The 7 Best Glycolic Acid Serums for Silky Smooth Skin (2023 ✅)

Many years ago, I discovered La Roche-Posay after falling in love with Cicaplast Balm B5 Recovery Cream.

(I literally achieved glass skin using this face cream 😀)

Now, it's one of my top picks for professional formulas at affordable prices (seriously, La Roche-Posay costs no more than your average drugstore brand!).

For an effective glycolic acid serum, look no further than Glycolic B5 Serum, a bestselling dark spot corrector with 10% glycolic acid, transexamic acid, and kojic acid.

Glycolic acid removes dead skin cells, smooths fine lines and wrinkles, and corrects uneven tone, while kojic acid is a natural brightening agent that helps fade dark spots.

Transexamic acid (TXA) is a more recent innovation in skincare that targets skin discoloration by removing excess plasmin and plasminogen, which in turn dials down melanin production. (source: Paula's Choice)

Did you know that early signs of aging like sun spots and fine lines can appear as early as your 20s? 😨

That's why you should start your anti-aging routine today, including a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF30+ like Josie Maran to prevent further sun damage.

(the Sun's ultraviolet rays cause free radical damage to your skin cells, which contributes to premature aging)

Glytone Exfoliating Serum 5.5 is an excellent option to build a beginner anti-aging routine around.

This glycolic acid serum features 5.5 PFAV glycolic acid, which stands for Precision Free Acid Value.

Free acid value is essentially a more accurate way to measure the true concentration of glycolic acid.

For example, a 5.5% free acid value translates to around 14% glycolic acid at pH 4 (using LabMuffin's calculator).

Have you been searching for the "holy grail" of skincare: a natural & healthy glow?

Farmacy Beauty Honeymoon Glow is designed to make your dream come true with clean ingredients that help peel away dead skin cells and brighten your complexion.

A 10% AHA blend of lactic, glycolic, citric, and fruit acids, resurfaces dull skin and fades hyperpigmentation while 1% BHA, natural salicylic acid from willow bark, clarifies your complexion and shrinks pores.

3% flower acids from hibiscus flower extract provides gentle exfoliation while hyaluronic acid and a proprietary honey blend intensely hydrates to prevent moisture loss, leaving your skin looking plump and smooth. 🤗

With 1,000+ reviews, Honeymoon Glow is a natural bestseller that proves you can have clean formulas that are effective and environmentally responsible.

For a professional spa-quality treatment, I trust the experts at Platinum Skin Care for high-quality formulas at reasonable prices.

Based in Michigan, Platinum Skin Care has been in business for over 20 years and is best known for their chemical peels, including their #1 selling TCA peel.

The brand has an extensive anti-aging collection as well, including Serum 15 and 30, featuring an AHA blend of glycolic, mandelic, and phytic acids, plus hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and panthenol (vitamin B5).

It's a potent glycolic acid serum for smoothing texture, including fine lines and wrinkles, and reducing signs of hyperpigmentation like dark spots and sun damage.

Hyaluronic acid draws moisture into your epidermis from the deeper layers of the skin for a plump and hydrated appearance while vitamin C inhibits melanin synthesis to break up patches of discoloration.

From the makers of the #1 bestselling Meladerm, comes a powerful and complimentary glycolic acid serum.

AHA Exfoliating Serum is part of a full skincare routine inspired by the massive success of Meladerm for treating hyperpigmentation, dark spots, melasma, and age spots.

(for more info, check out Advanced Brightening Kit which includes 2 full-size bottles of Meladerm)

Glycolic, lactic, and capryloyl salicylic acid (a derivative of salicylic acid known as a lipohydroxy acid or LHA) clear out dead skin cells, stimulate cell renewal, and increase your skin's absorption of subsequent products.

Meanwhile, hyaluronic acid and panthenol (vitamin B5) soothe sensitive skin and boost moisture levels for smoother, softer skin texture.

Finally, niacinamide (vitamin B3) helps even out skin tone by blocking melanosome transfer from melanocytes while rich argan oil and vitamin E nourish dry skin.

If you're looking for a budget-friendly glycolic acid serum, QRxLabs is my top recommendation.

Best known for its Glycolic Acid 20% Resurfacing Pads, QRxLabs combines botanical extracts with effective formulas at very competitive prices.

Glycolic Acid / AHA 15% Renewal Serum features a blend of 15% AHAs (glycolic, lactic, citric, malic, and tartaric) from natural sources like bilberry, sugar cane, orange, lemon, and sugar maple.

It's an excellent combination to help revitalize dull skin, smooth signs of aging, and even out your skin tone.

Meanwhile, the 3 C's of centella asiatica, chamomile, and calendula promote wound healing, reduce inflammation, and soothe sensitive skin while hyaluronic acid increases moisture retention for smoother looking skin.

Featuring a powerful formulation of 14% glycolic acid, Alpha Skin Care Intensive Renewal Serum has the highest percentage among the brand's glycolic acid products.

Alpha Skin Care provided the pH as well which allows us to calculate the corresponding free acid value.

14% glycolic acid @ pH 3.7 is ~8% free acid value.

(as a reminder, free acid value is a better measure of the true concentration of glycolic acid)

At 8% free acid value, Alpha Skin Care will definitely produce significant results for wrinkles and fine lines, thanks to increased cell turnover and collagen production.

As this is a high percentage of glycolic acid, you may feel some stinging or tingling upon application.

You'll be more sensitive to sunlight as well so apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen like Josie Maran during the day.