Ingredient glossary
Glycolic acid
On your shelf ✓What Glycolic acid does for your skin, who it suits, and what to watch for.
INCI: Glycolic Acid · Also: AHA
In short: Glycolic acid delivers exfoliation and anti-aging support, suits most skin types, and the evidence behind it is strong. One thing to know: clear it with your doctor if pregnant; can irritate, ease in slowly.
- What it does
- Exfoliation, anti aging
- Best for
- Most skin types
- Watch out
- Clear it with your doctor if pregnant; can irritate, ease in slowly
- Evidence
- Strong
The molecule
The Glow take
One of the ingredients I trust most.
When your goal is softening fine lines and keeping skin firm, Glycolic acid delivers, and the research properly backs it up. It can sting a fresh or sensitive barrier, so start a couple of nights a week and always patch test first.
— Maya
What it does
- exfoliation
- anti aging
strong evidenceSignificant evidence for AHA exfoliation, improving texture, tone and photoaging signs at appropriate pH and strength.
Who it's for, and who should skip it
Tends to suit
- normal
- oily
Approach with care
- sensitive
- compromised barrier
- rosacea
- Clogs poresLow
- Irritation riskHigh
- pH-dependentIts effect depends on the product's pH
How it fits each skin type
- DrySuits
- CombinationSuits
- OilySuits
- SensitiveTake care
Take extra care if any of these apply to you: compromised barrier, rosacea.
Where it fits in your routine
Plays well with
- humectants
- ceramides
Glycolic acid, answered
Is Glycolic acid safe during pregnancy?
Clear it with your doctor first. Glycolic acid is flagged as use-with-caution during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so check with your doctor or midwife before adding it.
Who should avoid Glycolic acid?
Approach Glycolic acid with care if any of these apply to you: sensitive, compromised barrier, and rosacea. Its irritation risk is high, so introduce it slowly and patch test first.
What concentration of Glycolic acid actually works?
Its concentration is rarely printed on the label, so use the ingredient list as your clue: near the top third it is likely doing real work, near the bottom it is more of a sprinkle.
During pregnancy
Treat Glycolic acid as a maybe rather than a yes for now. It is flagged as one to use with caution while pregnant or breastfeeding, so it is worth clearing before you carry on.
When in doubt, check with your doctor or midwife. They outrank any website, including this one.
Commonly confused with
- Lactic acidBoth are AHAs. Glycolic is the smaller molecule that gets in deeper and stronger; lactic is gentler and also hydrates.
- Salicylic acid (BHA)Salicylic is oil-loving and works inside the pore (a BHA). Glycolic works on the surface (an AHA).
Compare Glycolic acid with
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