We know sugar can harm your skin, so it may seem surprising that glycolic acid—derived from sugar cane—can actually transform dull, tired skin into a radiant, youthful glow. “Glycolic acid is one of the most widely used alpha-hydroxy acids in dermatology, known for exfoliating, resurfacing, and rejuvenating skin,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Anetta Reszko.

### Vogue’s Top Glycolic Acid Picks
– Best Overall: SkinCeuticals Glycolic 10 Renew Overnight, $96
– Best Budget: L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Bright Reveal Peel Pads, $30
– Best Toner: The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner, $13
– Best Cleanser: Jan Marini Bioglycolic Face Cleanser, $50
– Best for Dark Spots: La Roche-Posay Glycolic B5 Serum, $45
– Best Mask: Dr. Idriss Major Fade Dark Spot AHA Face Mask, $48
– Best Pads: Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel, $92
– Best Weekly Treatment: Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial, $80
– Best Fast-Acting: La Prairie Cellular 3-Minute Peel, $295

Glycolic acid works by speeding up cell turnover, breaking down dead skin cells to reveal fresher, brighter skin. It also boosts collagen production, fades discoloration, smooths texture, prevents clogged pores, and enhances radiance. “It even has humectant properties to help skin retain moisture,” adds dermatologist Dr. Kiran Mian.

### What to Know Before Using Glycolic Acid
While highly effective, glycolic acid can cause irritation if misused. The key is choosing the right formula and concentration for your skin type. Below, dermatologists break down what to look for—plus their top product recommendations.

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### Best Overall: SkinCeuticals Glycolic 10 Renew Overnight
Price: $96
Why We Love It: Ideal for those ready for a potent treatment, this formula mimics a professional 10% peel. Start slow to avoid irritation, and pair with a rich moisturizer to combat dryness.
Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, phytic acid, jojoba oil
Size: 1.7 fl. oz.

### Best Toner: The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner
Price: $13
Why We Love It: Infused with soothing ginseng and Tasmanian pepperberry, this gentle yet effective toner brightens skin and smooths rough patches (even on the body).
Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, ginseng root extract, Tasmanian pepperberry extract
Size: 8.11 fl. oz.

### Best Cleanser: Jan Marini Bioglycolic Face Cleanser
Price: $50
Why We Love It: A great intro to glycolic acid for sensitive skin—since it’s washed off, it minimizes irritation while still delivering results.
Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, soothing botanicals
Size: 6 fl. oz.Here’s the rewritten text in clear and natural English:

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Won’t Stay on Long Enough to Cause Irritation – or add extra exfoliation to your already active skincare routine. The non-foaming formula removes dirt and excess oil while hydrating with sorbitol and palmitic acid to strengthen your skin barrier, so your face won’t feel dry after washing.

Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, sorbitol, palmitic acid
Size: 8 fl. oz.

Best Budget: L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Bright Reveal Brightening Peel Pads
Price: $20 (Amazon)

Why We Love It: This affordable option combines glycolic acid with ascorbyl glucoside (a gentle vitamin C derivative) for brightening, plus hydrating glycerin. The textured pads give a deep-clean feel without being harsh.

Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, glycerin, ascorbyl glucoside
Size: 30 pads

Best Moisturizer: Dermatologist’s Choice Ultra Anti-Aging Cream
Price: $150 (Amazon)

Why We Love It: This brand uses pure glycolic acid (the strongest form), making it as effective as prescription retinoids—without the initial breakout phase. A tiny amount of the rich, shea butter-infused cream covers your whole face for serious skin renewal.

Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, shea butter, vitamin E
Size: 1.7 oz.

Best for Dark Spots: La Roche-Posay Glycolic B5 Serum
Price: $45 (Amazon)

Why We Love It: This French pharmacy favorite combines glycolic acid with dark spot-fighting tranexamic and kojic acids to fade sun spots, hyperpigmentation, and melasma. Soothing vitamin B5 keeps skin calm.

Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, tranexamic acid, kojic acid
Size: 1 fl. oz.

Best Pads: Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel
Price: $92 (Nordstrom) / $65 (Amazon)

Why We Love It: A cult-favorite daily peel with glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids plus calming green tea and chamomile for brighter, smoother skin. Individually wrapped for easy travel.

Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, green tea
Size: 30 treatments

Best Weekly Treatment: Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial
Price: $80 (Amazon / Drunk Elephant)

Why We Love It: A powerful 25% AHA blend (glycolic, lactic, tartaric, and citric acids) plus 2% salicylic acid revitalizes skin in 20 minutes. Start with 10 minutes if the tingling is too strong!

Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, chickpea flour
Size: 1.69 oz.

Best for Sensitive Skin: Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting Glycolic Acid 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant
Price: $37 (Amazon)

Why We Love It: Despite its 8% glycolic acid strength, this gel exfoliant soothes with green tea, aloe, and chamomile. It absorbs completely, leaving no residue.

Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, aloe, green tea extract, chamomile extract
Size: 3.3 fl. oz.

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Let me know if you’d like any further refinements!Best Fast-Acting: La Prairie Cellular 3-Minute Peel
La Prairie Cellular 3-Minute Peel
$295 at NORDSTROM | SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

Why We Love It: It’s rare to find a peel that’s both luxurious and fast-acting, but La Prairie’s formula resurfaces skin in just three minutes a week, leaving it instantly brighter and smoother. Glycolic and lactic acids remove dead skin cells, while salicylic acid clears pores. The velvety post-peel feel keeps us hooked, and the included mini brush makes application feel like a pampering weekly ritual.

Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid
Size: 1.4 oz.

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Best Mask: Dr. Idriss Major Fade Dark Spot AHA Face Mask
Dr. Idriss Major Fade Dark Spot Face Mask
$48 at DR IDRISS

Why We Love It: This potent mask combines glycolic acid (15%) and lactic acid (3%) to exfoliate and fade dark spots while helping tranexamic acid penetrate deeper. Use it up to three times weekly to tackle discoloration from breakouts, melasma, or sun damage—just start slow if your skin is sensitive.

Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, tranexamic acid, lactic acid
Size: 1.7 fl. oz.

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### Everything You Need to Know

What percentage of glycolic acid is best?
The strength of glycolic acid depends on its concentration and pH. For daily use:
– 4–6% (pH 3.8–4.2) is ideal for sensitive skin.
– 8–10% works well for normal/combination skin seeking brightness and texture improvement.

Dermatologist Dr. Mian warns that while over-the-counter products may contain up to 15%, professional peels (30–70%) should only be used by experts—DIY use risks burns, discoloration, or scarring. Stick to retail products for safe at-home care.

What to Look for in Glycolic Acid Products
Beyond concentration and pH, consider the formula type:
– Cleansers: Gentle for sensitive skin but offer mild results.
– Serums/Toners: Balance effectiveness and tolerability.
– Peels/Masks: Fast results but potent—patch test first.

Look for hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or ceramides to support skin barrier health.To strengthen the skin barrier and soothe irritation, look for ingredients like panthenol, allantoin, niacinamide, green tea, and cica. If you’re concerned about irritation, avoid glycolic acid products that also contain strong actives like retinoids, vitamin C, benzoyl peroxide, or salicylic acid. That said, some great products combine glycolic acid with salicylic acid or retinol—just keep in mind these tend to be stronger, so if you have sensitive skin, introduce them slowly.

How to use glycolic acid in your skincare routine:
Since glycolic acid comes in various forms and strengths, how you use it depends on your preference. However, it’s best applied in the evening, as it can increase sun sensitivity. Start by using it once or twice a week to test how your skin reacts, then gradually increase to every other night or nightly. “Always follow with moisturizer, and in the morning, apply broad-spectrum SPF 30,” advises Dr. Reszko. Skipping sunscreen would be counterproductive, since glycolic acid helps reverse sun damage. For deeper results, Dr. Reszko suggests pairing your at-home routine with professional glycolic acid peels every few months.

How often should you use glycolic acid?
Frequency depends on the product, your skin type, goals, and the rest of your routine. “For most people, two to three times a week with a 5–10% leave-on serum is a good starting point,” says Dr. Reszko. (Stronger masks or peels should be used weekly or biweekly, while a glycolic acid cleanser can be used daily.) If your skin tolerates it well, you can increase usage.

If you use other strong exfoliants like salicylic acid or retinoids (e.g., tretinoin), adjust your routine accordingly. Dr. Mian recommends skin cycling—alternating days between actives to avoid over-exfoliation. For example, use retinoids on Sunday and Thursday nights, and glycolic acid on Wednesday and Saturday. A dermatologist can help you incorporate glycolic acid and other actives effectively while minimizing irritation.

Meet the Experts:
– Dr. Anetta Reszko, board-certified dermatologist in New York, NY.
– Dr. Kiran Mian, board-certified dermatologist at Hudson Dermatology and Laser Surgery in New York, NY.