7 Best Glycolic Acid Cleansers To Renew Your Skin (2023 ✅)

Need a glycolic acid face wash that does it all?

Glytone Mild Gel Cleanser has all your skin conditions covered with a powerful 4.7% free acid value.

(Glytone calls it Precision Free Acid Value or PFAV)

As I explained earlier, only the free acid forms can actually penetrate your skin's oily barrier, making FAV a better measure of the true concentration of glycolic acid.

For context, you'd need ~17% glycolic acid at pH 4.25 to achieve a 4.7% free acid value.

(I assumed pH = 4.25 as Glytone did not disclose the pH. At pH 4, you would need ~12% glycolic acid.)

So when you're comparing two glycolic acid face washes, keep in mind that Glytone is about 12-17% glycolic acid (when you include both free acid and ionized forms).

If you're looking for the strongest glycolic acid cleanser, this is it!

Platinum Skin Care Revitalizing Glycolic Cleanser 10 uses a full 10% free acid value, the highest of any face wash.

Fortunately, the pH has been buffered (raised) to 4.5 to increase the safety profile, which means powerful exfoliation without excessive skin irritation.

(the natural pH of glycolic acid is around 3.83)

At 10% free acid value, you can expect to achieve a significant increase in cell turnover (i.e. exfoliation) which will dramatically improve anti-aging concerns like wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots.

In addition, this face wash will slowly fade sun damage, brighten dark spots, and minimize enlarged pores.

For best results, use Revitalizing Glycolic Cleanser 10 together with a chemical peel, like Platinum Skin Care's #1 bestselling TCA peel.

For the ultimate spa experience, start off with a luxurious face wash with plant extracts and essential oils like Botanic Tree Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Cleanser.

With over 12,000+ reviews, Botanic Tree is currently the most popular glycolic acid cleanser with an impressive ratio of 80% 5-star ratings!

Botanic Tree uses 10% glycolic acid, but it's not all in free acid form, so we'll need to do a manual calculation.

Unfortunately, the pH is not provided either but at pH 4 it would be about 4% free acid value.

(10% glycolic acid @ pH 4 = 4% free acid value)

Next, we have a whole garden of botanical extracts including bamboo, green tea, seaweed, and willow bark (a natural source of salicylic acid) that revitalizes dull skin, soothes sensitivity, and reduces redness.

Meanwhile, essential oils like tea tree oil, peppermint oil, and lavender oil, help fight acne and clogged pores while indulging your senses.

If you're looking for the best deal on the market, consider Jack Black Deep Dive Glycolic Facial Cleanser.

At current prices, this 10 oz value size face wash works out to ~$3 per oz and will last you many, many months.

In fact, Jack Black is a 2-in-1 cleanser and mask combo with glycolic acid, kaolin clay, and volcanic ash, perfect for drawing out impurities and opening clogged pores.

Aside from that, there's a ton of botanical extracts in the ingredient list as well, including wolfsbane flower, rosemary, olive, green tea, chamomile, and calendula.

Meanwhile, vitamin C and E are both present for additional antioxidant protection.

With 1,500+ reviews, Jack Black has received overwhelmingly positive feedback with 80% 5-stars (very, very few products achieve this feat 🏆).

Are you constantly worrying about your acne?

I know how it feels - I've had cystic acne since I was a teen and it took me many years to finally achieve clear skin.

Fortunately, salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid (BHA), is one of the most effective treatments for pimples.

Salicylic acid is lipophilic (i.e. oil-soluble) which allows it to penetrate oily skin and remove trapped dead skin cells, keratin, and excess sebum inside your hair follicles.

The result: clearer and smoother skin with fewer breakouts and blemishes over time.

For an effective duo of glycolic acid and salicylic acid, Replenix Gly-Sal 10-2 is a professional and affordable face wash for under $20.

Complete your anti-aging skincare routine with the bestselling Peter Thomas Roth Anti-Aging Cleansing Gel.

With over 1,300+ reviews, this luxurious gel effectively cleanses your skin surface and leaves you feeling refreshed and energized with botanical extracts of peach, lemon, lime, linden tree, and grapefruit.

(it has an amazing smell as well! 😀)

Glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and citric acid all work to reduce the visibility of wrinkles and fine lines, revitalize your skin tone, and shrink enlarged pores.

Finally, arginine (an amino acid) helps your body rebuild collagen protein structures while natural white oak bark brightens your skin's appearance.

If you're struggling to find skincare products that won't trigger your skin sensitivities, allow me to introduce you to Mario Badescu.

This prestige beauty brand has consistently produced some of the highest rated skincare products, including its No.1 Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs, and Rosewater.

Mario Badescu is known for its botanical formulas and has a philosophy of "simple, gentle, and effective".

In this case, Glycolic Foaming Cleanser is a prime example, with glycolic acid working alongside botanicals like:

• Sage Leaf & Marsh-Mallow: conditions and smooths
• St. John's Wort & Chamomile: soothes sensitivity
• Yarrow: promotes healthy, youthful skin

With 4,000+ reviews (and a very high % of 5-star ratings), many satisfied customers claimed to have found the perfect cleanser for their sensitive skin!