GlyDerm skincare products are uniquely formulated with esterified glycolic acid. GlyDerm's proprietary esterification process allows for a time-released delivery of glycolic acid. This distinctive process allows GlyDerm to deliver gentle, full-potency glycolic acid without the unwanted irritation and clinical unpredictability of other glycolic formulations.

Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid, a naturally occurring compound found in milk and some plants. Alpha hydroxy acids have long been used on variety of skin conditions, including photoaged skin, and to reduce the signs of aging in skin. Glycolic acid is derived from the sugarcane plant. It has the smallest molecular size of any of the alpha hydroxy acids, allowing it to easily penetrate the outermost layers of the skin.

A common problem with alpha hydroxy preparations has been that, while effective, they can be very irritating and drying to the skin. To combat these problems, many products rely on neutralizing a portion of the acid to make it more tolerable. Once an acid is neutralized, however, it is rendered ineffective and can no longer work to rejuvenate the skin. Formulations that reduce a portion of the glycolic acid through partial neutralization increase tolerability but sacrifice potency.