THE BEST GLYCOLIC ACID SERUMS – 2023
If your skin looks dull and tired, your pores are clogged, blackheads abound and you suffer from mild acne – you need to find the best glycolic acid serum for your skin – as soon as possible!
With problem skin, there is no time to waste, which is why I have done all of the research for you – to make your life easier. On this page I have listed all of my glycolic acid reviews, so all you need to do is skim my list below, click on the links for the glycolic acid serums you prefer, read my review and then check out today’s best price.
Which Glycolic Acid Serums are best?
All of these serums have glycolic acid as the main key ingredient, so they are the perfect exfoliating serums that can give your skin a serious makeover. The serums that contain 10% glycolic acid are pretty mild and as far as the FDA are concerned, can be safely used at home.
The FDA recommends that glycolic acid serums between 10% and 50% should be administered by trained professionals, and those over 50% are generally only used by medical doctors and dermatologists.
So using serums that contain glycolic acid at home is not to be taken lightly and the best glycolic acid serum is one with the smallest percentage of glycolic acid that does the job. Just remember that the family of AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), of which glycolic acid is a member can increase the sensitivity of your skin to the sun – so you need to protect your skin from the sun whenever you are using a glycolic acid serum (and for a few weeks following).
This is the most popular glycolic acid serum for clearing your skin and reducing mild pigmentation problems, containing Willow Bark, Jojoba Beads, MSM, Kojic Acid, Rosehip Oil and Tea Tree Oil. You can read my FULL review here, but as it’s currently selling for less than $20 on Amazon, it is best to check the latest updated price.
Best glycolic acid serum for acne
Best glycolic acid serum for oily skin
Glycolic Acid Serum Comparisons
Read Review | Glycolic Acid % | Ingredients | Additives |
Body Merry | 2.5% | Glycolic acid, Willow Bark, Jojoba Beads, MSM, Kojic Acid, Rosehip Oil, Tea Tree Oil | Free from sulfates, parabens, propylene glycol and GMOs. |
Organica | 2% | Glycolic Acid, Vitamin C 10%, Hyaluronic Acid, Kojic Acid 2%, Witch Hazel, MSM, Salicylic Acid | 100% Organic. Free from parabens and propylene glycol. |
Alpha | 14% | Glycolic Acid, Green Tea, Sodium Hyaluronate, Aloe | Free from fragrances, parabens and oils. Contains propylene glycol. |
QRxLabs | 50% | Glycolic Acid, Chamomile, Green Tea | Free from parabens, propylene glycol and artifical fragrances. |
Perfect Image | 50% | Glycolic Acid, Green Tea, Chamomile, Comfrey, Retinol | Free from parabens and sulfates. Contains propylene glycol. |
Perfect Image | 30% | Glycolic Acid, Green Tea, Chamomile, Comfrey, Retinol | Free from parabens and sulfates. Contains propylene glycol. |
Joyal Beauty | 1.5% | Glycolic Acid, Willow Bark, Salicylic Acid, 1% Aloe, Witch Hazel, Vegan Hyaluronic Acid, MSM, Kojic Acid | Free from parabens, sulfates, phthalates, petrochemicals, mineral oil, alcohol and propylene glycol. |
Cosmetic Skin Solutions | 1.5% | Glycolic Acid, Kombucha, Hyaluronic Acid, Lactic Acid 1.5% | Free from parabens and propylene glycol. |
Watts | 6% | Glycolic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid 50%, Koji Acid, Salicylic Acid 1%, Aloe, Willow BArk, Licorice, Ginseng, Horseradish | Free from parabens and propylene glycol. |
Sublime Beauty | 2% | Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid 3%, Aloe, Witch Hazel | Free from parabens and propylene glycol. |
OZ Naturals | 30% | Aqua/Water/Eau, Glycolic Acid, Propanediol, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenylpropanol, Caprylyl Glycol | Free from parabens, sulfates, phthalates, benzyl alcohol, synthetic fragrances and propylene glycol. |
InstaNatural | 30% | Glycolic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin C, Sunflower Seed Oil | Free from parabens, sulfates, propylene glycol, mineral oil, formaldehyde and synthetic dyes. |
Paula's Choice | 8% | Glycolic Acid, Green Tea, Vitamin E, Licorice, Camomile | Free from parabens, fragrances and propylene glycol. |
Divine | 40% | Glycolic Acid and Water | Free from parabens and propylene glycol. |
What are the benefits of glycolic acid serums?
Glycolic acid serums are used because they cause exfoliation of the top layers of the skin. This removes all of the built-up debris that has blocked the pores, created blackheads and mild acne, and made your skin look dull, tired and aged.
The extent of exfoliation achieved with a glycolic acid serum depends on the concentration of the glycolic acid in the serum and on the mix of other ingredients. For example, lactic acid, salicyclic acid, citric acid and kojic acid all help to exfoliate your skin and increase cellular turnover.
Exfoliation of superficial layers of skin
Smooths and evens fine lines
Improves skin texture and skin tone
Reduces hyper-pigmentation and skin discolorations
Improves damage due to photo-aging
Suppresses melanin production by inhibition of tyrosinase activity
Clears blocked pores
Assists in removing blackheads
Brightens, refreshes and clears your skin
When mixed with other powerful ingredients, a glycolic acid serum can be a wonderful addition to your beauty routine, helping to keep your complexion clean, fresh and healthy.
Most effective glycolic acid serums for acne
All of the serums with glycolic acid will help to exfoliate your skin, which in turn helps to reduce acne. However, the most popular glycolic acid serum for acne needs to contain other ingredients that support the glycolic acid to clean your skin, unblock pores and keep it free from bacteria.
After a thorough search through many glycolic acid serums we have found that the best glycolic acid serum for acne prone and blemished skin is the serum by Body Merry.
The reason that this glycolic acid serum is so awesome for clearing acne and keeping your skin clean and fresh is that it contains the right combination of ingredients.
Willow Bark to reduce inflammation
Jojoba Beads that moisturize and gently exfoliate your skin
MSM, which is a natural sulfur compound that is fabulous at clearing acne
Kojic Acid to brighten your skin and reduce discolorations
Rosehip Oil which helps to heal acne scars and aids cellular renewal
Tea Tree Oil which has natural antibacterial properties
Most popular glycolic acid serums for oily skin
When you have blocked pores, blemished skin and an oily complexion you need a glycolic acid serum that doesn’t make your skin any more greasy!
All of the glycolic acids are pretty good at reducing the amount of oil in your skin, however there are some ingredients that are better than others. These include willow bark, salicylic acid and witch hazel – and they can all be found in the Joyal Beauty glycolic acid serum.
This is only a very mild glycolic acid (1.5%), but you don’t want to strip your face, you just want to balance the oil and clean out your pores. With plenty of 4 and 5 star reviews, this is the best glycolic acid serum for oily skin.
Willow Bark is a natural exfoliant that helps to reduce the oil in your skin
Salicylic acid to remove old sebum and debris from your pores
Witch Hazel is a natural astringent that assists in reducing sebum
An easy guide to the highest rated glycolic acid serums for your skin
We will keep the reviews and these ratings up-to-date for you, so you always know which are the highest rated glycolic acid serums at any given time. This means that you don’t have to go to the trouble of trying to compare different glycolic acid serums yourself, because I have done all of the leg work for you.
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With 40% glycolic acid, the DIVINE Glycolic Acid Skin Peel is one of the stronger alpha hydroxy peels on the market helping to minimize the appearance of uneven skin texture and other signs of ageing. It’s designed to improve your skin tone, stimulate the production of collagen and reduce the appearance of fine lines and large pores. As part of your skincare routine, the DIVINE Glycolic Acid Skin Peel supports natural cell turnover and helps to give you clean, healthy and beautiful looking skin.
Paula’s Choice 8% Gel Exfoliant is a mild and non-abrasive glycolic acid exfoliator that gently removes the dead skin cells and debris from your skin, revealing the radiance hidden below. With powerful antioxidants, the surface of your skin is revitalized, firmness is enhanced and mild discolorations and fine lines reduced. Your skin is smoother and softer and looks more healthy, clean and vibrant.
With its advanced resurfacing formula, the InstaNatural Glycolic Acid Peel is designed to professionally exfoliate layers of dead cells from your skin and reveal the younger and fresher skin hidden underneath. These dead skin cells and other debris clog your pores and build up on the surface of your skin, giving your complexion an aged and tired look that is unattractive and undeserved! It also helps to remove blackheads and white heads that gives your skin a bumpy appearance.