Top 5 Glycolic Acid Benefits for Hair

1. Keeps the scalp balanced

Like your skin, your scalp operates on its own skin cell renewal process.

However, certain scalp concerns can throw off this natural cycle, either accelerating or slowing scalp skin cell turnover.

A lot of hair concerns – like dehydration, dandruff, and excess oil – stem from scalp imbalances. For example, accelerated scalp skin cell turnover plays a significant role in the formation of dandruff. Glycolic acid benefits the scalp and hair through gentle exfoliation, addressing imbalances that can impede growth and vitality.

2. Regulates excess oil

Being a chemical exfoliant, glycolic acid penetrates the scalp surface, dissolving sebum and product buildup that gives hair its greasy texture and appearance.

This quality makes glycolic acid especially compatible with oily or flaky scalps. When you have an oily scalp, it can be easy to over-exfoliate – but this can kick your sebum production into overdrive. However, glycolic acid is a gentle hydroxy acid that maintains hydration to avoid disrupting the natural oils that your scalp needs to lubricate itself.

3. Smooths and refines hair

When your hair is dehydrated, strands can feel coarse and rough – and have a higher chance of developing frizz.

Glycolic acid hair care products help by imparting moisture to the cuticle, which helps smooth and refine the texture of strands. This makes glycolic acid particularly useful for frizz-prone hair types . Roughed up, dehydrated cuticles tend to give the hair a lacklustre appearance, so glycolic acid’s smoothing benefits can also help amplify shine.

4. Improves absorption of other products

One of the major advantages of gentle scalp exfoliation is that it readies the scalp for other essential nutrients. Scalp buildup – which includes sebum, sweat, dirt, pollution, and product residue – can interfere with the efficacy of your other hair care products.

Thankfully, though, glycolic acid hair care products can help remove this scalp buildup and improve the absorption of other hair serums and treatments.

5. Helps prevent hair breakage

As a humectant, glycolic acid benefits hair by boosting moisture retention. Hydrated strands are resilient strands, so by lubricating the hair shaft and penetrating the hair cuticle, it helps counteract brittleness, tangles, frizz, and breakage.

The result? Hair that is softer, shinier, and more manageable.

Some hair types – like curly hair – are more porous than others, so this moisture-locking ingredient can be particularly beneficial for textured hair.

How to use glycolic acid in your hair care routine

You can enjoy the benefits of glycolic acid for hair with the Kérastase Gloss Absolu Collection. Powered by a fusion of glycolic acid, hyaluronic acid, and wild rose in oil, the Gloss Absolu collection control frizz and gives the hair a smooth, plumped up effect, while delivering a lasting glossy sheen.

Ready? Follow our four-step routine below.

1. Bathe with Bain Hydra-Glaze Illuminating Shampoo: Start by cleansing the hair and scalp with the Bain Hydra-Glaze Illuminating Shampoo. Massage into wet hair, working into a rich lather before rinsing thoroughly. For a deeper cleanse, repeat.


2. Treat with Insta Glaze Conditioner: Imbue the hair with lasting hydration using the Insta Glaze Conditioner. Apply onto the lengths and ends of wet hair, leaving for three to five minutes before rinsing.


3. Protect with Anti-Frizz Glaze Milk: Heat protection is essential to minimise damage and dehydration to strands. So before styling, apply the Anti-Frizz Glaze Milk onto wet lengths and ends. This product smooths, detangles, hydrates, and provides up to 230°C heat protection.


4. Nourish with Glaze Drops Hair Oil: For instant, unparalleled shine, bounce, and frizz control, apply the Glaze Drops High-Gloss Lightweight Hair Oil through the lengths and ends of either dry or towel-dried hair.

Now that you’ve studied up on the top glycolic acid benefits, it’s time for a deep dive into the advantages of another of Kérastase’s hero ingredients: glycine for hair.