Best glycolic acid skincare products: Top serums, creams and treatments to shop

This treatment from Sunday Riley has a cult following and for good reason. If you ever see the product featured in “empties” videos, it’s almost always followed by a direct replacement for its ability to smooth, brighten and clarify the complexion. It’s a potent treatment that is made up of tiny molecules of the star, named ingredient glycolic acid. This allows it to penetrate deep into the skin, dissolving dirt and grime that can clog pores to prevent congestion, while also serving up anti-ageing benefits with its ability to minimise the look of fine lines.

This component is set alongside lactic acid for further buffing as well as prickly pear extract that makes the formula more tolerable for those with sensitivities. Lemongrass extract is also used for its brightening benefits.

The list is extensive but just a few things you’ll notice with continual use is; reduced hyperpigmentation, a boost in circulation, healing of scar tissue, radiance and a more youthful complexion. Win-win-win-win.

Kiehl’s has recently launched a trio of active ingredient-based serums. One is centred around hyaluronic acid for plumping and hydration, one spotlights balancing niacinamide and the last, but certainly not least, is all about glycolic acid with a dose of 9.8 per cent and only six other components by its side.

Apply this in the evening with only four or so drop necessary and follow with moisturiser. This doesn’t need to be everyday, just when you need a little refining of your complexion. Make sure you follow the next morning with SPF. The glycolic acts as an exfoliant but thanks to the inclusion of hyaluronic acid and glycerin, it’s hydrating too and means it can be tolerated by all skin types, even sensitive. The product preps the skin for what follows to boost radiance and even out texture.

If you’re just dipping your toe into glycolic acid, this is a gentle way to incorporate it into your skincare routine. Simply layer onto cleansed skin at night and pat it in for full absorption. When you wake, the glowy effects are immediate.

Radiance in a jar, the combination of AHAs that include glycolic acid as well as lactic removes dullness-causing dead skin cells and infuses your complexion with seven weights of hydrating hyaluronic acid to reach deeper than the surface level of the skin. It also gets to work combatting pigmentation and discoloration with niacinamide and a quinoa peptide, the latter of which is firming. The pale pink packaging is hard to resist, elevating your shelfie game.

SkinCeuticals is known for its science-backed efficacious formulations with a powerful punch and this cream follows suit. Much like the glycolic treatments that you’ll find on the market, it is designed to work overnight for a clear complexion when your morning alarm rings out.

It contains a 10 per cent hit of the main ingredient to even out tone and texture, boost brightening and thanks to the inclusion of calming botanicals, you shouldn’t find it irritating. Start slow with one application a week and build up your tolerance if it stings on first application.

Legendary skincare label Drunk Elephant has been leading the pack, launching clean product with no nasties in sight before it became the trend that it is today. The T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum has been a stalwart in its collection for a while and remains ever popular with its loyal fan base as a decongesting, resurfacing nightly gel serum that sloughs off dead skin cells that may be interfering with the smooth, glowy complexion that you deserve. There’s also BHA in the formula too, which is where the clarifying and pore de-clogging come in - all without stripping the skin or leaving a dryness or flaking in its wake.

If the name itself isn’t enough to win you over, then the powerful chemical exfoliation that Liquid Gold gives just might. The formula has 5 per cent glycolic that is designed to accelerate the skin’s renewal process and thus improve the appearance of pigmention and dullness as well as signs of ageing like fine lines.

When you live in the city, you might find that the build up of pollution is wreaking havoc on your complexion, so that’s when you’ll want Alpha-H on your side to fortify the protective barrier, eliminating that build-up to smooth out skin.

The Ordinary’s MO is simple, effective and affordable skincare products and this solution is the embodiment of why the label is so beloved. It provides an effective buffing solution using a 7 per cent solution of the star AHA for a more mild buffing process than the harsh physical exfoliants on the market.

This means you are getting all the benefits of increased radiance without the after effects of irritation or redness - especially due to the inclusion of a Tasmanian pepperberry derivative, ginseng root and aloe vera that are soothing. Silky smooth skin is just a swipe away.

If you’ve tried professional chemical peels in the past and you’ve had an adverse reaction, this is a more gentle alternative that still has many of the same effects that appear while you slumber. There’s 10 per cent glycolic with its ability to counter uneven texture and dullness - but word of warning, it’s not a daily use kind of product.

Use once a week at first, before building up as your skin gets more tolerant. You’ll find your skin is so soft in the morning.

Combat congestion and even out texture with the ease of these pads that mean you need not worry about the right amount of product to apply or taking cotton wool with you on your next trip.

Use just one a day for your exfoliating needs and the brand suggests that you will boost your skin’s own cell turnover rate in only three days. They are simultaneously potent yet not too harsh and leave fresh skin behind without drying out the complexion.