Glycolic Acid for Acne (Acne Vulgaris)

Exfoliates the surface of your skin to smooth rough texture and fade dullness. The strongest of the AHAs, so start slow.

Why it works for Acne (Acne Vulgaris)

Exfoliates the surface and loosens the dead skin that blocks pore openings. It is an AHA (alpha-hydroxy acid) and the smallest one, so it sinks in easily. Trials of 10-15% peels show real improvement in clogged pores and mild pimples over a 12-week course, and at-home strengths (5-10%) keep up the progress. It is especially handy for blackheads, whiteheads, and the dark marks left behind. Do not use it the same night as a retinoid (together they can over-irritate).

How Glycolic Acid works

Smallest alpha hydroxy acid; loosens corneocyte bonds in the stratum corneum to accelerate desquamation.

Evidence

4 citations from our ingredient database. Full citation list on the Glycolic Acid ingredient page.

systematic review2020

Liu H et al., Topical agents for acne (covers AHA / fruit-acid arm), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2020;5:CD011368 — conclusion: clinical benefit is unclear

journal2016

Sarkar R et al., Comparative Evaluation of Efficacy and Tolerability of Glycolic Acid, Salicylic-Mandelic Acid, and Phytic Acid Combination Peels in Melasma, Dermatologic Surgery 2016;42(3):384-391 — 35% glycolic acid and salicylic-mandelic peels equally effective and safe for melasma in Indian skin

journal2014

Kubiak M et al., Evaluation of 70% glycolic peels versus 15% trichloroacetic peels for the treatment of photodamaged facial skin in aging women, Dermatologic Surgery 2014;40(8):883-891 — both peels improved photodamaged skin; glycolic acid showed faster hydration recovery

regulatory safety1998

CIR Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Glycolic Acid and Lactic Acid, their salts and simple esters (Andersen FA), International Journal of Toxicology 1998;17(Suppl 1):1-241

Products with Glycolic Acid in our catalog

These are the catalog products that list Glycolic Acid as a tracked ingredient.

The Ordinary

Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution

$13 · Toner

Pixi

Glow Tonic 5% Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Toner

$18 · Toner

Versed

Weekend Glow Daily Brightening Solution

$20 · Toner

Some By Mi

AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner

$23 · Toner

Peach Slices

Acne Exfoliating Toner

$13 · Toner

The Ordinary

AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution

$10 · Treatment

Full Glycolic Acid guide →Acne (Acne Vulgaris) overview →