Last Updated on May 1, 2025 by Giorgia Guazzarotti
Are you still exfoliating with scrubs? It’s time to switch things up and give glycolic acid a try. I know, I know, scrubs can be addictive. But so can glycolic. I’ve never met anyone who made the switch and went back to scrubs.
Glycolic acid is an exfoliant on steroids. It gets rid of dead cells, hydrates your skin, and keeps wrinkles at bay. Can your scrub keep up with that? In case you’re still on the fence, I’ve put together this complete guide to glycolic acid. By the end, you’ll be ready to ditch scrubs for good. I promise. 🙂
- What Is Glycolic Acid?
- Is Glycolic Acid An Effective Exfoliant?
- Is Glycolic Acid Better Than Physical Scrubs?
- Can Glycolic Acid Treat Sun Damage?
- Is Glycolic Acid Hydrating?
- Glycolic Acid Side Effects
- Is Purging Normal With Glycolic Acid?
- Can You Use Glycolic Acid If You’re Pregnant Or Breastfeeding?
- Who Should Use Glycolic Acid?
- How Much And How Often Should You Use Glycolic Acid?
- What Time Of Day Should You Use Glycolic Acid?
- Can You Use Glycolic Acid With Other Acids Or Actives?
- Can You Use Glycolic Acid Around The Eyes?
- Can You Use Glycolic Acid On Your Body?
- What Are The Best Products With Glycolic Acid?
- The Bottom Line
What Is Glycolic Acid?
Glycolic acid belongs to the Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) family, a group of exfoliants derived from milk and plants. Glycolic acid is derived from sugar cane. But the type used in skincare products is usually made in a lab.
Glycolic acid is the most famous member of the family. And kind of the main character in the AHA squad. Lactic acid’s the sensitive one, mandelic’s the acne nerd, and glycolic? She’s the overachiever who’s exfoliating, brightening, hydrating, AND helping with collagen, all before your morning coffee.
And yes, she’s intense. Because it’s the smallest AHA, it can get deeper into your skin than other AHAs or scrubs. While your apricot scrub is just pushing dead skin around on the surface, glycolic acid is getting rid of them and giving you all these extra benefits. Translation: Glycolic Acid works better and faster than all other exfoliants.
Related: AHAs VS BHA: Which One Is Right For YOU?
Struggling to put together a skincare routine that banishes dryness and makes your skin supple and dewy? Download your FREE “Best Skincare Routine For Dry Skin” to get started (it features product recommendations + right application order):
Is Glycolic Acid An Effective Exfoliant?
Glycolic acid’s main job is exfoliation. Here’s what’s really going on: your skin naturally sheds dead cells, but as you get older (or stressed, or tired, or just… alive), that process slows way down. So dead skin starts piling up, making your face look dull, rough, and kind of meh.
Glycolic acid fixes that. It breaks down the little protein bonds (think of them like glue) that hold all those crusty old cells in place. Without the glue, those dead cells finally fall off, and the fresher, smoother skin underneath comes out. Dark spots? Start fading. Fine lines? Look less obvious. That weird texture on your cheeks? Smoother.
Related: 10 Reasons Why You Need To Exfoliate
Is Glycolic Acid Better Than Physical Scrubs?
“Ungluing” dead skin cells is a much better way to get rid of them than manual exfoliation. When you scrub your skin with sugar, apricot kernels, or plastic microbeads, you may spend a few seconds more on one area and less on another. You may remove more dead cells, let’s say, on the forehead and fewer on your cheeks.
Plus, scrubs can irritate skin. Apricot kernels are the worst culprits, but anything with rough and jarred edges can scratch skin. Spend a few seconds too long on one area and it’ll get all red and irritated. Compare that with Glycolic acid. You apply that all over, getting a more even and precise exfoliation WITHOUT lacerations.
Related: Physical VS Chemical Exfoliation: What’s The Difference?
Can Glycolic Acid Treat Sun Damage?
If better exfoliation alone isn’t enough to make you switch, how about this? Glycolic acid can make you look younger. Scrubs only remove dead cells from the surface of your skin. That’s it. Glycolic acid goes the extra mile. At 10%+ concentrations, it boosts collagen production, too.
Collagen is the protein that keeps your skin firm and elastic. The more collagen your skin has, the longer it keeps sagging and wrinkling at bay. Scientists think this is how Glycolic acid helps reduce the fine lines and wrinkles you already have, too.
Related: 8 Science-Backed Ways To Replenish Lost Collagen
Is Glycolic Acid Hydrating?
Wait… there’s more! Glycolic acid moisturizes skin, too. This acid increases the levels of hyaluronic acid in the skin. Hyaluronic acid is a moisture magnet that can hold 1000 times its weight in water! Once your skin has all that moisture, it stays soft all day and looks plumper, too.
So if your skin’s been feeling dry, tight, or just kinda shriveled (you know that dehydrated raisin look?), glycolic might be your unexpected MVP. It clears the way and tells your skin, “Hey, make more of the good stuff.” Just don’t forget to seal it in with a good moisturiser after. Glycolic opens the door—your moisturiser is what seals it in.
Related: Why You Should Add Hyaluronic Acid To Your Skincare Routine
Glycolic Acid Side Effects
I wish I could tell you there are none… but that wouldn’t be true. Even roses have thorns…
- It makes your skin more sensitive to the sun: Glycolic acid speeds up cell turnover, which is great for glow, but not so great when you step outside. Your fresh baby skin is more vulnerable to UV damage – even if it’s cloudy out. Fix? Sunscreen. Every. Single. Day. No excuses.
- It can sting or tingle at first: Especially if your barrier’s already a little mad at you. A slight tingling is normal when you first start. But if it burns, that’s a nope. Rinse it off.
- High concentrations can irritate the hell out of your skin: Peels with 20%+ glycolic? Leave those to the pros. Start with 5–10% at home and give your skin time to adjust.
- Don’t mix it with everything: If you’re using retinoids, acne meds, or anything intense, adding glycolic might be too much. More isn’t always better. Sometimes it’s just angry red face.
- Overdoing it can wreck your skin barrier: If you’re using glycolic daily, plus a scrub, plus retinol… yeah, your skin will fight back. Think dryness, flaking, redness. Not cute.
Bottom line: glycolic is powerful, but it’s not a “more = better” situation. Go slow, moisturise like it’s your religion, and wear sunscreen like your glow depends on it. Because it does.
Related: These 5 Skincare Treatments Can Damage Skin When Abused
Stop wasting your time and money on stuff that doesn’t work. Click on the image below to download “Skincare That Works” and finally get your best skin day – every day.
Is Purging Normal With Glycolic Acid?
Yep, it can totally happen. Purging is like your skin clearing its throat. It’s speeding up cell turnover, so all the clogged gunk comes to the surface faster. It’s annoying, I know. But if you’re seeing breakouts in your usual breakout zones, give it a few weeks before panicking. If the breakouts are all over or painful, though, it could be irritation instead. Pull back, chill for a bit, then reintroduce slowly.
Related: Purging VS Breakouts: What’s The Difference (And What Should You Do?)
Can You Use Glycolic Acid If You’re Pregnant Or Breastfeeding?
Here’s the deal: there’s not enough solid research to say glycolic acid is 100% safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding, so most experts play it safe and recommend skipping it.
Yes, some derms say low percentages (like under 5–7%) might be okay. But let’s be real: when you’re growing or feeding a tiny human, “might be okay” isn’t exactly reassuring.
If you still want a glow, go for something gentler. Lactic acid is a safer bet and a solid exfoliator. It doesn’t penetrate as deeply as glycolic, but it still gets the job done without the risk.
Related: What Skincare Ingredients Should You Avoid During Pregnancy?
Who Should Use Glycolic Acid?
Glycolic acid ain’t for everyone. It’s a godsend for:
- Dry skin: It exfoliates and hydrates at the same time.
- Mature skin: It exfoliates and fights wrinkles at the same time.
Instead, avoid it if you have:
- Oily, acne-prone skin: Opt for salicylic acid, an exfoliant that unclog pores from within. It’s the only acid that gets rid of acne.
- Sensitive skin: Glycolic acid may be too harsh for your skin type. Lactic acid or a washcloth are better options for you.
Related: Glycolic Acid VS Lactic Acid: Which One Is Right For You?
How Much And How Often Should You Use Glycolic Acid?
PROFESSIONAL PEELS
If you want fast results, you need to get peels. They use between 20-70% Glycolic acid – but they’re super harsh on the skin. Don’t even think of buying them from Amazon. You can seriously destroy your skin. Save yourself the pain and go to a professional.
OTC EXFOLIANTS
OTC concentrations are much lower (<15%) so they work more slowly. They can irritate skin too, but not as severely. Still, start small. Use 5% a couple of times a week and slowly increase both dose and frequency.
CLEANSERS
FYI, while we’re on the subject, don’t bother with cleansers with Glycolic acid. Glycolic acid needs to stay on the skin for hours to work its magic. Rinse it down the drain and you won’t see much of an improvement.
Related: Do Exfoliating Cleansers Work?
What Time Of Day Should You Use Glycolic Acid?
Nighttime, babe. Always nighttime. Glycolic acid makes your skin more sensitive to the sun, so using it in the morning is asking for trouble (and pigmentation). It’s true you can get away with that by piling on the sunscreen. But let’s be honest: are you using enough – and replying during the day? If not, use Glycolic Acid at night. Period.
Can You Use Glycolic Acid With Other Acids Or Actives?
Ah, the million-dollar question: can you mix your acids like a cocktail? Kinda. You can pair glycolic acid with other actives, but you’ve gotta play matchmaker carefully.
- Salicylic acid + Glycolic Acid: Great combo for combination skin BUT only if they’re formulated in the same product. Otherwise, you risk overexfoliating your skin and causing redness, irritation, and all kinds of drama. As a rule, if you have pimples/blackheads, opt for salicylic acid. If your priority is anti-aging or dark spots, go with Glycolic.
- Vitamin C + Glycolic Acid: Not a great brunch date. They’re both acidic and can irritate the heck out of your skin if used together. I recommend you use Vitamin C in the morning and Glycolic Acid at night.
- Retinol + Glycolic Acid: OOF. Only if your barrier is made of steel. Otherwise, you’ll be redder than a tomato in a tanning bed. I like to use them on alternate nights. One night glycolic acid, one night retinol, and so on.
- Hyaluronic acid/Niacinamide + Glycolic Acid: Layering glycolic acid with hydrating stuff like hyaluronic acid or niacinamide is always a great idea. They’re the calm, reliable friends your glycolic acid needs to balance out the party.
Related: Mix And Match: Which Skincare Ingredients You Should Never Use Together
Can You Use Glycolic Acid Around The Eyes?
Absolutely not. Unless you want to cry literal acid tears. The skin around your eyes is crazy thin and delicate. Glycolic acid would bulldoze through it like a wrecking ball. Keep it far, far away from that area. Use a gentle eye cream instead, and let glycolic stick to your cheeks, chin, forehead and nose.
Can You Use Glycolic Acid On Your Body?
1000% yes – and you should. If you’ve got KP (those tiny bumps on the back of your arms), strawberry legs, or a bumpy booty, glycolic acid body lotions are a freakin’ game changer. Same rules apply: don’t overdo it, moisturise after, and wear sunscreen on any area that sees daylight.
What Are The Best Products With Glycolic Acid?
- Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum ($90.00): This exfoliant contains two exfoliants. Glycolic Acid to fade away dark spots and Salicylic Acid to unclog pores. Available at Cult Beauty, Sephora and SpaceNK
- Paula’s Choice Resist Daily Smoothing Treatment with 5% AHA ($33.00): A wonderful low strength Glycolic Acid exfoliant that makes skin softer, smoother, and brighter. Available at Paula’s Choice
- The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution (£6.80): A gentle, no-frills Glycolic Acid exfoliant for people on a budget. Available at Beauty Bay, Cult Beauty, The Ordinary, and Ulta
The Bottom Line
Glycolic acid is an antiaging superstar. It exfoliates, hydrates, brightens, fades dark spots and wrinkles and even boosts collagen. Good luck finding a scrub that does all that!
I’m currently using one by DDF. It’s their ‘10% glycolic exfoliating oil control gel salicylic acid 2% ace treatment’. What a mouthful to say but that’s what’s written on the pump bottle. I use it every few nights instead of retinol and sometimes during the day when I’m not outdoors much.
I don’t trust some skincare on Amazon. I used to order my vitamin C serums there and I occasionally still do, but a few of the brands seem to have fake reviews. Like I never even heard of them a month before and they now have a few hundred reviews? It just seems odd. I could be mistaken though.
Every now and then I do use this LUSH scrub that smells like cookie dough just because it smells so good. And the occasional scrub samples I get from Sephora. 😀
Janessa, oh the power of a good scent. When something smells that good, it’s impossible not to use it.
Could it be that they’re bloggers’ reviews? I know on Goodreads a lot of people write reviews of books before they come out. They get an advanced copy from the publisher who hopes to attract interest in the book. Not sure if those brands use the same tactic. But if they are small and unknown, it’s always best to err on the side of caution. You never know. Some may get friends to write fake reviews.
I’ve read AHAs are pH sensitive and that it’s crucial to make sure products containing them are between pH 3 and 4.5. Any truth to this and if so, is there any way to determine whether a product falls within this range?
Vanity, yes, that’s true. Unfortunately, it’s often impossible to determine the ph of a product. You could do a test using ph strips. Or, sometimes, a product contains ingredients that work well at a basic ph and others at an alkaline one, so you know that something is off.
I love Glycolic and swear by it! I’m a few weeks away from my 40th birthday and most people place my firm, wrinkle-free face in the first half of my 30s. I always thought I’d be buying myself botox or fillers for my 40th, but no need 🙂 I’ve been using glycolic acid since my 20s.
Sage, it’s wonderful, isn’t it? Definitely one of the best treatments for anti-aging, and a great help in keeping botox away. 🙂
Hi Sage, may I ask what concentration of Glycolic acid you have been using?
I actually have a serum that contains both AHA and BHA and I love it! 😉
http://www.iherb.com/Earth-Science-Active-Age-Defense-A-B-Hydroxy-Acid-Night-Rejuvenator-1-fl-oz-30-ml/21481
Stavroula, sounds great!
Hi Gio
First off, I am grateful to you for all the advice.
I am a 26 year old male and am considering starting Paula’s choice 8% AHA. Using it daily in the morning followed by SPF.
Q1) Do you think its too early an age to start?
Q2) I know my skin can tolerate 8% AHA daily. Is daily use too frequent?
please let me know
SK, I think it’s great that you want to start taking better care of your skin. And nope, 26 is definitely not too early too start.
And that depends. If your skin can tolerate it, then there’s no reason why you can’t use it daily.
Hope this helps.
I like to ask if I can use the glycolic mosituriser of Thomas Peter Roth on my eyes area. My eyes area are extremely dry. Will it be too harsh?
Xy, you won’t know until you try it. but yes, that’s a possibility.
I have been reading your blog and understand that mosituriser are good enough for the under eye as well. But I ended up buying the glycolic gel which is suitable for all skin types instead of the mosituriser. I find the gel not mositurisering enough. I will try the cream one next. The thing is it stated on the bottle to avoid with eyes and mucous membranes. Not so sure what it meant. I did apply a thin layer under my eye, so far not much of adverse effects.
Such a pity you don’t do reviews on Korean or Japanese products. I’m from Asia and it’s very popular here.
XY, I find most creams and gels say “not suitable for the eye area”, yet they contain the same ingredients as eye creams! As long as they don’t contain fragrance or any other irritating ingredients, you can safely use them.
It’s funny you mention that, because I have just got a couple of Korean products. They’re makeup products, but skincare stuff may follow soon. 🙂
Hi Gio
I hv been hv a good time reading ur blog
Currently I’m using Caudalie glycolic mask 10 mins 2 t
times week
I want to switch to the Ordinary glycolic toner
How do I use it
Tqvm
Rajesh, you can use it every other night after cleansing. 🙂
There is a very affordable brand with good AHA options. It’s Alpha Skincare, formerly known as Alpha Hydrox. It gets high ratings on.Beautypedia.
Sherry, thanks for sharing. I think I tried one of their products and it was very good indeed.
The only thing I’m concerned about is indirect premature ageing caused by exfoliation which speeds up the skin’s renewal process. Apparently a skin cell itself ages and the number of times it renews itself is the way it ages. I wonder if there is a bigger price to pay later.
Ella, in moderation, it is fine. You can check out this article for more information: https://www.truthinaging.com/review/the-truth-about-hayflick-limit
The best EVER article I have EVER read about glycolic acid. You sum it all up beautifully. Thank you! I am subscribing to your blog.
Sheryl, thank you! So glad you loved the article and thanks for subscribing,
Hi – I was so happy when your blog came up in my search results; I was trying tonremember the name of the swelling/irritation that glycolic acid can create. I didn’t find it in your post, but having read it I am leaving my first ever comment/question:
My understanding is it glycolic acid is not chirally correct and can have a damaging effect on skin over the long-term. Can you please address this issue of chirality? Thanks so much!
Johanna, I will do a post about it or edit this one. In the meantime, you can check this out: https://www.cosmedixuk.com/skin-cop-constance-campion-chirality-vs-glycolic-acids-part-2/
I just spent a boatload of money on glycolic acid and a variety of other products by dr. Dennis gross (before I found your blog) do you know anything about his products or have you ever done a review?
Kate, I find it to be a good line most of the time. I’m a big fan of the Retinol + Ferulic Acid serums for eyes and face but their exfoliating products use a bit too much alcohol for my liking. Having said that, if you apply a good moisturiser afterwards and don’t have sensitive skin, the alcohol content likely won’t be a problem.
You may also find this post interesting:http://www.beautifulwithbrains.com/dr-dennis-gross-best-worst-average/
Great info, thank you! I’m excited to try one of these. I too have used scrubs in the past. This may be a silly question- but if you use glycolic do you still need a manual exfoliant – or will the dead skin dissolve naturally when washing your face?
Kelly, no, if you use glycolic acid you don’t need a manual exfoliant. Glycolic acid and manual exfoliation do the same thing so you only need to pick one. 🙂
Detailed read on glycolic acids!Thank you! I’m very new to these acids.. I have combination to dry skin..occasional breakouts, but loads of stuborn blackheads here and there..I’m 32 and would like to know if it’s ok to start off with 5% glycolic acid toner.. would it help?
Shalini, if your main concern is blackheads, salicylic acid would be a better option. You can find more about it here: http://giorgiaguazzarotti.com/nadine-rohner-interview/
Unlike salicylic acid, glycolic acid won’t get inside the pores and unclog them from within. So try salicylic first and, once the blackheads have disappeared, you can switch to glycolic.
Hi. I’m 27 and I apply a glycolic acid serum every night and I was wondering, should I also start retinol? I keep reading that it’s an essential part of a nighttime skincare routine but how is it different from glycolic acid. Do I need it or is glycolic acid enough?
If you think it’s essential that I start using it, how should I incorporate it into my nighttime routine considering that I also use glycolic acid, and what are the best products in your opinion?
Sorry for all the questions and thanks!
Meg, retinol (and all forms of vitamin A) is the only thing that’s proven to reduce wrinkles once they’ve appeared. It also boosts collagen production, preventing them in the first place. If you’re serious about anti aging, you should add it to your skincare routine indeed.
The best way to start would be to pick a product with a low amount of retinol and alternate it with the glycolic acid at night. One night glycolic, the other retinol…
You can check out my tips on how to use retinol and what products to try here: http://www.beautifulwithbrains.com/strength-retinol-need/
Hi! I’ve been using a moisturizer with Glycolic Acid copolymer. Does it have the same potency as Glycolic Acid? And does it cause sun sensitivity? I’ve only been applying sunscreen in the morning under my makeup. I’m wondering if that’s enough protection?
Shauntel, if you’re applying the recommended amount of sunscreen (about 1/4 teaspoon for the face), it’s protection enough. It’ll exfoliate your skin without side effects.
Hello, first thank you for so much information on glycerin acid. It was actually difficult to search for info about it that was not from generalized websites that lack more depth about it. After reading the 2 articles linked here, I want to know if PHAs and BHAs also can be safe for daily use without shortening the Hayflick Limit on our skin?
Christine, the Hayflick Limit doesn’t really apply to exfoliation. This post explains why: http://thebeautybrains.com/2014/04/does-exfoliating-make-you-run-out-of-skin-the-beauty-brains-show-episode-24/
Having said that, I wouldn’t use any exfoliant every day unless my skin were really oily and resistant. Dead cells are there for a reason: to protect the raw skin underneath from sun damage, pollution etc. If you exfoliate daily, you may remove too many dead cells and irritate your skin.
Hi! I have a glycolic acid toner. Can I use with vitamin C serum? Does the order matter?
KR, that could be too irritating. Use Vitamin C in the morning and glycolic acid at night.
Hi Gio,
Thank you for the interesting article and informative comments. I am 41, normal – dry skin. Never used glycolic acid. Do you think 10% pads could be a good start to reduce pores and even wrinkles like crow feet, frown and smile lines? Would you suggest any brand?
Thanks!
Sam, I’d start with 5% and see how your skin takes it before upgrading. A common mistake with exfoliation is that people use higher concentrations or exfoliate every day to get faster results… and it massively backfires! Overexfoliation just irritate skin and it can take a while to recover from it.
Hi Gio, just discovered your website serendipitously and I’m so impressed with all the information. I’ve been reading it for the last hour!
I’m 34 with normal/combination skin – shamefully, not very well looked after – but it’s been not too bad considering, so far. However my pores have become visibly larger in the last couple of years, and recently I’ve noticed fine lines & crows feet under my eyes (I’ve always had bad dark circles too).
Because of that and the general dullness of my skin I’ve been wanting to incorporate AHAs or BHA into my skincare (and improve my routine generally!). Would you recommend glycolic or salicylic acid for my skin please?
And any recommendations for eye care? Thanks!
Tanvi, thank you for your kind words. So glad you’re enjoying the website. Try salicylic acid. Or you can go for a product that has both, like Drunk elephant Glycolic Night Serum.
For eye care, check out this post: https://www.beautifulwithbrains.com/do-you-really-need-an-eye-cream/
Hi, can you help me figure this out like how to combine it? I have here the vit c serum, vit a retinol and glycolic acid, i dont know the how to order that for AM and PM..
DJ, Vitamin C in the morning. At night, alternate retinol and glycolic acid.
Hi Gio,
Thanks for the great info!
I have been using The Ordinary granactive retanoid 2% for a few months now every night, and I recently ran out of my scrub so was looking at using a non physical exfoliant like Glycolic Acid instead, for exfoliating purposes, how many times a week would you recommend the glycolic? I’m 30 and at night I currently the Retinoid followed by Hyluranoic Acid for moisture and then a simple night creme. In the day I put on Hylurnoic and then a spf 30 Mineral BB cream. Thanks in advance 🙂
Monica, alternate it at night with retinol. One night glycolic, the following retinol.
Hello 👋🏻
Sorry, my English is so weak so my question is simple:
Why we have to avoid it if we have oily and acne prone skin? Thank you
Nena, oily and acne-prone skin needs an exfoliant that can unclog pores. Glycolic acid can’t do it.