# Glycolic Expansion Glycolic acid use is expanding into different forms of personal care. By [Mishal Omar](https://www.trendhunter.com/MishalO) | Published Feb 1, 2022 | Category: [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/style-and-fashion-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/glycolic-expansion ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.4/10 - Evidence articles: 6 ## What is the Glycolic Expansion trend? **Glycolic Expansion:** Glycolic acid has become popular in skincare, most often as an active ingredient in serums and toners. Now, the ingredient is being incorporated into alternative skincare products that include everything from bar soaps to deodorizing pads. ## The consumer insight behind the Glycolic Expansion trend Consumers being more knowledgeable about skincare now works to the advantage of cosmetic companies that want to expand their collections. As consumers seek out effective and potent ingredients in this space, brands are able to adapt by incorporating familiar ingredients into new and unlikely formats. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 6 featured examples - Articles from: May 2, 2020 to Jan 21, 2022 - Published: Feb 1, 2022 - Patterns: [Convergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/convergence) - Megatrends: [Hybridization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/hybridization) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Glycolic Expansion trend ### Expanding Use of Glycolic Acid in Skincare As consumers seek out effective and potent ingredients, brands are adapting by incorporating familiar ingredients such as glycolic acid into new and unlikely formats. ### Whole-Body Skincare Products are Incorporating Hero Ingredients Inspired by skincare, brands are creating whole-body skincare products that incorporate hero ingredients that are effective for their deeply hydrating or gently exfoliating properties. ### Specialized Hair Treatments for a Dry Scalp Consumers are investing in specialized hair treatments that offer care beyond what the average shampoo or conditioner provides--such as the Malin+Goetz Detox Scalp Mask that cleans away dead skin cells, product buildup, and excess oil from a dry scalp. ## What the Glycolic Expansion trend means for industry ### For Cosmetics With knowledgeable skincare consumers, many cosmetic companies can leverage the expanding use of glycolic acid and create products such as Surface Deep's Anti-Odor pads made with fruit-based glycolic acid. ### For Hair Care Brands such as Malin+Goetz are taking advantage of the trend of specialized hair treatments for a dry scalp and creating products like their Detox Scalp Mask that leaves hair looking fuller after a quick five-minute treatment. ### For Skincare Pro-Derm's new AHA-BHA lotions demonstrates how the skincare industry is enhancing the ingredient offerings that contain glycolic acid and salicylic to gently evict dead skin cells and reduce signs of premature aging while preventing acne breakouts, ingrown hairs, blackheads, and keratosis pilaris. ## Workshop question How is your brand capitalizing off consumers' expanding industry knowledge? ## Trend signals for Glycolic Expansion Trend score 3.4 out of 10, from popularity 50%, activity 41%, freshness 11%. - Popularity: 50% - Activity: 41% - Freshness: 11% ## Examples of the Glycolic Expansion trend 6 featured examples from May 2, 2020 to Jan 21, 2022. - [Roll-On Ingrown Tonics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/topicals-high-roller): Topicals' High Roller is a Liquid Cocktail to Soothe Shaving Irritation (Category: Fashion) Implication: High Roller is a multi-use ingrown tonic that can disrupt the personal care industry. - [Leave-In Exfoliant Pads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/exfoliant-pads): Skinfix’s Resurface+ AHA/BHA Enzyme Exfoliating Pads Address Dullness (Category: Fashion) Implication: The skincare industry can develop and market targeted multi-functional products with new ingredients, such as enzymes. - [Glycolic Body Bars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cleansing-body-bar): Alder New York's Cleansing Body Bar Contains 1% Glycolic Acid (Category: Fashion) Implication: Integrating hero ingredients like glycolic acid from face care into body care, giving rise to a new segment of the skincare market. - [Deodorizing Biodegradable Pads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/biodegradable-pads): Surface Deep's Anti-Odor Pads Replace Deodorant (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Companies in the personal care industry can adapt to the growing demand for eco-friendly and natural products by innovating and introducing new alternatives to traditional deodora… - [Detoxifying Scalp Masks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/scalp-mask): The Malin+Goetz Detox Scalp Mask Removes Buildup, Dead Cells & Excess Oil (Category: Fashion) Implication: Opportunity for beauty brands to develop specialized hair treatments and scalp detox products. - [Exfoliating Body Skincare](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ahabha-lotions): Pro-Derm Recently Debuted the New AHA-BHA Lotions (Category: Fashion) Implication: The skincare industry can incorporate advanced AHA-BHA formulas and personalize solutions to cater to different skin types and exfoliating needs. ## Recent trend clusters - [Scaled Restraint](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/small-luxury-watches) (Fashion) - [Sneaker Theater](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sneaker-theater) (Fashion) - [Ritual Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/ritual-systems) (Fashion) - [Athletic Styling](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/athletic-styling) (Fashion) ## Trending in Fashion - [Paisley-Shelled Collector Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paisley-shelled-collector-sneakers) - [Fruit-Inspired Digital Watches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/themed-wristwatches) - [Deluxe Beauty Advent Calendars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/classic-and-prestige) - [Modular Winter Wardrobes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/moose-knuckles-fallwinter-2026) All articles: [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion)