ACURE Glycolic & Unicorn Root Cleanser Review: Does It Actually Work?

Last Updated on September 3, 2026 by Giorgia Guazzarotti

I love a cleanser that does a little more than just wash my face, and ACURE Resurfacing Glycolic & Unicorn Root Cleanser promises that. You’ve got 1% glycolic acid for exfoliation, a bunch of plant extracts and, of course, something called unicorn root (because apparently glycolic acid wasn’t exciting enough on its own). But the ingredient list is one thing. What I really want to know is, can 1% glycolic acid in a foam cleanser exfoliate skin? Does it leave your face looking smoother and brighter, or are you mostly paying for a very cute name? In this review, I’ll tell you what you can expect from glycolic acid cleansers, what skin types this is suitable for and whether you should add this to your skincare routine.

Key Ingredients in ACURE Resurfacing Glycolic & Unicorn Root Cleanser: What Makes It Work?

SURFACTANTS

Surfactants are basically the ingredients that wash your face. They grab onto oil, dirt, sunscreen and makeup so all that stuff can be rinsed away with water. There are two in this cleanser:

• Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate: This does a lot of the actual cleansing. It gets rid of oil and grime, but it’s gentler on your skin than some of the stronger cleansing ingredients you’ll find in face washes. Research comparing different surfactants found that sodium cocoyl isethionate was less damaging to the skin barrier than sodium lauryl sulfate. 
• Decyl Glucoside: Another cleansing ingredient, this time made from sugar and fatty alcohol. It helps wash away oil and dirt and is generally pretty gentle. ​

GLYCOLIC ACID

Glycolic acid, a member of the AHAs family, is an exfoliant that gets rid of the dead skin cells hanging around on the surface of your skin. It basically helps unstick them from each other so they come off more easily, leaving your skin smoother and brighter and helping fade dark spots over time. 

The catch? There’s only 1% glycolic acid in this cleanser. And that’s a problem. Two, actually. First, glycolic acid needs to be on the skin for hours to work.  In a rinse-off cleanser, it gets washed down the drain. Plus, 1% is nothing. It’s too low to give you results even when left on the skin. My guess is that Acure gave you so little to make it safe for daily use. We know that exfoliating too often causes all kinds of issues, like irritation and dryness. This shouldn’t. But then, it doesn’t really exfoliate.

Related: The Complete Guide To Glycolic Acid In Skincare

Performance & Personal Opinion

The ACURE Resurfacing Glycolic & Unicorn Root Cleanser is thick. Like, really thick. Straight out of the tube, it feels more like a cream than your usual face wash. Add some water and it thins out, gets nice and slippery and works up a bit of foam, so you can easily massage it all over your face. You don’t need much either, which is always a bonus. 

The scent is pretty subtle and a little herbal. It’s there, but it’s not one of those cleansers you can still smell on your face ten minutes later. Using it couldn’t be easier. Wet your face, squeeze a little out of the tube, massage it around and rinse. Done. The tube is basic, but it does the job and, because the cleanser is so thick, you’re not accidentally pouring half of it into your hand.

It gets your face properly clean and leaves it feeling smooth, although it can leave that slightly tight, “yep, I definitely just washed my face“ feeling. And the exfoliation? Don’t get too excited. I didn’t notice any real difference in dark spots, brightness or uneven texture. And frankly I didn’t expect it to. This as a cleanser with a tiny side of glycolic acid, not an exfoliating treatment.

Price & Availability

​$13.99 at Acure

Who Should Use This?

• Got oily or combination skin? You’ll probably get along with this one. It foams up enough to get rid of that greasy feeling without being one of those face washes that makes you want to run for the moisturiser the second you rinse it off.
• Normal skin should be fine with it too, especially if you prefer a cleanser that leaves your face feeling properly clean rather than creamy or moisturised.
• If your skin is dry, though, I’d give it a miss. It can leave skin feeling a little tight, and dry skin really doesn’t need any help in that department. 
• And I’d be careful if you have sensitive skin too. There’s only 1% glycolic acid, but you’ve also got citrus oils in the formula, which sensitive skin may not be too happy about.

The Verdict: Should You Buy It?

It’s a decent cleanser, but I wouldn’t buy it for the glycolic acid. It does a good job of getting your face clean and makes the most sense for oily or combination skin, but that 1% glycolic acid isn’t enough to turn it into a proper exfoliant. If you just want a cleanser that washes away oil and grime and leaves your skin feeling smooth, it does the job. If you’re buying it to fade dark spots, brighten dull skin or smooth uneven texture, save your money and get a leave-on glycolic acid product instead.