Glycolic Acid (AHA)
The smallest alpha-hydroxy acid, which penetrates readily to loosen dead surface cells — improving tone, texture, and fine lines with the most robust evidence of the AHAs. Effective but photosensitizing, so it pairs non-negotiably with daytime SPF.
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Glycolic Acid by the numbers.
The DermFND database tracks 132 products formulated with glycolic acid, most often in exfoliants (47 products) but also across cleansers and treatments. Those products average a 72/100 formulation score — above the catalog norm — topping out with Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel at 87/100.
24 formulas containing glycolic acid clear our 80/100 standout threshold. Its most frequent formulation partners are Salicylic Acid (50 shared formulas) and Lactic Acid (37 shared formulas). The median price of a glycolic acid product here is $36.
