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What Is Glycolic Acid?
Glycolic acid is the most popular type of chemical peel on the market today. It's the smallest type of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) and is considered a light or superficial peel.
It works by helping remove the dead skin cells and excess oils on your skin surface and increasing cell turnover to promote clearer, smoother, and younger-looking skin.
How A Glycolic Acid Peel Benefits Your Skin
With regular use, a glycolic peel can help smooth skin texture, clear up acne-prone skin and acne scars, fade dark spots & melasma, and stimulate collagen production to reduce wrinkles & fine lines (source: A Practical Approach to Chemical Peels, 2018).
It's one of the most cost-effective skincare treatments that you can safely do at home, when compared to microneedling ($100-$300 a session), laser therapy ($1,000+ a session), and microdermabrasion ($100-$200 a session), to name a few examples.
Now, let's find the best glycolic acid peel for your skin condition and budget!
RELATED:
What Is The Best Glycolic Acid Peel?
Here are our top picks:
- Editor's Choice: Glycolix Elite Glycolic Acid 20% Resurfacing Peel
- Amazon Bestseller: QRxLabs Glycolic Acid 20% Resurfacing Pads
- All-Time Bestseller: Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Extra Strength Daily Peel
- Best Budget Pick: L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Bright Reveal Brightening Peel Pads
- Best Premium Pick: CANE+AUSTIN 20% Miracle Pad
- Best Value for Money: Nip+Fab Glycolic Fix Night Pads Extreme
- Best for Beginners: Bliss That's Incredi-Peel
- Best for DIYers: Perfect Image Glycolic 50% Gel Peel
- Best for Acne: Peter Thomas Roth Max Complexion Correction Pads
- Best for Aging: Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Peel Pads
- Best for Hyperpigmentation: Exuviance Performance Peel AP25
- Best for Sensitive Skin: IT Cosmetics Hello Results Baby-Smooth Glycolic Peel + Caring Oil
Editor's Choice
5.0
Treat acne, fine lines, and scars with this popular peel from Replenix featuring 20% glycolic acid, vitamins, and botanicals.
Best For:
Acne, Anti-Aging, Scars
Ingredients:
Crystalline Glycolic Acid, Witch Hazel, Green Tea, Algae Extract, Ginger Extract, Vitamin E, Vitamin A, Co-Q10, Menthol
Pros:
- Unbuffered 20% Glycolic Acid (a.k.a. True Free Acid Value)
- Exfoliates Dead Skin Cells
- Treats Acne and Purifies Pores
- Visibly Fades Dark Spots
- Visibly Reduces Signs of Aging
- Helps Improve Acne Scars
- No Downtime or Irritation
- Great Reviews (2K+)
Cons:
- Extremely Thin Pads
- Not Suitable for Beginners (Start with the 10% Version Instead)
- Not Suitable for Sensitive Skin
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No.1 Amazon Bestseller
4.0
$49.99
$24.95 ($0.50 / Count)
See why thousands choose QRxLabs as their preferred peel to smooth fine lines and wrinkles while improving tone and texture.
Best For:
Anti-Aging, Sun Damage
Ingredients:
Glycolic Acid, Witch Hazel, Glycerin, Panthenol, Calendula, Green Tea, Allantoin, Menthol, Eucalyptus Oil, Spearmint Oil, Vitamin E, Vitamin C
Pros:
- No.1 Bestseller on Amazon
- Exfoliates and Moisturizes
- Fades Dark Spots & Sun Spots
- Smoothes Fine Lines & Wrinkles
- Stimulates Collagen Production
- Improves Skin Tone and Texture
- Durable Pads with Finger Notch
- Good Reviews (17K+)
Cons:
- Not Actually 20% Glycolic Acid Because pH is Buffered (Raised)
- Some Experienced Breakouts
- Some Said It Felt Sticky
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Best Budget Pick
3.5
$19.99
$17.02 ($0.57 / Count)
These affordable glycolic pads from L'Oreal Paris are gentle enough for daily use but the ingredient list leaves much to be desired.
Best For:
Daily Exfoliation
Ingredients:
Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Vitamin C
Pros:
- Gentle Overnight Peel
- Suitable for Daily Use
- Softens Appearance of Wrinkles
- Rejuvenates Dull Uneven Tone
- Leaves Skin Clean & Smooth
- Improves Absorption of Additional Serums and Creams
- Good Reviews (2K+)
Cons:
- pH Level is Not Disclosed
- Contains Alcohol
- Contains Fragrances
- Unaspiring Ingredient List
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Best Premium Pick
4.5
Skip the derm appointment with a professional at-home peel from CANE+AUSTIN that delivers similar results to a 20% glycolic peel.
Best For:
Anti-Aging, Dark Spots
Ingredients:
Glycolic Acid, Witch Hazel, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, CoQ-10, Menthol
Pros:
- Professional Quality
- No-Rinse Peel Pads
- Helps Fade Hyperpigmentation & Melasma
- Visibly Smoothes Fine Lines
- Available in 10% and 30%
- Outstanding Reviews (100+)
Cons:
- Glycolic Acid % is Not Disclosed (Company Only Says It's Equivalent of 20% Glycolic Acid)
- Very Expensive
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Best Value for Money
4.5
$27.95
$24.34 ($0.24 / Count)
Love to exfoliate? Then you'll love these fab pads from Nip&Fab with 5% glycolic acid and great reviews at an amazing price.
Best For:
Acne, Dullness
Ingredients:
Glycolic Acid, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Panthenol, Hyaluronic Acid, Mandelic Acid
Pros:
- Suitable for Sensitive Skin
- Clear Blemishes & Breakouts
- Great for Cleansing & Exfoliation
- Fights Early Signs of Aging
- Brightens and Improves Skin Tone
- Outstanding Value
- Good Reviews (13K+)
Cons:
- Not Available in Some Countries
- Contains Fragrances
- Only 5% Glycolic Acid (Actual % is Even Lower as pH is Buffered)
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Best for Beginners
4.5
$18.70
$17.60 ($1.17 / Count)
If you're new to chemical peels, start with a gentle peel like this one from Bliss with 10% glycolic acid and soothing plant extracts.
Best For:
Beginners, Sensitive Skin
Ingredients:
Glycolic Acid, Witch Hazel, Glycerin, Vitamin E, Licorice Root, Calendula
Pros:
- Ultra Gentle Overnight Peel
- Perfect for Beginners
- Easy 1-Step Process
- Targets Dullness & Discoloration
- Improves Both Texture & Tone
- Fragrance-Free
- Great Reviews (2.5K+)
Cons:
- pH is Buffered (Raised) to Improve Safety But This Reduces Efficacy
- Didn't Work for Everyone
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Best for Acne
5.0
Send your skin to "happy hour" with these bestselling peel pads from PTR featuring 10% AHAs, 2% BHA, and a fresh bellini scent.
Best For:
Acne, Fine Lines, Large Pores, Uneven Skin Tone
Ingredients:
10% Glycolic Acid, 2% Salicylic Acid, Witch Hazel, Aloe, Arginine, Chamomile, Peach Fruit, Green Tea, Comfrey, Allantoin
Pros:
- Clears Blackheads & Breakouts
- Reduces Fine Lines & Large Pores
- Helps Improve Uneven Skin Tone
- Balancing Botanical Blend with Fresh Peach Bellini Scent
- Double-Sided Peel Pads (With Cleansing & Exfoliating Sides)
- Perfect for Normal, Combination, and Oily Skin
- Phenomenal Reviews (1K+)
Cons:
- Expensive
- Contains Alcohol
- Contains Fragrance
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Best for Age Spots
4.5
Say goodbye to age spots with a 2-in-1 peel that combines glycolic acid and retinol for double the anti-aging benefits.
Best For:
Anti-Aging, Age Spots
Ingredients:
20% Glycolic Acid Complex, 1.5% Retinol, Hyaluronic Acid, Allantoin, Niacinamide, Adenosine
Pros:
- Combines 2 Anti-Aging Super Ingredients In One Peel
- 1-Step No-Rinse Peel
- Gentle Time-Released Microencapsulated Retinol
- Visibly Resurfaces Dullness
- Visibly Fades Age Spots
- Outstanding Reviews
Cons:
- A Bit Expensive
- Contains Alcohol
- Limited Reviews
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Best for Sensitive Skin
4.5
Wake up to baby smooth skin with this overnight peel from IT Cosmetics, a hidden gem that gently exfoliates with glycolic acid while nourishing skin with argan and meadowfoam seed oils.
Best For:
Dark Spots, Sun Spots, Sun Damage, Sensitive Skin
Ingredients:
Glycolic Acid, Argan Oil, Meadowfoam Seed Oil
Pros:
- Gentle Overnight Leave-On Peel
- Soothes Sun Damaged and Sensitive Skin
- Reduces Pigmentation Over Time
- Smoothes Wrinkles & Fine Lines
- Hydrates & Exfoliates Skin
- Wake Up to Softer, More Radiant Skin
- Phenomenal Reviews
Cons:
- Low Concentration of AHAs
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3 Alternatives to Glycolic Acid
Didn't find what you're looking for? Here are some popular alternatives to glycolic acid:
Not sure which chemical peel is right for you? Take our 3-step quiz to find the perfect one - it will take into consideration your skin type, skin concerns, and level of experience.
Have you used an awesome glycolic peel that we missed? Let us know in the comments!
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