12 Glycolic Acid Cleansers That Make Every Skin Type Glow
With so many powerful acids in popular skincare products, it can be hard for your skincare routine to keep up. You’ve got your AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids) and BHAs (beta hydroxy acids), and then within those categories, you have the specific acids themselves. You’re probably most familiar with moisture-binding hyaluronic acid—but glycolic acid (a sugarcane-derived AHA) is also pretty common.
Known for its powerful exfoliation properties (bye bye, buildup; hello, brightening!), along with an ability to improve skin tone and texture, minimize hyperpigmentation, and prevent breakouts, glycolic acid really is a jack of all trades. And glycolic acid products are usually also formulated with chamomile or aloe vera to ensure calming properties and avoid being too aggressive on the skin. While glycolic acid is recommended most for acne-prone and oily skin, other skin types also known to benefit from its use are dry skin, combination skin, and everything in between. But note that if you have sensitive skin, you’ll want to do a patch test or speak to your dermatologist before diving in (and be sure to wear sunscreen!).
Glycolic acid is found in everything from toner to body wash, so chances are, you may have used it before. But if you’re totally new to glycolic acid, face cleansers are a great place to start—because not only are we always in favor of a deep cleansing, but cleansers are made to wash off, which gives your skin a more gentle way to ease into a new formulation. Below, we’re sharing the glycolic acid face wash recommendations of experts, along with some of our own personal picks.
Meet the Expert
Kler Rosenberg is the founder of ANGEL SKIN. She has a background in permanent makeup and has helped introduce microblading to the U.S.
Masha Amelina, PA-C, is a physician’s assistant at Visage Sculpture cosmetic clinic in Boston and the owner of MESOLYFT.
1. Best Glycolic Acid Cleanser for Oily Skin:
SKINCEUTICALS Glycolic Renewal Cleanser
With 8% glycolic acid with 1% phytic acid, this product is recommended for oily skin because it removes oil and dirt effectively without stripping your skin. “This cleanser is my favorite glycolic cleanser because it gently exfoliates and foams up nicely,” says Kler Rosenberg, founder of Angel Skin medical-grade skincare.
2. Best Exfoliating Glycolic Acid Cleanser:
MURAD AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser
Acid-packed and science-backed, this creamy cleanser is one of Rosenberg’s favorites because it gives her skin a smooth feeling and exfoliates by way of jojoba beads and three acids (glycolic, lactic, and salicylic). The acids stimulate cell turnover, while the jojoba beads exfoliate and remove dull, dry skin to improve the penetration of the products—aka just what you need to set your complexion up for the best skincare routine possible.
3. Most Versatile Glycolic Acid Cleanser:
MARIO BADESCU Glycolic Foaming Cleanser
This cleanser is super lightweight and helps with multiple concerns, such as acne, wrinkles, and dullness. Great for all skin types, the soothing botanical blend in this cleanser helps you avoid irritation and redness. But be sure to heed Rosenberg’s advice: “Remember, this one is not a daily cleanser, it’s more of a weekly cleanser.”
4. Best Gentle Glycolic Acid Cleanser:
PETER THOMAS ROTH Pre-Treatment Exfoliating Cleanser
This exfoliating cleanser helps calm and soothe the skin while sloughing away dead skin cells and impurities and improving signs of aging. Rosenberg especially likes this product because it helps reduce the appearance of pores, fine lines, and wrinkles.
5. Best Clay Glycolic Acid Cleanser:
JACK BLACK Deep Dive® Glycolic Facial Cleanser
This cleanser, formulated with kaolin clay and volcanic ash, is gentle and clearing without overdrying your skin. “It’s perfect for oily skin because it has a clay base that washes away dead skin cells and dirt while smoothing the skin,” Rosenberg says.
6. Best Glycolic Acid Cleanser for Acne-Prone Skin:
SKINCEUTICALS Purifying Cleanser
This cleanser, designed for acne-prone oily skin, features hydrating glycerin as one of its main ingredients. MesoLyft skincare founder, Masha Amelina PA-C, likes it because it dries out blemishes and makes the skin feel clean while maintaining its moisture levels.
7. Best Glycolic Acid Cleanser Packed With Other Acids:
SKINMEDICA AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser
If you’re looking for an acid-packed powerhouse, this cleanser has you covered. Intended to slough off dead cells, unclog pores, and add some glow back into your skin, this product combines several acids together (think: glycolic, citric, malic, lactic, and salicylic) to get the job done. “I like that they have added jojoba beads to help complete the exfoliation process,” Amelina explains. “Anything with beads, I think, has that additional mechanical factor that removes dead cells.”
8. Best Glycolic Acid Cleanser for Sensitive Skin:
DR. DENNIS GROSS Alpha Beta® AHA/BHA Daily Cleansing Gel
While indeed most glycolic acid cleansers are designed with sensitive skin in mind, this particular product really prioritizes even the most sensitive among us. It’s formulated with ingredients that actually hydrate your skin (in addition to exfoliating old skin cells). Amelina is a fan of this product for sensitive, acne-prone types.
9. Best Glycolic Acid Cleanser for Adult Acne:
PROACTIV Skin Smoothing Exfoliator
Raise your hand if you’ve noticed your skin type has changed as you’ve gotten older. You’re not imagining it—so if adult acne has been making an unwelcome appearance in your skincare world, then you’ll love this product from PROACTIV. “It’s my favorite cleanser in the world because it really worked for me to help get rid of adult acne,” Amelina says. “The main ingredients are glycolic acid and benzoyl peroxide. I love microbeads that gently and effectively exfoliate dead cells, unclog pores, and leave my skin feeling very clean.”
10. Best Glycolic Acid Cleanser for Reducing the Appearance of Pores:
KATE SOMERVILLE ExfoliKate® Cleanser Daily Foaming Wash
Sadly, it’s true, pores don’t disappear. But it’s not all bad news: You can actually minimize the appearance of those annoying indentations with the help of this all-star product that we personally know and love. Packed with lactic acid and fruit enzymes, this formula creates a foamy, gentle exfoliation that clears away dirt and impurities, leaving those pores way less noticeable.
11. Best Glycolic Acid Foam Cleanser:
FORMULYST Clarifying AHA Cleanser
Foam cleansers can often strip the skin, but this powerhouse product provides a complex blend of soothing citrus and botanical extracts that draws out pore-clogging impurities and removes excess oil without leaving your skin feeling parched. Instead, you’ll find yourself renewed and refreshed—which makes this one of our all-time favorite formulas.
12. Best Glycolic Acid Cleanser on a Budget:
ITK Exfoliating Gel Cleanser
Another acid-packed powerhouse on the list, this cleanser, perfect for skincare newbies, also features lactic acid and malic acid. Made to exfoliate and revive dullness, this affordable product from new skincare brand ITK (that stands for “In the Know”!) is suitable for most skin types.
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