The 12 Best Glycolic Acid Cleansers That Will Make Your Skin Glow

Best Overall

SkinCeuticals Purifying Cleanser

$39 at Dermstore $39 at Skinceuticals.com $39 at Skinstore.com

Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, glycerin | Skin Type: Oily, acne-prone | Benefits: Exfoliates, cleanses, hydrates | Size: 6.8 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

This lightweight gel is extra-refreshing and Byrdie editors swear by it. The glycolic acid in the formula helps gently exfoliate, while glycerin in the mix delivers intense hydration, leaving your skin perfectly balanced. We love the lightly foaming lather that helps remove dirt and oil without stripping your skin. It will work on all skin types but it's especially great for oily and acne-prone skin. The runny consistency takes a bit of getting used to, but we think the payoff is worth it.

Best Drugstore

L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Glycolic Acid Cleansing Gel

$10 at Amazon $13 at Walmart View on Instacart.com

Key Ingredients: Glycolic and salicylic acids | Skin Type: Oily, acne-prone | Benefits: Exfoliates, cleanses | Size: 6.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

It can be tricky finding a glycolic acid cleanser at the drugstore, making this steal of a deal even more noteworthy. The formula, which comes in a well-sized squeeze tube, combines glycolic acid with salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid that's great at dissolving the oil, dirt, and debris that clogs pores. Aloe extract ensures it’s never too drying (however, using it too often may make your skin feel a bit tight). We love that it's also fragrance-free and allergy-tested—which our sensitive-skinned friends will appreciate.

Best Splurge

SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser

$48 at Amazon $48 at Dermstore $48 at Skinstore.com

Key Ingredients: Glycolic, lactic, citric, malic acids | Skin Type: Oily, acne-prone | Benefits: Exfoliates, cleanses, hydrates | Size: 6 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Glycolic acid is just one of four alpha hydroxy acids at work in this face wash; there are also citric acid, malic acid, and lactic acid in the mix (all gentle enough to be used collectively). That means it does a stellar job of exfoliating, dissolving dead skin cells, and leaving skin feeling super smooth. As if that weren’t enough, jojoba beads offer some extra (gentle) physical exfoliation, while salicylic acid in the formula helps combat excess oil. It is on the pricier side, but considering all the exfoliating power, we think it's worth a try.

Best Foaming

Mario Badescu Glycolic Foaming Cleanser

$15 at Amazon $16 at Sephora $16 at Ulta

Active Ingredients: Glycolic acid, sage and marshmallow extract, aloe vera | Skin Type: Oily, acne-prone | Benefits: Exfoliates, cleanses, hydrates | Size: 6 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Affordable and effective, this gel formula foams up beautifully. The namesake ingredients help retexturize and smooth the skin. It also boasts a litany of plant-based actives such as marshmallow extract, chamomile, and sage, so it can help balance and smooth the skin while also fighting inflammation. We love how accessible this product is, but it does have a fragrance, so if you're sensitive to that, this one might not be for you.

Best Cream

Glytone Mild Cream Cleanser

$36 at Amazon $34 at Walmart

Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, glycerin | Skin Type: Sensitive | Benefits: Exfoliates, cleanses, hydrates | Size: 6.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Pretty much all of this brand's products are focused around glycolic acid, so we knew we had to consider it for this list (and we weren't disappointed). We like this pick for its creamy texture and that it relies on a fairly mild concentration, 3.4% of glycolic acid, making it great for dry and sensitive skin types alike. In related news, it’s also sulfate- and fragrance-free.

Best for Oily Skin

Boscia Detoxifying Black Charcoal Cleanser

$26 at Amazon $49 at Walmart View on Shopbop.com

Active Ingredients: Activated charcoal, artichoke leaf extract | Skin Type: Oily, acne-prone | Benefits: Exfoliates, cleanses, hydrates | Size: 5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Glycolic acid is our go-to cleanser ingredient for oily skin types, thanks to its pore-unclogging prowess. Here it’s paired with charcoal, an ingredient thought to aid in purifying the pores (though more research is needed to back up this claim). It's also worth noting it contains anti-aging powerhouse artichoke leaf extract. We love how it gently warms up as you massage it onto the skin, making the cleansing experience feel extra-luxurious. It's gentle enough to use every day, and should promote a more balanced complexion (and smaller-looking pores).

Best for Acne-Prone Skin

Replenix Exfoliating Acne Cleanser

$35 at Amazon $26 at Walmart View on Dermstore

Key Ingredients: Salicylic and glycolic acids | Skin Type: Oily, acne-prone | Benefits: Exfoliates, cleanses | Size: 6.8 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Battling blemishes? Meet your new BFF. Think of glycolic acid and salicylic acid as the peanut butter and jelly of the skincare world, a dynamic duo that works perfectly in sync. Here, they’re all it takes to unclog pores, minimize oil, and even fade dark spots left over from pimples past. It can be a bit drying, especially if your skin is already on the dry side. If that sounds like you, we suggest using this product every other day or every few days.

Best Multitasking

Glow Recipe Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser

$34 at Amazon $10 at Sephora

Key Ingredients: Blueberry extract, hyaluronic acid | Skin Type: All | Benefits: Exfoliates, cleanses, hydrates | Size: 1, 5.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This formula addresses several complexion concerns at once. Unlike most other options on this list, glycolic acid is not the superstar here, it's just one of a more varied cast of ingredients. Yes, there’s glycolic acid for exfoliating purposes, but there’s also hyaluronic acid for hydration, and antioxidant-rich blueberry extract to protect your skin from environmental stressors. We love the subtle fruity scent and how it rinses off completely cleanly. It may not be the best pick for acne-prone skin though since it's on the gentler, more moisturizing side.

Best on Amazon

InstaNatural Glycolic Acid Facial Cleanser

$16 at Amazon

Active Ingredients: Glycolic acid, cucumber extract | Skin Type: Oily, acne-prone | Benefits: Exfoliates, cleanses, hydrates | Size: 6.8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This Amazon fan-favorite has somewhat of a cult-like following, and for good reasons. The oil-free formula combines glycolic acid with a long list of natural ingredients—cucumber extract, organic chamomile, green tea extract, willow bark, and many more. Collectively, they can help exfoliate, cleanse, and even minimize the look of lines and wrinkles. Just look at any of the glowing (pun intended) rave reviews that refer to the product as ‘miraculous,’ ‘life-changing,’ and ‘best’...you get the picture. The only negatives we saw were some reviewers didn't vibe with the scent.

Best Extra-Strength

Sobel Skin Rx 27% Glycolic Acid Facial Cleanser Facial Cleanser

$43 at Amazon View on Drsobelskinrx.com

Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, allantoin | Skin Type: Oily, acne-prone | Benefits: Exfoliates, cleanses, hydrates | Size: 5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Fair warning, this option, another editor favorite, is best reserved for glycolic acid veterans who really want to up the ante. True to its name, it touts a whopping 27% concentration of glycolic acid for some mega-exfoliating and skin-tone evening effects. That said, there’s also a trio of soothing ingredients—allantoin, aloe extract, and chamomile—to help minimize the likelihood of any irritation.

Best Plant-Derived

Alpyn Beauty Creamy Bubbling Cleanser

$36 at Amazon $36 at Sephora $36 at Credo Beauty

Key Ingredients: AHAs, papaya enzymes | Skin Type: All | Benefits: Exfoliates, cleanses, hydrates | Size: 4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Product purists will appreciate that this formula relies on all kinds of natural ingredients. Glycolic and lactic acids are paired with papaya enzymes and pomegranate extract to achieve an ideal mix of gentle exfoliation and hydration that makes this cleanser perfect for everyday use. As the name suggests, it goes on creamy, but bubbles up nicely, and (not that appearance really matters) but we’re also obsessed with how pretty it looks.

Best With Physical Exfoliants

Murad Exfoliating Cleanser

View on Ulta $46 at Amazon $18 at Sephora

Key Ingredients: Salicylic, lactic, glycolic acids, sodium PCA | Skin Type: Oily, acne-prone | Benefits: Exfoliates, cleanses, hydrates | Size: 2, 6.8 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

This derm-developed choice is well worth every penny. It contains chemical and physical exfoliants to act as a one-two punch to the dirt and grime that builds up in your pores. Credit a litany of different exfoliants (glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acids, and biodegradable jojoba beads). But we also appreciate the addition of sodium PCA, which helps attract moisture to keep skin plump and elastic. After all, you need your skin barrier to function properly.