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Glycolic Acid Creams Might Be the Key to Smoother, Clearer Skin
The star AHA also works for your neck and body.
I’d argue that the next most famous chemical exfoliant is the Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant—and after that, The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner. People on TikTok and in my actual life, and me, have been using exfoliating toners for years to slough away dry patches, deal with keratosis pilaris (also known as strawberry skin), and even deal with body odor; some swear by it under the armpits for both reducing darkness in the area and neutralizing any unwanted scents. “Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid,” explains Dr. Allyson Brockman-Bitterman, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in Millburn, NJ. “It works superficially on the skin to remove only the top layers of dead skin cells. It’s helpful for exfoliation, discoloration, and can help improve superficial signs of sun damage.”
If you’re a “more is more” kind of person and respond well to glycolic acid toners, there’s another category of products you might just love: glycolic acid creams. Although they aren’t ideal for those with more sensitive skin, “a glycolic acid cream can help amplify the ingredient’s benefits since a cream sits on the skin longer than a toner, allowing the acid to gently exfoliate and moisturize,” says Dr. Paul Nassif, a facial reconstructive plastic surgeon based in Beverly Hills, CA. So if you have more resilient skin and want to take things a step further, there’s a plethora of glycolic acid-infused face and body creams out there for you to try.
Below, you’ll find a guide to the eight best glycolic acid creams to try, thanks to some thorough digging on the internet, input from our experts, and countless customer reviews. Your skin’s future is smooth, soft, and bright.
Pros
- Suitable for acne-prone skin
- Can help fade hyperpigmentation
Cons
- May be too harsh for very sensitive skin
Like most other Korean skin care products, this one is focused on giving you results while treating the skin as gently as possible, even though it contains both AHAs and BHAs. As you wear the gel-like formula, it gets to work getting rid of dead skin, unclogging pores, and fading hyperpigmentation from past breakouts.
Key ingredients: Glycolic acid, salicylic acid
Size: 1.7 oz.
Amazon rating: 4.3/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I am in love. I never really give rave reviews, and I have had a lot of bad experiences with skin care products in the past. Recently, I was suffering from one of the worst acne breakouts in my life because of a really terrible, pore-clogging sleeping mask that I stupidly decided to experiment with. I was miserable and had to start using a benzoyl peroxide spot treatment, which did improve it significantly. Then I started adding this glycolic/salicylic acid cream in the last step of my nighttime skincare routine and saw a major difference. All the rough and bumpy skin on my jawline (closed comedones) literally disappeared overnight. My skin feels so soft now. It also significantly reduced the active pimples I had, and has already faded the acne scars I developed from this recent breakout. I also notice that my skin is plumper and more hydrated overall.”
Pros
- Lightens dark spots
- Recyclable packaging
Cons
- May not be suitable for acne-prone skin
This glycolic acid cream from iconic French brand Caudalie specifically targets dark spots of all kinds, including melasma and post-acne hyperpigmentation. Its powerful ingredients include texture-smoothing glycolic acid, brightening papaya enzymes, and dark spot-preventing Viniferine, which comes from grapevine sap.
Key ingredients: Glycolic acid, Viniferine, papaya enzymes
Size: 1.7 oz.
Sephora rating: 4.4/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer says: “This is my new favorite night cream! I wake up with beautiful smooth, moisturized, and radiant skin! The scent is pleasant (not too strong), great ingredients to help improve the skin, lightweight texture, and absorbs easily. Definitely a luxurious product but worth it.”
Pros
- Lightweight texture
Cons
- Relatively small size
L’Oréal Paris consistently proves that you don’t have to go further than your local drugstore to find formulas that do their jobs at a budget-friendly price. With consistent use, this glycolic acid cream brightens dull skin and minimizes dark spots from sun exposure and previous pimples.
Key ingredient: Glycolic acid
Size: 0.5 oz.
Amazon rating: 4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “It helped me a lot with my skin texture after two weeks of use.”
Pros
- Deeply hydrating
- No strong scent
Cons
- May cause a tingling sensation
According to Dr. Nassif, “glycolic acid is very unique, as it doesn’t just exfoliate. It triggers collagen production, which is the primary structural protein in the skin, and reduces collagen loss.” That explains why reviewers report noticing a plumping effect when using this Amazon bestseller. Of course, it also refines texture and brightens the skin, too.
Key ingredients: Glycolic acid, glycerin
Size: 12 oz.
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “After regular use, my skin feels noticeably more moisturized, and this added hydration has contributed to a healthier overall complexion. Moreover, I’ve noticed that my skin appears to be more radiant and supple since incorporating this cream into my skincare routine. The added moisture seems to have a plumping effect, making my skin appear fuller and more youthful.”
Pros
- Fades hyperpigmentation
- Many report visible results
Cons
- May not provide enough moisture on its own
SkinCeuticals’ Glycolic 10 Renew Overnight is more of an overnight face mask, although it does contain moisturizing ingredients. Glycolic and phytic acids work in tandem, making skin feel smoother and imparting a glow come morning.
Key ingredients: Glycolic acid, phytic acid, jojoba oil, sunflower seed oil
Size: 1.7 oz.
Dermstore rating: 4.8/5 stars
A Dermstore reviewer says: “My skin looks so much better after using this product. I use it nightly, and I can notice the difference if I don’t use it for a couple of nights in a row. It makes my skin smooth, and it evens out the dark spots. In the winter, I use a second moisturizer over the top of this to give me extra hydration. I love this product!”
Pros
- Multi-tasker
- Gentle on the skin when used properly
Cons
- Some may dislike tingling sensation
Maelove’s glycolic acid cream focuses just as much on moisturizing as it does improving skin texture and evenness. While glycolic acid takes care of the latter (including diminishing the look of pores and wrinkles), vitamin E, squalane, shea butter, and aloe concentrate deeply hydrate and soothe the skin.
Key ingredients: Glycolic acid, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, squalane, shea butter, arnica flower, aloe
Size: 2 oz.
Amazon rating: 4.7/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “This moisturizer is definitely a great add-on to your skincare routine. I use mine about two to three times a week so as not overdo it. It will slightly tingle your skin, but that is normal as it states that on the back of the package when you read it. I love the fact that it gently exfoliates while also moisturizing. It’s less abrasive than other exfoliators, which I love. since it doesn’t feel like it’s scratching my skin. The packaging is sleek and nice. I do feel like this is working for my skin and helps me “kill two birds with one stone” with moisturizing and exfoliating.”
Pros
- Soaks into the skin relatively quickly
- No unpleasant scent
Cons
- Can feel sticky
Drunk Elephant has transformed its T.L.C. Night Serum into a glycolic acid moisturizer you can use all over your body. Reviewers love it for treating their strawberry skin, especially since it doesn’t have the unpleasant scent or hard-to-spread texture of other keratosis pilaris-focused formulas.
Key ingredients: Glycolic acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, citric acid, marula butter, shea butter, niacinamide
Size: 8 oz.
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I have tried many creams for KP and find this to be the most effective by far. You do have to allow for at least two weeks of daily use before you see results, so be patient. As a bonus, this lotion does not have a strong smell (scent is quite neutral), whereas most ammonium lactate-based lotions have too strong of a smell.”
Nassif MD Dermaceuticals Deco-Lift Neck & Decollete Firming & Lifting Complex
Pros
- Lightweight texture
- A little goes a long way
Cons
- Can take time to see results
Concerned about the wrinkles on your neck? Neck creams like this one, which features plumping peptides and collagen production-encouraging glycolic acid, can serve to tighten and smooth out the skin in the décolletage area. Says Dr. Nassif, “It hydrates and plumps the skin, reverses the effects of sun damage and firms the thin skin under the jawline.”
Key ingredients: Glycolic acid, peptides, Aquaxyl, vitamin C, dimethylaminoethanol
Size: 1.7 oz.
Nassif MD rating: 4.6/5 stars
A Nassif MD reviewer says: “Excellent product. Keeps my 60-year-old neck looking younger. No sensitivity to it, and the smell is light. Perfect for a neck night treatment.”
Meet the Experts
Dr. Paul Nassif is a facial reconstructive plastic surgeon based in Beverly Hills, CA.
Dr. Allyson Brockman-Bitterman is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in Millburn, NJ.
How often should you use a glycolic acid cream?
You should be able to use one daily. However, “if you have sensitive skin, you can start rotating it into your routine three days a week and then increase use over time daily,” says Dr. Nassif.
Can you layer a glycolic acid toner under a glycolic acid cream?
Dr. Nassif says yes, but you should always patch test. “Introduce slowly, and see if you have an adverse reaction to the potency of both,” he says. “And remember, glycolic acid increases sun sensitivity, so SPF is a must.”
Why Trust ELLE Beauty?
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, beauty writer Carol Lee consulted dermatologists to learn more about glycolic acid. She also combed through reviews for top-rated products, assessing each one based on its features and customer evaluations.
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