Development of a w/o/w emulsion for chemical peeling applications containing glycolic acid.

Glycolic acid is a member of the AHA family, which occurs naturally in foods and has been used for centuries as a cutaneous rejuvenation treatment. It is used in many cosmetic products as an exfoliant and moisturizer. When glycolic acid is used in greater amounts, however, there are greater cosmetic benefits but also potential for skin irritation as far as burning increases. The aim of this work was to investigate the feasibility of a topical delivery system as a multiple emulsion combining glycolic acid, strontium nitrate, and dexpanthenol in order to optimize the acid's cosmetic properties and lowering its side effects.