteristics, and different effects for human skin. They can treat different diseases and have different side effects if they are overcommitted, so it is necessary to obey the doctors’ advice.