If a bouncy, radiant complexion is your skin goal, glycolic acid should be your go-to ingredient. This alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) gently exfoliates to sweep away dead skin cells, unclog pores, and help clear breakouts – renewing your glow in one easy step. Whether you choose a toner, single-use pads, or a fuss-free body stick, glycolic acid is a simple way to hit reset on dull, congested skin.


Your questions, Answered
Glycolic acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) derived from sugar cane, helps to speed up cell turnover to reveal fresher, more youthful-looking skin.
Glycolic acid offers many benefits for your face and body:
- Promotes a smoother, brighter complexion
- Evens out skin tone
- Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Helps to fight acne
- Minimises the appearance of pores
You can incorporate glycolic acid into your routine in several ways. For example, The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Toner can be applied after cleansing, before your serum, while Sunday Riley’s glycolic acid serum can be used underneath your moisturiser for a more targeted treatment. If you’re keen to up your bodycare game, The INKEY List’s glycolic acid body stick is easy to swipe across arms, legs, and anywhere you need it.
Glycolic acid is considered safe for all skin types, but it is best suited for those with dry to normal, oily, or acne-prone skin. We recommend everyone - especially those with sensitive or reactive skin - introduces glycolic acid gradually and in low concentrations, to ease redness and/or irritation. And always follow up with SPF!
You can use glycolic acid with retinol, but it’s important to use them carefully to avoid irritation. Introduce each ingredient slowly and keep an eye out for signs of irritation. We highly recommend always following the instructions.