You might be surprised to learn that glycolic acid can help address many common body-skin concerns, from rough texture to dark spots. This powerful alphahydroxyacid (AHA) has been popping up in more body-care products—and for good reason.
Ahead, we break down how glycolic acid works, its key benefits for body skin and expert tips for using it effectively.
Featured Experts
- Victoria Fu and Gloria Lu are cosmetic chemists and the co-founders of Chemist Confessions
- Mark Curry is a co-founder, CEO and lead formulator at The INKEY List
- Lillian Tung is a co-founder and CMO at Fur
How Glycolic Acid Works in Skin Care
“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,” explains cosmetic chemists Victoria Fu and Gloria Lu. “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.”
The Benefits of Glycolic Acid in Body Care
Skin can benefit from glycolic acid pretty much head-to-toe. All skin—face and body—can benefit from AHA exfoliators like glycolic acid to help support long-term skin health, say Fu and Lu. When looking for exfoliators, many people assume a physical scrub works better, but that’s not necessarily the case. “Scrubs scratch. Acids work,” says co-founder and lead formulator at The INKEY List, Mark Curry, who points to glycolic acid as the overachiever of the AHA family.
“It’s water soluble, meaning it works on the skin’s surface to lift away dead cells, boost cell turnover and leave skin smoother and brighter,” says Curry, who notes the ingredient is popular in formulations and generally well tolerated across skin types. “Glycolic acid also has the smallest molecule size of the AHAs, so it penetrates deeper and works harder.” Fur co-founder Lillian Tung adds that glycolic acid’s exfoliating powers also make it especially helpful for preventing ingrown hairs.
Glycolic Acid Tips From the Experts
Curry notes there’s one important caveat when using glycolic acid in a body-care routine. “If you bring acids to the party, you must invite barrier support too,” he advises. “Smart formulas pair exfoliation with hydration, so you get glow without wrecking your skin barrier.” Whether that barrier support comes built into a glycolic acid product or from a secondary moisturizer layered on top, it’s a step worth prioritizing. Fu and Lu add that wearing sunscreen is also essential when glycolic acid is part of the routine because exfoliation can make skin more sensitive to UV exposure.
When shopping for a body-care product with glycolic acid, Fu and Lu recommend looking for a concentration between five and 10 percent. “Also, a chemist's top tip: You don’t actually have to buy two separate glycolic acid products for face and body. If you have an existing glycolic acid product for face, consider trialing it for the body and see how your skin responds.”
Below, the best glycolic acid body-care products to help smooth, brighten and refine skin from the neck down.
Best Body-Care Products With Glycolic Acid
