Glycolic acid is one of the best multitasking skin-care ingredients out there, and it’s finally getting the recognition it deserves. According to Spate, interest in glycolic acid cleansers and body products has surged. The alphahydroxy acid (AHA) is prized for its exfoliating properties, helping promote brighter, smoother skin without excessive irritation.
“Glycolic acid is the gold standard chemical exfoliator known for breaking down the bonds between overdue keratinocytes that need to shed, and ultimately aids in the process of skin cell turnover,” cosmetic chemists Victoria Fu and Gloria Lu previously told us. “This is a very basic but crucial process for skin, because when this process slows down, it can lead to a cascade of skin issues that include slowing down other cell processes, skin dullness and dry skin.”
We’ve rounded up the best glycolic acid cleansers to kick off your routine, ahead.
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Glycolic acid is the headliner for Glytone’s products, and this gel cleanser is a bestseller. It gently exfoliates and hydrates the skin, promoting a smoother, refreshed complexion. The formula is well-suited for aging, normal to oily skin and uneven skin tone. It’s also a great option to use ahead of in-office procedures to help prep the skin and enhance results.
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This daily exfoliating cleanser helps transform dull, rough skin into a brighter, clearer complexion. The highly concentrated formula, featuring 8 percent glycolic acid and 1 percent phytic acid, helps promote a healthy-looking glow.
3 / 6
A personal favorite, I’ve gone through multiple bottles of this exfoliating cleanser. Packed with a mix of acids—glycolic, lactic, citric, malic and salicylic—it helps smooth texture and even skin tone. Plus, the jojoba spheres add a subtle exfoliating feel, making application a more elevated sensorial experience.
4 / 6
This brightening cleanser is the perfect polishing step to work into your routine, used one to three times a week to help reduce dullness and unclog pores. It delivers a deep clean, washing away the day’s impurities while also exfoliating to improve the look of pores and smooth skin texture. A blend of chamomile, marshmallow, sage, St. John’s Wort and yarrow extracts helps ensure the formula is just as rejuvenating as it is effective.
5 / 6
Glycolic acid is just one part of this ingredient-packed cleanser, which also features vitamin C, lactic acid, mountain cherry extract, papaya and pomegranate enzymes. The silky formula is both hydrating and nourishing, so it feels gentle on the skin while quietly working to improve texture and boost radiance over time.
6 / 6
This classic cleanser is beloved for its brightening and conditioning benefits. It helps renew dull, uneven skin by gently lifting away dead skin cells with the power of glycolic acid. “My skin genuinely looks brighter and more even-toned…I am so impressed and so grateful. Please never change this formula. I will be using this for the foreseeable future,” writes one reviewer.
