Find the best glycolic acid body wash for your skin type, skin condition, and budget! Overall, my top recommendation is Glytone Exfoliating Body Wash.
A glycolic acid body wash is a wonderful way to cleanse your skin and remove impurities, while exfoliating dead skin cells and increasing the penetration of subsequent skincare products.
It's especially useful if you have keratosis pilaris, rough skin, red bumps, or body acne.
But with so many glycolic acid body washes on the market, which one is right for you? 🤔
In this post, I'll discuss how to choose a glycolic acid body wash and my top recommendations, but we'll need to start from the beginning with an often forgotten concept: free acid value.
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Whether you're shopping for a glycolic acid body wash, a lactic acid lotion, or a chemical peel, it's very important that you understand the concept of free acid value (FAV).
In short, free acid value is a better measure of the true concentration of glycolic acid than the raw percentage on the product (unless it specifically says "free acid value").
That's because glycolic acid, like all acids, exists in two forms (in aqueous solution):
Here's an excellent diagram by LabMuffin that shows these two forms of glycolic acid:
The free acid form of glycolic acid is on the left while the ionized/dissociated products, namely a hydrogen ion (H+) and the conjugate base of glycolic acid (OH-), are on the right.
At lower pH levels: more free acids are present which raises the effectiveness of glycolic acid but increases the potential for skin irritation as well.
At higher pH levels: fewer free acids are present which lowers the effectiveness of glycolic acid but increases its safety profile by reducing the potential for skin irritation.
💡 Putting it all together: the raw percentage of a glycolic acid product is misleading as it doesn't account for the pH level, which has a massive effect on actual free acid value. For example, 20% glycolic acid @ pH 3.83 is 10% free acid value but @ pH 4.25 is only 5.5%.
If you'd like to learn more about free acid value, check out LabMuffin and Goals To Get Glowing.
Now, let's move on to the best glycolic acid body washes! 😀
Here are my top recommendations:
Best For:
✅ Keratosis Pilaris
✅ Rough & Bumpy Skin
✅ Red Inflamed Bumps
✅ Uneven Skin Tone
✅ Scaly Plaques
✅ Body Acne
✅ Dry Skin
Key Ingredients:
⭐ Glycolic Acid
Key Features:
🧪 8.8% Free Acid Value
👍 Oil-Free
👍 Rich Lather Cleanse
🏆 Professional Quality
🏆 Excellent Reviews
For many years, I thought I had to live with KP forever.
But then I discovered the power of alpha hydroxy acids like glycolic acid for dissolving blocked keratin plugs (the root cause of KP), smoothing out rough & bumpy skin, and eliminating all those little red (riding hood) bumps.
If you have KP, body blemishes, or body pigmentation, my top recommendation is Glytone Exfoliating Body Wash with 8.8% free acid value and 800+ reviews.
(Glytone calls it Precision Free Acid Value or PFAV)
Remember, free acid value is the true concentration (a.k.a. bioavailability) so you know what you're getting and don't need to worry about the pH level.
At 8.8% free acid value, Glytone will stimulate a significant increase in cell turnover (i.e. exfoliation) to help remove the dead skin cells and keratin plugs that are blocking your hair follicles (i.e. pores).
And the result?
Softer, smoother, and KP-free skin with fewer blemishes and more even skin tone. 🤗
If you're interested, here's a helpful diagram on free acid value and its effects:
Glytone Exfoliating Body Wash is oil-free and works into a rich lather that deeply cleanses and leaves your skin feeling fresh & smooth while reducing blemishes and pigmentation.
For best results, apply Glytone with a loofah to save on product and physically exfoliate the surface of your skin and enhance the penetration of the glycolic acid.
My Verdict: Make KP, body blemishes, and body pigmentation a part of your past using Glytone Exfoliating Body Wash with 8.8% free acid value. For even better results, use together with Glytone Exfoliating Body Lotion with 17.5% free acid value in Glytone 3-Piece KP Kit.
Shop NowBest For:
✅ Keratosis Pilaris
✅ "Chicken Skin"
✅ Rough & Bumpy Skin
✅ Red Inflamed Bumps
✅ Uneven Skin Tone
This Set Contains:
⭐ 6.7 oz Body Wash
⭐ 8.4 oz Body Lotion
⭐ Free Loofah
Key Features:
👍 Save 10% with Bundle
👍 Oil-Free
👍 Fragrance-Free
🏆 Professional Quality
🏆 Excellent Reviews
Do you dream of smoother, softer, and KP-free skin?
With Glytone 3-Piece KP Kit, you can finally say goodbye to chicken skin and red bumps!
This kit includes Glytone Exfoliating Body Wash with 8.8% free acid value to deep cleanse your skin in the shower and increase the penetration of subsequent products.
Follow up with Glytone Exfoliating Body Lotion with a powerful 17.5% free acid value to open up keratin plugs, dramatically resurface skin texture, and stimulate collagen production for clearer & smoother skin.
Remember, the skin on your body is much thicker and requires a higher percentage of glycolic acid, which is why Glytone Exfoliating Body Lotion is extremely effective with its high free acid value content.
The kit includes a free loofah and you'll save ~10% off the cost of buying both products separately.
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My Verdict: Get a double dose of glycolic acid with Glytone 3-Piece KP Kit, a powerful bundle to help you eliminate keratosis pilaris, soften rough & bumpy skin, and brighten skin tone.
Shop NowBest For:
✅ Rough & Bumpy Skin
✅ Sensitive Skin
Key Ingredients:
⭐ Glycolic Acid
⭐ Lactic Acid
⭐ Pumice Buffing Beads
Key Features:
👍 Physical Exfoliation
👍 Chemical Exfoliation
👍 No Harsh Ingredients
🏆 #1 Selling Body Scrub
🏆 Over 8,000 Reviews!
Wish you had a magic eraser for your skin problems?
While it's not a miracle worker, Bump Eraser Body Scrub will definitely get your body feeling smoother, tighter, and more evenly toned.
First Aid Beauty uses a blend of 10% glycolic and lactic acids along with tiny pumice buffing beads to provide dual-action chemical and physical exfoliation.
That means no more "strawberry skin", "chicken skin", or covering up your shoulders at the beach!
With over 8,000+ reviews, Bump Eraser Body Scrub is the #1 bestselling body scrub on Amazon. 🏆
This product is vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free, oil-free, alcohol-free, and safe for sensitive skin.
My Verdict: Let First Aid Beauty help erase your rough skin, red bumps, and body blemishes with 10% glycolic and lactic acids plus pumice buffing beads for maximum exfoliation.
Shop NowBest For:
✅ Budget Shoppers
✅ Cleansing
✅ Moisturizing
Key Ingredients:
⭐ Glycolic Acid
⭐ Vitamin E
⭐ Aloe Vera
Key Features:
🧪 pH = 4.5
🧪 0.22% Free Acid Value
👍 Good Reviews
Looking for an affordable glycolic acid body wash?
Alpha Skin Care Moisturizing Body Wash is one of the cheapest options that I found on Amazon at under $15.
However, you always get what you pay for.
It's 1.28% glycolic acid (listed by the company under Q&A) which at pH 4.5 is only 0.22% free acid value!
If you're looking for a regular shower gel with an extra bit of cleansing and moisturizing effect, then Alpha Skin Care is an excellent choice.
But if you want to treat KP, rough skin, or body blemishes, I recommend a stronger glycolic acid product like Glytone Exfoliating Body Wash at 8.8% free acid value.
Alternatively, if you're looking for the best value for money, I recommend Platinum Skin Care which uses 15% glycolic and lactic acids and is reasonably priced at $28 for 16 oz.
My Verdict: While Alpha Skin Care is a popular and affordable option, it provides glycolic acid in "name only" (0.22% free acid value), limiting its use to a regular shower gel.
Shop NowBest For:
✅ Bulk Buyers
✅ Savvy Shoppers
✅ Exfoliation Enthusiasts
Key Ingredients:
⭐ Glycolic Acid
⭐ Lactic Acid
⭐ Vitamin A, C, E
Key Features:
👍 16 oz Value Size
👍 Free Loofah
🍊 Fruity Fragrance
🏆 Professional Quality
🏆 Extraordinary Reviews
If you want the best deal on the market, I recommend Platinum Skin Care Glycolic & Lactic Body Wash.
Platinum Skin Care is a high-quality skincare brand with almost 20 years of experience that's best known for its #1 selling TCA Peel.
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Glycolic & Lactic Body Wash features a blend of 15% glycolic and lactic acids, vitamins A, C, and E, plus a fruity fragrance of lemon, grapefruit, and tangerine.
Customer reviews have been overwhelmingly positive and it's only $28 for a 16 oz bottle!
(that's almost 3x the size of Glytone for a lower price!)
You can use this luxurious glycolic body wash for all body concerns, including keratosis pilaris, rough skin texture, sagging skin, dry knees and elbows, cracked heels, and more!
My Verdict: Get the best value for money with Platinum Skin Care Glycolic & Lactic Body Wash, featuring 15% glycolic and lactic acids, vitamins, and fruit fragrance, at only $28 for 16 oz.
Shop NowBest For:
✅ Dermatologist Approved
Key Ingredients:
⭐ Glycolic Acid
⭐ Lactic Acid
⭐ Salicylic Acid
⭐ Gluconolactone
⭐ Lactobionic Acid
⭐ Hydrated Silica
Key Features:
👍 16 oz Value Size
🏆 Professional Quality
🏆 Excellent Reviews
Is there a doctor in the house?
Yep, and she (Dr. Audrey Kunin, founder of DERMAdoctor) prescribed KP Duty Body Scrub for your lizard skin. 🤣
This professional quality body scrub combines a dozen active ingredients to deliver powerful results, including:
Let KP Duty Body Scrub buff your (skin) problems away with alpha hydroxy acids (AHA), beta hydroxy acids (BHA), polyhydroxy acids (PHA), and hydrated silica beads.
Meanwhile, evening primrose, black currant, and borage seed oils, high in linoleic acid, help restore skin hydration and soothe sensitivity.
Finally, azelaic acid helps brighten dark spots while green tea extract reduces inflammation.
Overall, a great option to keep your skin feeling smooth & toned (even as you get older).
My Verdict: DERMAdoctor has prescribed KP Duty Body Scrub for your "lizard skin" with a blend of AHAs, BHAs, PHAs, and soothing botanicals to restore healthy & youthful skin.
Shop NowBest For:
✅ Natural Body Wash
Key Ingredients:
⭐ Grapefruit Extract
⭐ Papaya Extract
⭐ Ginseng
⭐ Linden Tree
Key Features:
👍 16 oz Value Size
👍 Botanical Extracts
🏆 1,500+ Reviews
Do you need a glycolic acid alternative?
Whether it's because your skin can't tolerate glycolic acid or you simply like to mix it up, Mario Badescu is a popular and very affordable natural body wash.
A.H.A. Botanical Body Soap combines grapefruit and papaya enzymes, ginseng, and linden tree for an unforgettable shower experience that unclogs pores, reduces oily skin, and stimulates your senses.
With 1,500+ reviews, it's a natural bestseller as well!
Excellent for KP, chest or back acne, and dull skin.
My Verdict: Create an unforgettable spa experience with A.H.A. Botanical Body Soap featuring grapefruit and papaya enzymes, ginseng, and linden tree, to cleanse your body and mind.
Shop Now
