Managing Acne and Acne Scarring with Exfoliation through Glycolic Acid
- George Woodbury Jr MD
- 3 hours ago
- 5 min read
by Memphis Dermatologist George Woodbury Jr. M.D. (10/12/2025)
Exfoliation is the process by which the skin renews itself with new cells in the Epidermis, through release of older cells. Dermatologists like myself have used a variety of Alpha Hydroxy Acid chemicals to promote exfoliating by the skin, to help our patients with Acne and Acne Scarring or Acne Scars.
One particularly effective Alpha Hydroxy Acid is Glycolic Acid, originally discovered in sugarcane and pineapple.
So the Dermatologists at Big River Silk Skincare are excited to announce GlycoShea Facial&Neck Lotion and GlycoShea Hand&Body Lotion for Spring 2026, with Refined Shea Butter married with Glycolic Acid, for your best smile.
As a Memphis Dermatologist since 1993, I have spent a fair amount of my career helping patients deal with Acne and Acne Scarring. Glycolic Acid, originally discovered in sugarcane and pineapple, is an Alpha Hydroxy Acid that improves what’s called the Cell Cycle of the Epidermis of the skin, acting as a gentle skin peeling agent to renew the Epidermis.
So starting in 2016 I started designing exfoliating moisturizer products containing Glycolic Acid. Now, a company of which I am President, Big River Silk Skincare Inc., manufactures and distributes GlycoShea Facial&Neck Lotion and AmberSoy Soap Gel: fragrance-free Exfoliating Moisturizer and Acne cleanser or Acne wash. These products are parabens-free moisturizer, sulfate-free moisturizer, and formaldehyde-free moisturizer.
Acne is due to a clogging of the openings of the pores to the surface of the skin’s Epidermis, so prescription Acne treatment available through Dermatologists like myself include oral antibiotics like doxycycline and minocycline, with prescription topicals (meaning “on top of the skin”) for blackheads (comedones), papules, or cystic acne: Tretinoin Cream, differin gel (Adapalene), benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid, or topical dapsone. Sometimes we consider a five months’ course of an oral medicine called isotretinoin treatment (Accutane treatment), therapy which dries up the oil glands and which is often highly effective, but which also involves strict avoidance of pregnancy while on treatment, and monthly labwork to monitor cholesterol levels. Sometimes Dermatologists also look at hormonal therapies, like spironolactone pills, or even birth control pills.
Acne scars can traditionally be treated with topical (meaning for use “on top of” the skin) Glycolic Acid, with a treatment called a chemical peel, with prescription creams called retinoids (like Retin A Cream), with a cosmetic treatment called dermabrasion or with laser therapy.
In 2025, Dermatologists also have a new oral antibiotic which seems to have a quicker onset of action – Sarecycline – and a newer retinoid gel – Aklief® (trifarotene). There is also a variation of acne – called fungal acne – which can be treated with prescription antifungal medicines. We also have a topical hormone-regulating medication - Winlevi® (clascoterone) – to complement existing Aczone® (dapsonel Gel, Finacea® (azelaic acid) gel, Duac® Gel (benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin), Epiduo® (benzoyl peroxide/adapalene), and Ziana® (tretinoin/clindamycin).
Big River Silk Skincare’s GlycoShea Lotions also include the skin-moisturizing properties of Refined Shea Butter, a natural product from an African tree, to complement the skin-smoothing antiwrinkle cream effect of Glycolic Acid. At Big River Silk Skincare, we blend these components into what’s called an emulsion, using some of the purest natural water in the United States, from the Memphis Sands.
The GlycoShea Lotions work well with use of Big River Silk Skincare’s AmberSoy Soap Gel as a skin cleanser. For instance, AmberSoy Soap Gel can be used as a deep cleanser in the morning, then GlycoShea Lotion can then be applied afterwards as an Exfoliating Moisturizer. Big River Silk Skincare also manufactures GlycoShea Facial&Neck Cream and GlycoShea Facial&Neck Oil as alternate versions of this Exfoliating Moisturizer product for people with drier skin.
Ambersoy is a particularly effective cleanser because it can be used as a face or body mask, perhaps 5-10 minutes before rinsing it off. It’s most suitable for people with oily skin or combination skin, for a particularly deep clean. Best of all, Big River’s AmberSoy has no propylene glycol, no sulfates, no dyes, nor parabens. Available in No Fragrance Added. 1 oz: $14.95/2 oz: $22.95/8 oz: $74.95.
If you suffer from complexion issues like Acne or Keratosis Pilaris, consider getting a check-up with a Board-certified Dermatologist. Prescription treatments often include Retin A Cream or Gel (Tretinoin) or Azelex Gel. Sometimes oral antibiotics or even Accutane (isotretinoin) prove helpful. My own Board-certified Memphis Dermatology or Memphis Dermatology practice has been with Rheumatology and Dermatology Associates since 1993, at 8143 Walnut Grove Road, Cordova TN 38018 (1-901-753-0168). Or you can find a “Best Dermatologist Near Me” or “Best Dermatologists Near Me” by going to the American Academy of Dermatology website, AAD.org, then plugging your zip code into the “Find a Dermatologist” tab.
GlycoShea Facial&Neck Lotion/Standard Strength: 1 oz: $45.95/2 oz; $68.95;8 oz; $229.95
GlycoShea Hand&Body Lotion/Standard Strength: 1 oz: $22.95/2 oz: $34.95/8 oz: $114.95.
For quicker results, with a higher concentration of Glycolic Acid, Big River Silk Skincare also offers:
GlycoShea Facial&Neck Lotion/High Strength: 1 oz: $55.95/2 oz; $83.95;8 oz; $279.95
GlycoShea Hand&Body Lotion/High Strength: 1 oz: $34.95/2 oz: $52.95/8 oz: $174.95.
All of Big River Silk Skincare’s products are available for pick-up on site at our company headquarters, at 8143 Walnut Grove Road, Cordova TN 38018: Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM, or they can ordered by calling 1-901-753-0168, or ordered at www.Bigriversilkskincare.com. Free USPS shipping for orders over $75.00, otherwise $7.50 shipping and handling).
Thanks for your interest.
George Woodbury Jr. M.D.
President of Big River Silk Skincare Inc.
Rheumatology and Dermatology Associat
8143 Walnut Grove Road
Cordova TN 38018
1-901-753-0168
10/12/2025
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