Drugstore Glycolic Acid Finds All Under $25

Best Drugstore Glycolic Acid Products

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Glycolic acid isn’t something you want to use willy-nilly. This fast-absorbing, fast-acting, pore-reducing, and skin-brightening alpha-hydroxy acid requires a certain level of caution. It comes in serums, toners, pads, and creams with concentrations anywhere between 1% and 10%. When things start to sound cosmeceutical rather than simply cosmetical, it becomes difficult to find drugstore glycolic acid products that are both effective and affordable.

Some of them will definitely let you down. But there are great drugstore glycolic acid products that work just as well as the more expensive options you can buy from Sephora.

Glycolic acid is the golden child of exfoliants. It’s an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that exfoliates the top layer of the skin by loosening the bond between the dead skin cells.

By removing the top layer of the skin, it increases luminosity, radiance, and clarity. It’s also a great anti-aging ingredient that increases cell turnover.

You can use glycolic acid to tackle several skin issues. It can reduce acne, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. But if you’re a beginner, there are things you need to keep in mind.

Glycolic acid increases sun sensitivity. So, be careful around the sun and remember to use SPF daily. Don’t mix glycolic acid with other products in your routine if they also contain acids or retinoids.

Also, whichever glycolic product you use, start using it 2 times a week at first. It can cause sensitivity. So it’s important to go slow and build up a tolerance.

From toners to cleansers, below are the best drugstore glycolic acid products you can rely on.

Best Toner: The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution - Best Drugstore Glycolic Acid Products

This glycolic acid toner has made glycolic acid available for anyone and it does deliver results! The deep penetrating formula removes dead skin and eliminates flakiness. It refines the skin texture and gives you a smoother and definitely more radiant complexion.

As glycolic acid can be irritating, the toner also contains aloe and botanicals to soothe the skin. Use cotton wipes to smear the toner all over and let glycolic acid do its thing.

Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, aloe water
Size: 8 oz/240 ml
Good To Know: Oil-free, fragrance-free, vegan, cruelty-free

Best Peel Pads: E.l.f. SuperGlow AHA Peel Pads

E.l.f. SuperGlow AHA Peel Pads - Best Drugstore Glycolic Acid Peel Products

If you prefer your glycolic acid pre-soaked in cotton pads, these are the ones to wipe your face with. The peel pads are super gentle on the skin because they’re made with naturally derived alpha hydroxy acids.

And they contain anti-inflammatory witch hazel as well as energizing citrus fruit extracts. They’ll help revive dull skin and increase skin clarity. Plus, you get 45 pads for $10!

Key Ingredients: Sugar cane extract, witch hazel extract
Size: 45 pads
Good To Know: Cruelty-free, vegan

Best Mask: Versed Doctor’s Visit Instant Resurfacing Mask

Versed Doctor’s Visit Instant Resurfacing Mask - Best Drugstore Glycolic Acid Mask

Exfoliating masks come in handy when you’re new to hydroxy acids. And this mask is a great way to introduce AHAs to your skin to build tolerance. It’s formulated with two AHAs; glycolic and lactic. And it has salicylic acid from the beta-hydroxy acids family as well, which helps with acne and inflammation.

In addition, papaya and pineapple enzymes enhance the resurfacing action as they are natural exfoliants. The formula helps with hyperpigmentation, enlarged pores dullness, and blackheads. Use the glycolic acid mask as part of your weekly at-home beauty treatment.

Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, lactic acid
Size: 1.7 oz/50 ml
Good To Know: Cruelty-free

Best Cleanser: L’Oreal Revitalift Derm Intensives 3.5% Glycolic Acid Cleansing Gel

L’Oreal Revitalift Derm Intensive 3.5% Glycolic Acid Cleansing Gel - Best Drugstore Glycolic Acid Products

A glycolic acid cleanser is a great way to stop congestion in its tracks. You exfoliate daily without giving your pores a chance to get clogged. This cleanser washes away the day’s dirt, makeup, as well as skin flakes to leave the complexion clean and clear. It helps with stubborn scars and textured skin.

But it’s extra helpful if your skin is prone to milia, tiny bumps of trapped dead skin cells. Keep in mind that you need to start slowly when you’re a newbie. A cleanser is to be used twice daily. Using an exfoliating cleanser twice a day may be too much if you’re a beginner.

Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid
Size: 6.7 oz/200 ml
Good To Know: Fragrance-free

Best Serum: Pixi Overnight Glow Serum

Pixi Overnight Glow Serum - Best Drugstore Glycolic Acid Products

This one is a potent glycolic acid serum that has a concentration of 10%! It’s anti-aging, anti-acne, and anti-pigmentation. It’s an overall hardworking serum to smooth out the skin, reduce the look of wrinkles and pores, and even out the skin tone. While glycolic acid exfoliates, retinyl palmitate, which is a retinol ester, stimulates skin turnover.

The combination of vitamin C and vitamin E gives the skin a daily dose of antioxidants against free radicals. And to reduce potential sensitivity, the glycolic acid serum contains soothing aloe and cucumber. This one is a great option to target multiple skincare concerns.

Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, vitamin A
Size: 1 oz/30 ml
Good To Know: Cruelty-free

Best Deal: Bliss AM/PM Serum Duo

Bliss AMPM Serum Duo - Best Drugstore Glycolic Acid Serum

Each of these serums is a super effective product on its own and is worth $25. But the mini kit is a great way to try out glycolic acid in serum form. The set contains the two essentials that will dominate both your AM and PM routine. The daily serum contains vitamin B3 (niacinamide) as well as hyaluronic acid to boost hydration and radiance. It also has soothing aloe and nourishing vitamin E.

The glycolic acid night serum contains gluconolactone, which is a polyhydroxy acid that gently exfoliates but also hydrates. The added fruit acids work as natural exfoliants to amplify the effects. The duo pairs very well. They nourish in the morning and renew in the evening. Plus, it’s super affordable!

Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, niacinamide
Size: 0.27 oz/8 ml
Good To Know: Cruelty-free

Best For Body: Alpha Skin Care Revitalizing Body Lotion

Alpha Skin Care Revitalizing Body Lotion - Best Drugstore Glycolic Acid Body Lotion

A glycolic acid body lotion is life-saving when you have dry skin and skin flakes all over. It also helps with keratosis pilaris, which are tiny bumps that usually appear on the arms and thighs.

They’re usually the result of dead skin cells building up and clogging your hair follicles. The lotion removes the outermost layer of the skin with every use. As a result, it gives your body a smoother skin texture free of flakiness and rough patches.

Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid
Size: 12 oz/340 gr
Good To Know: Fragrance-free

Best Cream: A’Pieu Glycolic Acid Cream

A’Pieu Glycolic Acid Cream - Best Drugstore Glycolic Acid Cream

Last but not least, this is a Korean glycolic acid cream you can use daily as an exfoliating moisturizer. It’s made with 3% glycolic acid and 0.5% salicylic acid to peel off the dead skin layer and unclog pores.

The AHA&BHA combination is perfect for keeping oiliness in check while reducing acne and congestion. The cream also contains niacinamide and panthenol (vitamin B5) to calm the skin and support the skin barrier.

Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, salicylic acid
Size: 50 ml

So these are the best drugstore glycolic acid products that are budget-friendly and effective. Glycolic is an incredibly useful, multi-beneficial ingredient. But if you have sensitive skin and can’t make it work for your skin, don’t worry. You can try a gentler alpha-hydroxy acid, namely lactic acid. Start with these drugstore lactic acid products.

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