1. Beauty Glossary
  2. Glycolic Acid

Glycolic Acid for Skin

Introducing glycolic acid, the smallest member of the AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) family, yet still a force to be reckoned with. Often dubbed as the miracle acid for dry skin, this compound has rocketed in popularity and can now be found in the majority of your favourite skin care products.

See our glycolic acid guide to answer your questions like what is glycolic acid and what does glycolic acid in beauty do.

Best Sellers

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
£12.17
PIXI Glow Tonic
PIXI Glow Tonic
£19.42
-47%
NeoStrata Ultra Moisturising Face Cream
NeoStrata Ultra Moisturising Face Cream
£30.39 £57.00
-6%
Jan Marini Bioglycolic Face Cleanser
Jan Marini Bioglycolic Face Cleanser
£34.19 £35.99
-6%
NeoStrata Foaming Glycolic Wash
NeoStrata Foaming Glycolic Wash
£23.74 £24.99

Brands With Glycolic Acid Products

  • Alpha-H
  • PIXI
  • Murad
  • Filorga
  • NIP+FAB
  • Avant
  • Dr Dennis Gross Skincare
  • NeoStrata

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431 products found
The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
£8.81
-30%
CeraVe Blemish Control Gel Moisturiser
CeraVe Blemish Control Gel Moisturiser
£10.29 £14.50
First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub With 10% AHA
First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub With 10% AHA
£27.39
-26%
Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Lift & Firm Eye Cream
Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Lift & Firm Eye Cream
£35.99 £48.00
-46%
NeoStrata Glycolic Renewal Smoothing Cream
NeoStrata Glycolic Renewal Smoothing Cream
£31.34 £57.00
-2%
Alpha-H Liquid Gold
Alpha-H Liquid Gold
£42.43 £42.99
-41%
Skin Republic Foot Peel Mask
Skin Republic Foot Peel Mask
£5.94 £9.99
-25%
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 10
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 10
£66.75 £89.00
-8%
ELEMIS Dynamic Resurfacing Gel Mask
ELEMIS Dynamic Resurfacing Gel Mask
£50.00 £54.00
-6%
Jan Marini Bioclear Face Cream
Jan Marini Bioclear Face Cream
£64.59 £67.99
-5%
Medik8 Liquid Peptides
Medik8 Liquid Peptides
£12.75 £13.42
-6%
NeoStrata Targeted Clarifying Gel
NeoStrata Targeted Clarifying Gel
£18.04 £18.99
-20%
Skin Doctors InGrow Go
Skin Doctors InGrow Go
£9.79 £12.14
-19%
Medik8 Balance Moisturiser & Glycolic Acid Activator
Medik8 Balance Moisturiser & Glycolic Acid Activator
£36.75 £45.00
-6%
Mesoestetic Brightening Foam
Mesoestetic Brightening Foam
£27.54 £28.99
-6%
Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse
Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse
£6.75 £7.11
-6%
NeoStrata Oily Skin Solution
NeoStrata Oily Skin Solution
£26.59 £27.99
-4%
Alpha-H Essential Hydration Cream
Alpha-H Essential Hydration Cream
£42.43 £44.00
The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA
The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA
£6.64
PIXI GLOW Glycolic Boost Sheet Mask Pack Of 3
PIXI GLOW Glycolic Boost Sheet Mask Pack Of 3
£10.18
-30%
Alpha-H Clear Skin Daily Face & Body Wash With 2% Salicylic Acid & Tea Tree
Alpha-H Clear Skin Daily Face & Body Wash With 2% Salicylic Acid & Tea Tree
£29.42 £42.00
-25%
Medik8 Sleep Glycolic
Medik8 Sleep Glycolic
£29.25 £39.00
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel
£38.50
-34%
NeoStrata Smooth Surface Glycolic Chemical Peel
NeoStrata Smooth Surface Glycolic Chemical Peel
£45.59 £69.00
-6%
NeoStrata Gel Plus
NeoStrata Gel Plus
£37.04 £38.99
-5%
R+Co Mood Swing Straightening Spray
R+Co Mood Swing Straightening Spray
£24.70 £26.00
-59%
Elizabeth Arden Prevage Advanced Daily Serum
Elizabeth Arden Prevage Advanced Daily Serum
£79.50 £190.00
-45%
Elizabeth Arden Prevage Anti Ageing & Intensive Repair Eye Serum
Elizabeth Arden Prevage Anti Ageing & Intensive Repair Eye Serum
£57.99 £105.00
-35%
ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Definition Face & Neck Serum
ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Definition Face & Neck Serum
£62.30 £95.00
-26%
weDo Light & Soft Mask
weDo Light & Soft Mask
£11.16 £14.95
-22%
Dermalogica Daily Glycolic Cleanser
Dermalogica Daily Glycolic Cleanser
£27.35 £35.00
-20%
Caudalie Vinoperfect Dark Spot Correcting Glycolic Night Cream
Caudalie Vinoperfect Dark Spot Correcting Glycolic Night Cream
£26.50 £32.99
-6%
Hairburst Exfoliating Scalp Scrub
Hairburst Exfoliating Scalp Scrub
£26.12 £27.50
-3%
Alpha-H Vitamin B Serum With 5% Niacinamide
Alpha-H Vitamin B Serum With 5% Niacinamide
£48.63 £49.99
PIXI Glow Mud Cleanser
PIXI Glow Mud Cleanser
£19.42
-44%
Pestle & Mortar Exfoliate Toner
Pestle & Mortar Exfoliate Toner
£14.16 £25.00
-36%
NeoStrata High Potency Cream
NeoStrata High Potency Cream
£32.29 £50.00
-23%
Dermalogica Daily Brightness Boosters Skin Kit
Dermalogica Daily Brightness Boosters Skin Kit
£38.15 £49.00
-6%
Colorescience All Calm Clinical Redness Corrector SPF 50
Colorescience All Calm Clinical Redness Corrector SPF 50
£80.74 £84.99
-6%
Murad Environmental Shield Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum
Murad Environmental Shield Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum
£77.83 £82.00
-5%
HydroPeptide Anti-Wrinkle Exfoliating Cleanser
HydroPeptide Anti-Wrinkle Exfoliating Cleanser
£37.05 £39.00
-5%
Dermaceutic Mask 15
Dermaceutic Mask 15
£38.00 £40.00
-5%
Dermaceutic Light Ceutic Lightening Cream
Dermaceutic Light Ceutic Lightening Cream
£35.15 £37.00
Alpha-H Micro Super Scrub For Face & Body
Alpha-H Micro Super Scrub For Face & Body
£44.20
First Aid Beauty Ingrown Hair Pads
First Aid Beauty Ingrown Hair Pads
£20.31
-59%
First Aid Beauty Clean, Smooth & Groovy Set
First Aid Beauty Clean, Smooth & Groovy Set
£41.63 £100.00
-39%
Goldwell Dualsenses Colour Brilliance Serum Spray
Goldwell Dualsenses Colour Brilliance Serum Spray
£9.95 £16.25
-34%
Avène Cleanance Localised Drying Emulsion
Avène Cleanance Localised Drying Emulsion
£9.54 £14.25
-30%
Sebastian Professional Craft Clay
Sebastian Professional Craft Clay
£15.49 £22.00
-26%
NIP+FAB Glycolic Fix Extreme Night
NIP+FAB Glycolic Fix Extreme Night
£14.11 £18.95
-26%
NIP+FAB Glycolic Fix Scrub
NIP+FAB Glycolic Fix Scrub
£9.63 £12.95
-26%
NuFACE FIX Line Smoothing Device
NuFACE FIX Line Smoothing Device
£112.00 £150.00
-25%
NIP+FAB Glycolic Fix Cleanser
NIP+FAB Glycolic Fix Cleanser
£8.30 £10.95
-25%
PIXI Glow Peel Pads
PIXI Glow Peel Pads
£19.88 £26.50
-22%
PIXI Glow Tonic Serum
PIXI Glow Tonic Serum
£20.53 £26.00
-20%
PIXI Glow Tonic Cleansing Gel
PIXI Glow Tonic Cleansing Gel
£15.54 £19.42
-16%
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Lotion
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Lotion
£28.27 £33.58
-13%
REN Perfect Canvas Clean Jelly Oil Cleanser
REN Perfect Canvas Clean Jelly Oil Cleanser
£24.50 £28.00
-10%
REN Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask
REN Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask
£37.50 £41.55
-8%
Alpha-H Liquid Gold 24 Hour Moisture Repair Cream
Alpha-H Liquid Gold 24 Hour Moisture Repair Cream
£63.67 £68.99
-8%
Natura Bissé Glyco Extreme Peel
Natura Bissé Glyco Extreme Peel
£223.25 £242.00
-6%
Mesoestetic Ultimate Micropeel
Mesoestetic Ultimate Micropeel
£47.49 £49.99
-5%
Avant Sumptuous Glycolic Acid Hand Balm
Avant Sumptuous Glycolic Acid Hand Balm
£76.95 £81.00
-5%
DCL G20 Radiance Peel
DCL G20 Radiance Peel
£51.30 £54.00
-5%
R+Co Bleu Smooth & Seal Blow Dry Mist
R+Co Bleu Smooth & Seal Blow Dry Mist
£76.00 £80.00
-5%
Hairburst Shampoo For Oily Scalp & Roots
Hairburst Shampoo For Oily Scalp & Roots
£14.25 £15.00
-5%
Dermaceutic Foamer 15
Dermaceutic Foamer 15
£40.85 £43.00
-5%
The Organic Pharmacy Resculpting Body Serum
The Organic Pharmacy Resculpting Body Serum
£65.55 £69.00
-5%
R+Co Centrepiece All-In-One Hair Elixir
R+Co Centrepiece All-In-One Hair Elixir
£17.10 £18.00
-2%
REN Micro Polish Cleanser
REN Micro Polish Cleanser
£26.50 £26.99
-2%
STARSKIN VIP Fab Feet Fast Instant Foot Peeling Treatment
STARSKIN VIP Fab Feet Fast Instant Foot Peeling Treatment
£26.50 £27.00
-1%
Isle of Paradise Over It Magic Self Tan Eraser
Isle of Paradise Over It Magic Self Tan Eraser
£19.91 £19.95
-1%
Alpha-H Absolute Eye Complex
Alpha-H Absolute Eye Complex
£36.28 £36.50
-1%
NIP+FAB Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing Pads
NIP+FAB Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing Pads
£16.95 £17.04
-1%
NIP+FAB Glycolic Fix Serum
NIP+FAB Glycolic Fix Serum
£19.91 £19.95
-1%
NIP+FAB Glycolic Fix Extreme Bubble Mask
NIP+FAB Glycolic Fix Extreme Bubble Mask
£7.00 £7.04
-1%
NIP+FAB Glycolic Fix Scrub Extreme 6%
NIP+FAB Glycolic Fix Scrub Extreme 6%
£14.82 £14.95
-1%
Alpha-H Melting Moment Cleansing Balm
Alpha-H Melting Moment Cleansing Balm
£39.78 £39.99
Natura Bissé Facial Cleansing Gel With AHA
Natura Bissé Facial Cleansing Gel With AHA
£46.55
PIXI Clarity Cleanser
PIXI Clarity Cleanser
£19.42
Murad Vita-C Glycolic Brightening Serum
Murad Vita-C Glycolic Brightening Serum
£84.03
Murad Replenishing Multi Acid Peel
Murad Replenishing Multi Acid Peel
£74.78
NIP+FAB Glycolic Fix Liquid Glow 6%
NIP+FAB Glycolic Fix Liquid Glow 6%
£22.95
NIP+FAB Post Glycolic Fix Moisturiser SPF 30
NIP+FAB Post Glycolic Fix Moisturiser SPF 30
£19.95
PIXI Clarity Tonic
PIXI Clarity Tonic
£21.19
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Glycolic Acid

Frequently Asked Questions about Glycolic Acid products

What is glycolic acid?

Totally natural and effortlessly effective, glycolic acid was first derived from plants such as sugar cane, pineapple and sugar beets, but it is now also synthetically manufactured. It's one of the most commonly used AHAs (others include lactic, citric and malic acid), and not to mention, one of the safest to use if you want to dabble in some DIY skin care.

What does glycolic acid in beauty do?

Glycolic acid is the holy grail when it comes to exfoliation – think of it like Pacman. When it comes into contact with the skin's surface, it eats up all the excess oils and breaks down the bonds that hold together dead cells so that you can reveal a radiant glow.

What are the skin care benefits of glycolic acid beauty products?

Unlike BHAs, glycolic acid is a lot more gentle on the skin and also water-soluble, meaning its ability to hold moisture is second to none. As a result, it's ace for revealing a brighter, smoother complexion that's healthy and hydrated. It's even used to combat scarring, skin discolouration and signs of ageing, so you can wave goodbye to those pesky fine lines and wrinkles.

Where can I find glycolic acid?

Glycolic acid is most commonly found in chemical peels, but since it's taken the skin care spotlight, you can find it in daily products such as face washes, cleansers, moisturisers and face pads. If you're not sure where to start, NIP + FAB are one of our favourite brands for a complete easy-to-use glycolic acid skin care collection.

Who should use glycolic acid beauty products?

Glycolic acid is the perfect option for those with dry or sensitive skin. When used in low concentrations, it can transfer water molecules from the air and inject them into the skin tissue. And, because it doesn't penetrate the skin deeply, it's less likely to cause irritation.

How do I use glycolic acid beauty products?

All skin types react differently, so it's always a good idea to test the waters before going full throttle.Begin with low strengths (between 5 - 8%) before progressing to higher concentrations (but never go above 50%), and always be sure to do a skin patch test first. It's best to apply glycolic acid at night or accompanied with a suitable sun cream as it can make your skin sensitive to the sun.

What should I expect after using glycolic acid beauty products?

It's not uncommon to experience a slight tingling or warming sensation at first – it's nothing to worry about, it's just the glycolic acid getting to work on sloughing away skin cells.

You might also notice that your face is red in appearance but this should fade after a few hours. The key is to be patient – skin can feel dry and dusty to begin with, but it'll soon shed and reveal an even-toned complexion.

Can I use other acids with glycolic acid?

It's best to use glycolic acid on it's own. If you start cooking up a cocktail of ingredients, they're bound to counteract one another. Glycolic acid doesn't tend to play well with vitamin C or retinol, if you combine the two you'll be in a for a red and peel-y treat.

Hannah Liddle

Written by Hannah Liddle, Beauty Editor

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