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!
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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
Glycolix Elite Glycolic Acid 20% Resurfacing Peel, 60 Count
Treat acne, fine lines, and scars with this popular peel from Replenix featuring 20% glycolic acid, vitamins, and botanicals.
QRxLabs Glycolic Acid 20% Resurfacing Pads, 50 Count
See why thousands choose QRxLabs as their preferred peel to smooth fine lines and wrinkles while improving tone and texture.
Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Extra Strength Daily Peel (30 Count)
Experience the #1 bestselling at-home chemical peel from Dr. Dennis Gross featuring 7 acids for exceptional exfoliation.
L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Bright Reveal Brightening Peel Pads, 30 Count
These affordable glycolic pads from L'Oreal Paris are gentle enough for daily use but the ingredient list leaves much to be desired.
CANE+AUSTIN 20% Miracle Pad, 60 Count
Skip the derm appointment with a professional at-home peel from CANE+AUSTIN that delivers similar results to a 20% glycolic peel.
Nip+Fab Glycolic Fix Night Pads Extreme, 100 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.
Bliss That's Incredi-Peel, 15 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.
Perfect Image Glycolic 50% Gel Peel, 1.0 oz
Rejuvenate your skin with a powerful 50% glycolic peel from Perfect Image to target deep discoloration and stubborn wrinkles.
Peter Thomas Roth Max Complexion Correction Pads, 60 Count
Send your skin to "happy hour" with these bestselling peel pads from PTR featuring 10% AHAs, 2% BHA, and a fresh bellini scent.
Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Peel Pads, 60 Count
Say goodbye to age spots with a 2-in-1 peel that combines glycolic acid and retinol for double the anti-aging benefits.
Exuviance Performance Peel AP25, 13 Count
Get professional results using the award-winning Performance Peel AP25 to treat melasma and pigmentation with a 25% blend of glycolic, mandelic, and gluconolactone.
IT Cosmetics Hello Results Baby-Smooth Glycolic Peel + Caring Oil, 1.0 oz
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.
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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:
- Lactic Acid: this gentle and hydrating alpha hydroxy acid is amazing for dry skin
- Salicylic Acid: this beta hydroxy acid (BHA) is particularly effective for clearing acne
- Trichloroacetic Acid: if you need a stronger chemical peel, TCA penetrates deeper than glycolic acid to correct rough skin texture, wrinkles, fine lines, and acne scars
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.