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Jun 13, 2023

23 best glycolic acid products, per editors and dermatologists

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If you struggle at times with acne or hyperpigmentation (or both) and simply want glowing, magazine cover-ready skin, glycolic acid is what you call a "superstar ingredient" that — over time — may help you achieve what you’re after.

In a closer lens, glycolic acid is an ingredient that helps tackle the holy grail of skincare concerns you may want to rid yourself of: transforming uneven skin texture into a smooth surface to work with, removing unwanted dead skin cells (that, if not removed, can lead to makeup pilling) and treating surface-level breakouts.

"Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid [AHA] from sugar cane [that] helps to re-texturize skin for firmer and brighter looking skin via speeding up cell turnover," Ginger King, cosmetic chemist and beauty expert, told the New York Post. "Typically, look for a skincare ingredient with five to 10% glycolic acid and use daily, unless you have super sensitive skin — then use three to five times a week."

While we recommend consulting your dermatologist for receiving a personalized opinion on whether glycolic acid makes sense in your skincare routine, we tapped a team of skincare experts — specifically, a cosmetic chemist and a board-certified dermatologist — to appropriately speak on glycolic acid ingredients, how it measures up to other skincare add-ins (think: retinol and salicylic acid) and more in our in-depth FAQ section.

Not to mention, New York Post Shopping outlined the best glycolic acid products we’ve been using for a year or more in our editors’ picks section below, following expert-backed recommendations.

Click to jump to a specific section:

"This is a great product that gently exfoliates the skin," Marina Peredo, MD, a board-certified dermatologist specializing in aesthetic dermatology and associate clinical professor at Mount Sinai Hospital with 32 years of experience, told The Post. "It has 8% glycolic acid and gently exfoliates without stripping the skin of moisture."

More specifically, because its 8% glycolic acid count is derived from sugar cane, its powerful fruit acid formulation helps stimulate the skin's natural exfoliation process to minimize the buildup of dead skin cells. In turn, it’ll help promote cell turnover (aka, increasing the production of new skin cells while ridding yourself of the unwanted, dead ones) and removing impurities — helping your makeup stay on longer, too.

We’ve been following skincare ingredients for years, and when we think of glycolic acid, we always think of The Ordinary's Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toning Solution. For less than $15, you’ll appreciate its oil-free make — especially if you have oily skin — and its thoughtful inclusion of aloe vera to help soothe the skin.

"This is rather affordable, and can [help] get brighter and firmer skin," King says, recommending the product.

Ah, if it isn't for CeraVe — a favorite among countless dermatologists, namely for the brand being relatively affordable and widely accessible. It's especially fitting for mature skin, as it helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and doubles as a dark spot corrector over time.

"This is a great drugstore option that is make with 5% glycolic acid to help remove dead skin cells and has hyaluronic acid to hydrate and moisturize," Peredo notes.

If we could write a love letter to Dr. Dennis Gross, we would. The board-certified dermatologist's Alpha Beta Extra Strength Daily Peel Pads are second to none, especially for providing you with a seamless addition to your skincare routine, sandwiched between your cleanser (likely the brand's AHA/BHA Daily Cleansing Gel; a personal favorite of ours) and favorite moisturizer.

"It's easy to use as it comes in packs and it leaves skin smooth," King says.

Though a splurge, the ALASTIN Skincare ReSURFACE Skin Polish boasts dual-action exfoliation to gently and effectively sweep away dead skin cells. More, it's suitable for most skin types and, per before-and-after photos on the brand's site, yield tangible benefits over time — specifically two weeks for one patient with mature skin.

"I like this product because it has both glycolic acid and volcanic minerals to remove dead skin cells and hydrate skin," Peredo highlights. "It brightens and hydrates skin, making it look smoother."

What's great about the L’Oreal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives 10% Pure Glycolic Acid Serum is its fan-adored line. If you want the high-end skincare benefits without the high-end price, less-than-$35 is a sweet spot for this nourishing serum with a recommended glycolic count of 10% — the expert-recommended max to look for.

Upon using this product, I noticed my skin felt even and the skin texture on my face noticeably diminished into being both uniform and smooth. Plus, nearly 9,000 skin-care enthusiasts on Amazon feel the same.

If you have sensitive skin, La Roche-Posay is likely a brand you’ve heard of. Even better, its Glycolic Acid Serum contains vitamin B5, which, according to a 2014 study in Dermatology and Therapy, significantly reduces inflammation for those with mild to moderate facial acne.

This consciously curated formulation also includes kojic acid, a lesser-known ingredient that, according to a 2022 study in Cosmetics, is helpful in lightening the skin and clinically helping to diminish the appearance of hyperpigmentation, though more research on this ingredient is needed for a fuller-picture long-term.

What's more, this particular serum is fragrance-free, so recommended for those with sensitive skin (which I can attest to). It's also oil-free and non-comedogenic (meaning, it doesn't clog pores), so it's suitable for oily skin as well.

After a long day, there's nothing I love more than applying Alpyn Beauty's Wild Huckleberry 8-Acid Polishing Peel Mask to my face knowing its ingredients were hand-picked by the brand's founder, Kendra Kolb Butler, from Wyoming national forests.

Not only is the brand one of my favorites I reviewed but this gentle-on-the-skin, soothing mask is one everyone should try at least once. It makes my skin have a natural glow thereafter and I love how it's a wash-off mask, tying my skincare routine together with a sustainable bow.

For a gentle facial exfoliant, Indie Lee's AHA Exfoliating Solution is what I recommend. Though it's just over $50 in price, it’ll last you quite a while, thanks to its generously sized bottle.

Because this formula is a blend of glycolic and lactic acids, it's one of the best for helping reverse the look of dull skin. With a touch of niacinamide to help make the skin more supple and a dash of aloe and chamomile to soothe, it's a wonderful blend that's worth your counter space.

The Dermalogica Daily Glycolic Cleanser is a true leader in the cleansing department for sensitive and dry skin, specifically. Whenever I throw it on (you know, as they do in the commercials), my skin instantly feels replenished. Not to mention, if I happen to break out, using this formula helps dial down the blemishes. In short, it's one of my favorites to use, and it carrying glycolic acid in its ingredient list is simply a bonus.

You’ve likely heard that drinking kombucha is a smart way to up your daily antioxidants count, so why not infuse some of it into a glycolic acid-immersed exfoliant? Shop Youth To The People's Kombucha + 10% AHA Liquid Exfoliant mimics kombucha's healthful benefits — but for your skin rather than your immune system.

This fragrance-free formula never ceases to give my skin a hydrating boost, along with brightening my skin. In addition to containing 3% glycolic acid — within our team of expert's recommended count — it also contains 7% lactic acid to help fade the appearance of dark spots.

Body lotions deserve the skin benefits of glycolic acid, too, and Drunk Elephant's T.L.C. Glycolic Body Lotion stands tall and proud in my bathroom. Adorable pink bottle aside, this 10% AHA blend is also infused with shea butter to help nurture dry skin and improve the texture of the skin barrier.

Gleaming with a galactic and alluring potion-like bottle, the Herbivore Botanicals Prism 12% Exfoliating Serum is truly out of this world. I love traveling with it, too (calling all the skin-care enthusiasts who don't want to pack a Sephora shopping's cart load of skincare products), as this doubles as your facial exfoliant, too.

This formulation contains a plant-derived AHA blend of glycolic, lactic and malic acids, along with vitamin C from kakadu plum to help brighten, while soothing aloe vera and hyaluronic acid add extra nourishment and hydration. Out of all the glycolic acid ingredient blends, this particular product checks our expert recommendations for glycolic acid (read: FAQ section) and is ultra-impressive.

For those looking for peel pads that help brighten the skin and eliminate dead skin cells, Peter Thomas Roth's relatively new Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Peel Pads are ones to consider. However, there's one caveat: our team of experts don't recommend mixing glycolic acid and retinol together — as both ingredients tend to be drying — but I use these sporadically when my skin tends to be oily and have found my skin to be well-nurtured after.

However, these may not be recommended for ultra-dry and sensitive skin types.

There's something about Mario Badescu's roster of products that makes my skin do a happy dance. Its Glycolic Acid Toner is one of those star formulations that never lets me down, thanks to its addition of aloe vera that helps soothe, soothe away. For less than $20, it's worth a try.

OK, OK, I know spending $105 on a glycolic acid serum may seem out of line, but think about it: if you’re not looking to use this every day (and even if you are, for that matter), the Alpha-H Liquid Gold Midnight Reboot Serum is one of the best in its class.

It does contain 14% glycolic acid, so this product is definitely apt for advanced glycolic acid skin-care users (like myself). It's one of the best hydrating products that's still tuned in to anti-aging — and for that, it's worth every penny.

Meet the cleanser I’ve sworn by for more than two years: Alpyn Beauty's Creamy Bubbling Cleanser with Vitamin C & AHAs. It's truly a dreamboat for your skin, thanks to helping smooth the skin tone and foaming away those unwanted dead skin cells while also brightening — thanks to that helpful vitamin C boost. If that doesn't sell you, rest assured that the brand is dedicated to incorporating the best of the best ingredients (read: Alpyn Beauty feature & review) that your skin will thank you for.

After washing your face with Alpyn Beauty's Creamy Bubbling Cleanser with Vitamin C & AHAs, turn to its PlantGenius Melt Moisturizer with Bakuchiol & Squalane — another glycolic acid-infused ingredient with a marshmallow-whipped, hydrating texture you’ll love. Even better, it's a sneaky way to incorporate anti-aging benefits to your skin (especially that retinol isn't 100% recommended with your glycolic acid product of choice), as bakuchiol is a clinically studied retinol-alternative.

According to our board-certified dermatologist expert, glycolic acid is recommended for nightly use for best results. So, the Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Famboos Glycolic Resurfacing Night Serum is the picture-perfect puzzle piece to add to your skincare routine — fitting name aside.

If you have sensitive skin, be wary that this product may not be the best for you (though, follow our expert tips: apply a dime-sized amount to the top of your hand to test for irritation). On my skin, I like to use this every so often because its gel-based formula helps to balance out my skin.

I think we should all bow down to OLEHENRIKSEN for coming out with its Dewtopia 20% PHA/AHA Retexturizing Night Serum. It's the definition of small but mighty, helping to make my skin quite literally bounce, which nods to the brand's claim of helping to "improve elasticity."

Even better, it's relatively unbeatable for helping to diminish the appearance of wrinkles (especially ‘smile lines’) and pores.

Wait, your new face mask is loading…

Perfect to apply and wash off, Caudalie's Vinoperfect Brightening Glycolic Peel Mask is a frontrunner for (1) its efficacy and (2) its swiftness; it's only a 10-minute mask! It's not suitable for sensitive skin, though, but I followed our expert's advice to test it on my hand before use, and it didn't irritate my wildly sensitive skin. However, just something to note.

It's wonderful at helping to refine the skin's texture too, and, after one year of use, found it to visibly brighten my skin.

Meet the as-seen-on-TikTok product that, yes, is as good as everyone's saying: First Aid Beauty's KP Bump Eraser Scrub with 10% AHA. Fairly priced at $30 and backed by nearly 29,500 rave reviews on Amazon alone, it's truly a life-saver in the shower (which, not to my surprise at least, given the brand's Ingrown Hair Pads with BHA & AHA are expert-recommended in our guide to preventing and treating razor burns).

With no artificial fragrance, it's lovely on sensitive skin, physically and gently exfoliates and is impeccable at washing away scaly areas. No more alligator skin, after all.

Word of advice? Run to Farmacy's Honeymoon Glow AHA Resurfacing Night Serum. It's a splurge, of course, but I’m running strong on my second bottle and am loving every minute of it. You don't have to be newly married to experience the glow this product takes you on (think: Hawaiian honeymoon and golden hour glow).

Over time, it truly does help eliminate dark spots and, while it's difficult to speak on how well it helps eliminate fine lines and wrinkles (largely in part because I’m in my early 20s), it's nice to know this product was formulated with anti-aging in mind.

Ahead, our team of skincare experts dial down glycolic acid in an easy-to-understand format, creating a cheat sheet to stash in your back pocket before shopping our expert- and editor-loved picks.

As mentioned, glycolic acid is a type of Alpha Hydroxy acid (AHA) that is derived from sugar cane, unripe grapes or sugar beets. Because it's highly soluble in water, it's used in many different skincare products, typically in AHAs.

"Glycolic acid can increase collagen production in the skin," Peredo tells The Post. "It gently exfoliates, removing the top layer of the skin and dead skin cells."

When using a product with glycolic acid, you don't need to scrub the skin because it naturally exfoliates, she notes. Glycolic acid helps even and smooth out the skin, too.

The percentage of a glycolic acid product you use largely depends on how sensitive your skin is, but Peredo recommends products that have around 5% glycolic acid.

"A lower percentage is ideal and I don't recommend going above 8%," she chimes in. "If you are new to glycolic acid, start with a product that has 1- to 2% and then work your way up."

Be sure to note that some of the editor-tested products we rounded up above may be formulated with more than 10% glycolic acid — the number King provides in her expert-backed suggestion. Ensure you use products with higher than a 10% count sporadically, especially if you have sensitive skin, and consult your dermatologist for further direction.

While King recommends using glycolic acid daily, it's important to ‘break in’ glycolic acid if you have sensitive skin. Ideally, you’ll want to use glycolic acid three to five times per week if that's the case.

Peredo also recommends using glycolic acid each day (naturally, because of its trifecta of benefits). "I recommend using it at night, because it can make your skin photosensitive to the sun," she advises. "If you have never used glycolic acid before, start by using it one to two times a week and then work your way up to more frequent usage."

According to King, you’ll want to follow these steps: Wash your face with a cleanser, follow up with a toner, use a glycolic acid-containing product of choice and then dab and gently rub in your favorite moisturizer.

More specifically, Peredo details a step-by-step skincare routine with dermatology-backed notes:

"Use glycolic acid products as part of your nightly skincare routine as it can make you more sensitive to the sun; glycolic acid can be used in your cleanser, toner or serum," she adds. "I recommend cleansing the face, applying a toner, the a serum and as your last step, moisturizing. Always moisturize after using glycolic acid as glycolic acid can make your skin dry and irritated."

If you have never used glycolic acid before, test the product on a small patch of skin to make sure you don't have a reaction, per Peredo. "If you notice you are more red or irritated than usual or develop a rash, stop using the product and consult with your dermatologist," she adds.

Keep in mind that glycolic acid can make your skin more sensitive to the sun and make the skin more irritated (which is why you’ll want to pick up one of the best facial sunscreens we rounded up). You should remember to moisturize twice a day and always wear SPF during the day, especially if you are going to be in the sun.

"Glycolic acid is ideal for those with normal, combination or oily skin," Peredo says. "Glycolic acid also prevents acne and clogged pores because it regulates sebum production."

Those with mature skin can use glycolic acid as well. And, if you have dry or sensitive skin, be careful with using this ingredient as it can be drying.

"Glycolic acid can cause very dry skin and sunburns if you have sensitive skin and are in the sun," Peredo warns. "Common side effects are itching, skin irritation, rashes or a burning sensation. It makes you sensitive to the sun, so you should make sure you are always wearing sunscreen."

King outlines what to know before using glycolic acid for every skin type:

"Glycolic acid mixes well with hyaluronic acid because the hyaluronic acid hydrates and moisturizes the skin," Peredo explains.

Because glycolic acid may dry the skin out, King also recommends hyaluronic acid — thanks to its douse of nourishment — and "any [other] moisturizing ingredients like glycerin, ceramides, niacinamide, peptides or vitamin C.

It's commonplace to want to cocktail your skincare ingredients together. After all, glycolic acid has a ton of skincare benefits alone, depending on your skin type, so why not throw anti-aging ingredient retinol into the mix?

However, King does not recommend mixing glycolic acid and retinol together, as doing so is doing the "double whammy" to your skin — drying out your skin more.

"Ingredients that also dry out skin include retinol, benzoyl peroxide or a physical exfoliator as glycolic acid," King lists. "Glycolic acid is a chemical exfoliator on its own, so don't do the double whammy."

Also be sure to note that you cannot use retinol if you’re pregnant or nursing. Read our expert-backed pregnancy skincare guide for more information and recommended products to pick up.

You should avoid using salicylic acid when using glycolic acid because they both are drying and the combination of both could cause a reaction, according to Peredo.

Not to mention, salicylic acid works especially well on acne-prone and oily skin types, so be sure to consult with your dermatologist if you’re looking to eliminate the appearance of acne on your face. In doing so, you’ll receive one-on-one advice surrounding how to skin-cycle glycolic acid, salicylic acid and your acne medication, if you’re using a prescribed formula.

Check out the New York Post Shopping section for more content.