exfoliant aha
Smallest AHA; disrupts corneocyte cohesion at low pH by solubilising calcium-dependent desmosomes, promoting exfoliation and stimulating collagen at higher concentrations.
| Concern | Strength | Studies | What the research says |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blackheads | Strong | — | Glycolic peels (30-70%) have established evidence for comedonal and mild inflammatory acne. Daily-use low-concentration (5-10%) evidence for acne is less robust; salicylic acid is generally preferred for acne due to its… |
| Dark spots & hyperpigmentation | Strong | — | Glycolic peels (20-70%) for hyperpigmentation and solar lentigines have moderate evidence base across multiple small trials. Daily-use low-concentration (5-10%) evidence is thinner but consistent in direction. Works via… |
| Uneven texture | Strong | 1 | Mechanism supports use. Lactic acid (see lactic-acid.json) has stronger evidence for KP and xerosis specifically; glycolic is a reasonable alternative. |
| Fine lines & wrinkles | Strong | 5 | Four pivotal trials anchor the photoaging evidence base. Ditre 1996 (PMID 8642081) applied 25% glycolic, lactic, or citric acid lotions to one forearm and placebo to the other for ~6 months in a split-body design;… |
| Acne & breakouts | Relevant | 1 | Glycolic peels (30-70%) have established evidence for comedonal and mild inflammatory acne. Daily-use low-concentration (5-10%) evidence for acne is less robust; salicylic acid is generally preferred for acne due to its… |
| Enlarged pores | Relevant | — | AHA surface exfoliation reduces dead-cell buildup contributing to pore visibility; modest, appearance-level effect. |
Not recommended for: Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema, Rosacea, Psoriasis. Glycolic Acid may aggravate these concerns/conditions.
Strength reflects the ingredient’s effect on each concern; study counts match research whose findings relate to that concern.
Glycolic Acid is a exfoliant aha backed by a large, consistent body of clinical evidence (evidence tier 1 of 4). We track 11 studies for it, 8 reporting a positive effect. It is typically effective at 5–20% in a formulation.
Scientific Reports · 2025 · meta analysis
Network meta-analysis (23 RCTs, 3,905 participants) of topical photoaging treatments ranked glycolic acid highest for reducing skin roughness (ahead of retinol and tretinoin), reflecting its exfoliating/desquamating action; however glycolic acid carried a higher adverse-event risk than topical retinoids.
Dermatologic Surgery · 2001 · rct · n=48
Vehicle-controlled in vivo study: forearm skin treated with 20% glycolic acid lotion twice daily for 3 months showed significantly increased epidermal and dermal hyaluronic acid and type I collagen gene expression (mRNA) versus vehicle, indicating glycolic-acid-induced extracellular matrix remodeling of human skin.
Journal of Dermatological Science · 2009 · rct · n=40
Government (FDA)-sponsored study (n=14): daily topical glycolic acid 10% for 3.5 weeks increased the sensitivity of human skin to simulated solar radiation, raising UV-induced erythema, DNA damage, and sunburn cell formation; salicylic acid 2% caused no significant change. Supports diligent sun protection when using glycolic acid.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology · 2003 · rct · n=24
Controlled study (n=24): daily application of 10% glycolic acid for 4 weeks increased UV sensitivity by 18% as measured by minimal erythema dose (MED) reduction; effect reversed within 1 week of discontinuation; provides evidence base for the FDA advisory on AHA photosensitivity
Dermatologic Surgery · 1998 · rct · n=75
Randomized controlled trial (n=75, 13 weeks): Low concentration daily use photoaging evidence.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology · 1996 · rct
Randomized controlled trial (26 weeks): AHA photoaging evidence with dermal remodeling histology.
+ 5 more studies in our evidence base.
In 645 products — most often serums (233), exfoliants (126), moisturizers (99), from $4.37 to $383.54. Set up a profile to rank these for your skin. Click any product to learn more.
Pixi
Glow Tonic Serum Exfoliating Radiance Serum
Serum
$24.0029.9ml · $0.80/ml
Ideal for
Not recommended for
Pixi
Glow Tonic Serum Exfoliating Radiance Serum
Serum
$24.0029.9ml · $0.80/ml
Ideal for
Not recommended for
Glow Tonic Serum Exfoliating Radiance Serum is a retinoid treatment by Pixi. Key ingredients include Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Polysorbate 20.
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Set up your skin profilePixi
Glow Tonic To-Go 5% Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Toner Pads
Toner
$18.00
Ideal for
Not recommended for
Pixi
Glow Tonic To-Go 5% Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Toner Pads
Toner
$18.00
Ideal for
Not recommended for
Glow Tonic To-Go 5% Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Toner Pads is a exfoliant by Pixi. Key ingredients include Glycolic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin.
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Set up your skin profilePixi
Glow Tonic 5% Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Toner
Toner
$18.00100.5ml · $0.18/ml
Ideal for
Not recommended for
Pixi
Glow Tonic 5% Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Toner
Toner
$18.00100.5ml · $0.18/ml
Ideal for
Not recommended for
Glow Tonic 5% Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Toner is a exfoliant by Pixi. Key ingredients include Glycolic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin.
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Set up your skin profileBenefit Cosmetics
The POREfessional Shrink Wrap Overnight AHA+PHA Pore Treatment
Exfoliant
$46.0047.3ml · $0.97/ml
Ideal for
Not recommended for
Benefit Cosmetics
The POREfessional Shrink Wrap Overnight AHA+PHA Pore Treatment
Exfoliant
$46.0047.3ml · $0.97/ml
Ideal for
Not recommended for
The POREfessional Shrink Wrap Overnight AHA+PHA Pore Treatment is a exfoliant by Benefit Cosmetics. Key ingredients include Water, Propanediol, Niacinamide.
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Set up your skin profileDrunk Elephant
T.L.C Sukari Babyfacial Exfoliating Mask
Serum
$80.0050ml · $1.60/ml
Ideal for
Not recommended for
Drunk Elephant
T.L.C Sukari Babyfacial Exfoliating Mask
Serum
$80.0050ml · $1.60/ml
Ideal for
Not recommended for
T.L.C Sukari Babyfacial Exfoliating Mask is a exfoliant by Drunk Elephant. Key ingredients include Glycolic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol.
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Nip + Fab
NIP+FAB Glycolic Daily Pads XXL
Serum
$24.07
Ideal for
Not recommended for
Nip + Fab
NIP+FAB Glycolic Daily Pads XXL
Serum
$24.07
Ideal for
Not recommended for
NIP+FAB Glycolic Daily Pads XXL is a exfoliant by Nip + Fab. Key ingredients include Water, Glycerin, Glycolic Acid.
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Caudalie
Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Glycolic Refillable Night Cream 50ml
Moisturizer
$41.9150ml · $0.84/ml
Ideal for
Not recommended for
Caudalie
Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Glycolic Refillable Night Cream 50ml
Moisturizer
$41.9150ml · $0.84/ml
Ideal for
Not recommended for
Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Glycolic Refillable Night Cream 50ml is a exfoliant by Caudalie. Key ingredients include Squalane, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol.
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Set up your skin profileKate Somerville
ExfoliKate Cleanser Daily Foaming Wash - 4.0 oz
Cleanser
$46.00118.3ml · $0.39/ml
Ideal for
Not recommended for
Kate Somerville
ExfoliKate Cleanser Daily Foaming Wash - 4.0 oz
Cleanser
$46.00118.3ml · $0.39/ml
Ideal for
Not recommended for
ExfoliKate Cleanser Daily Foaming Wash - 4.0 oz is a water cleanser by Kate Somerville. Key ingredients include Stearic Acid, Glycerin, Lactic Acid.
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Set up your skin profileDIME
Cleanser
$28.00118.3ml · $0.24/ml
Ideal for
Not recommended for
DIME
Cleanser
$28.00118.3ml · $0.24/ml
Ideal for
Not recommended for
Creamy Foam Cleanser is a water cleanser by DIME. Key ingredients include Water, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol.
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Set up your skin profileFresh
Lotus AHA Resurfacing Gentle Serum
Exfoliant
$69.0029.6ml · $2.33/ml
Ideal for
Not recommended for
Fresh
Lotus AHA Resurfacing Gentle Serum
Exfoliant
$69.0029.6ml · $2.33/ml
Ideal for
Not recommended for
Lotus AHA Resurfacing Gentle Serum is a exfoliant by Fresh. Key ingredients include Water, Glycerin, Propanediol.
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Set up your skin profileEducational information, not medical advice. Study findings summarise the cited research and may not reflect every formulation.