8 best glycolic acid body washes, tested & reviewed

This Mario Badescu body soap includes a light mix of acids that doesn’t sting or irritate my skin, though some reviewers online have found it to be a little drying.

It also creates a nice lather and leaves my skin feeling smooth right after the first use. In terms of scent, while it’s a pleasant fruity and sweet combination, I find it to be a little too strong and it definitely lingers for a few hours.

If you are unsure about glycolic acid body washes, this is a great one to try out, as it’s both affordable and suitable for daily use. However, I wouldn’t recommend using it daily if your skin is sensitive.

I also like its cap, at first glance it seems like a regular twist cap, but it has a little nozzle that comes up and it makes it super easy to control how much you are using.

• Pros: affordable, suitable for daily use.
• Cons: strong scent, some find it drying.
• Bottle size: 236ml.
• Scent: fruity, sweet.
• Key ingredients: glycolic acid, fruit enzymes, grapefruit extract, ginseng, glycerin.

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This is one of the highest-rated and well-loved glycolic acid body washes, and for a good reason. Naturium changed the game when they introduced a variety of body washes packed with ingredients we’d normally find in facial skincare, from multi-vitamin, vitamin C, niacinamide and salicylic acid.

I’ve used and loved their Glow Getter Multi-Oil Hydrating body wash for years, and this glycolic acid version is the perfect addition to my routine, especially when using the two products together.

With The Smoother, I use one or two pumps, apply it generously, focusing on drier areas of my body, like my feet, elbows and knees and wash off with lukewarm water. For extra exfoliation, I leave it on the skin for a few minutes before washing off. This is great for bumpy and uneven skin.

It feels quite gentle on the skin, despite the multiple acids, including 5% glycolic plus a blend of AHA’s (malic, lactic, pyruvic and tartaric). The formula also includes a biomimetic red algae, that aims to soothe and moisturise the skin, which according to the brand acts as ‘second skin’ to retain moisture. In fact it’s so gentle, that the brand mentions it can also be used on the face. I’m not sure my skin would handle that, but I bet my husband would love it!

I really like its creamy texture that feels luxurious, its rich lather, the fact that it comes in a large bottle (with a pump!) and its price, which I think is great considering the 500ml size of the bottle.

• Pros: vegan, large bottle, comes with a pump, can also be used on the face.
• Cons: none!
• Bottle size: 100ml / 500ml.
• Scent: fragrance-free.
• Key ingredients: glycolic acid, malic acid, lactic acid, pyruvic acid, tartaric acid, biomimetic red algae.

As part of the ‘sport’ range of the brand, this shower gel is refreshing, exfoliating and a dream to use post-exercise. Other products in this range include an AHA serum deodorant and lip balm.

The combination of various acids (glycolic, lactic, mandelic and citric), with the papaya fruit enzyme, gently exfoliates the skin while allantoin soothes, hydrates and heals the skin.

As it doesn’t lather much, I feel like I am using more product than I would otherwise. This isn’t a big issue for me, but it’s something to keep in mind! I really like its fresh and uplifting scent, especially in the morning, which happens to be my preferred workout time.

I found that when I applied more product, it felt a little drying and tingled a bit, so I'd say a little goes a long way. I would only use this a few times per week and not daily, to avoid any dryness.

My skin feels instantly softer and smoother after use, and I particularly like how suitable this is for post-exercise showers.

• Pros: multiple acids, perfect post-workout, helps with little spots and bumps.
• Cons: N/A.
• Bottle size: 275ml.
• Scent: fresh, tropical.
• Key ingredients: glycolic acid, lactic acid, mandelic acid, citric acid, papaya enzyme, allantoin.

I’m a sucker for great products in beautiful packaging and generally love all the Nécessaire body washes I’ve previously tried, with Sandalwood being my all-time favourite.

This Hinoki version, apart from the beautiful citrusy-woody aroma of hinoki wood oil, is also packed with acids and antioxidants, and niacinamide, the ultimate all-rounder for pigmentation, texture and glow. Another ingredient that drew my attention is resveratrol, an antioxidant polyphenol derived from red grapes and other berries, which is aimed at helping with skin ageing.

This body wash is not only a pleasure to use but also looks amazing on your bathroom shelf. The scent is so wonderful and calming, it smells fresh and green, thanks to the hinoki oil (a Japanese cypress tree), which also soothes and hydrates the skin alongside the exfoliating acid. It’s the perfect body wash for an everything shower, and a firm addition in my ‘at-home’ spa evenings.

The light gel texture and the rich lather make it a dream to use, plus it feels non-drying and suitable for daily usage.

• Pros: cruelty-free, nice scent, antioxidant-rich.
• Cons: a little pricey.
• Bottle size: 250ml.
• Scent: fresh.
• Key ingredients: glycolic acid, lactic, mandelic, salicylic, niacinamide, vitamin E, glycerin, resveratrol, hinoki wood oil.

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The QMS range is fantastic, overall, so I had high hopes for this body care product. In case you haven’t tried the brand in the past, it was created by German plastic surgeon Dr. Erich Schulte, after discovering the importance of collagen in skin healing and its application in cosmetics in the early 90’s.

I love the fact that this product is a foam, it’s easier to apply, I feel a little goes a long way and the way to use it is quite simple. Unlike a traditional shower gel that you’d apply and wash off right after, this is meant to be left on the skin for five minutes.

They recommend applying it maximum twice per week. As with all acid washes, avoid applying it on wounded or damaged skin. This product is ideal for dry or flaky skin – the perfect time to try it is winter – and the longer it’s left on the skin the more intense the results, notes the brand.

The 5% glycolic acid and fruit acid complex, help exfoliate the skin. Paired with mandelic acid, which improves the appearance of the skin, gluconolactone that exfoliates and strengthens the skin barrier, plus antioxidant and reparative vitamin E.

I love that despite its multi-acid ingredients my skin feels smooth and moisturised immediately after use. I really enjoy using this only on specific parts of the body that might need extra exfoliation, like my knees and soles of my feet. It works wonders on dry skin!

• Pros: strengthens the skin barrier, easy to apply, exfoliates well
• Cons: not readily available, pricey.
• Bottle size: 200ml.
• Scent: woody.
• Key ingredients: glycolic acid, mandelic acid, lactic acid, gluconolactone, papaya and bacullis ferment enzyme complex, vitamin E.

Chemist at Play is a ‘Made in India’ brand that calls itself “India’s 1st Ceramides-based skincare”. They offer a variety of interesting ingredient combinations and six different body washes for all needs; from body odour controlling to hydrating. This brightening wash is ideal for areas of the body with hyperpigmentation as it combines vitamin C, alpha arbutin, antioxidant camu camu and exfoliating glycolic acid.

Its scent is lovely, something I saw mentioned in many Amazon reviews; it’s tropical and a little woody. It may be a little strong for some, so keep that in mind. It lathers ever so slightly, and I felt a minor tingling on my skin after washing it off. I like how long the bottle lasts and the fact that I can easily get it via Amazon, though it’s not available elsewhere. Perhaps this will change in future, as I find the product selection quite interesting. My skin feels soft and smooth even after one use. At the end of the week, I noticed prolonged softness and a smoother complexion.

• Pros: antioxidant, brightening, cruelty-free, vegan.
• Cons: not widely available in stores, scent is a little strong.
• Bottle size: 236ml.
• Scent: tropical-woody.
• Key ingredients: vitamin C, glycolic acid, camu camu, alpha arbutin.

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It wouldn’t be a complete product trial without featuring at least one K-beauty product, and this body cleanser, packed with AHAs, BHAs and PHAs, does not disappoint.

As one of the brand’s bestsellers, the 30 Days Miracle Acne Clear Body Cleanser will work well for anyone who wants to target body acne, ingrown hair while exfoliating their skin. The addition of centella asiatica (also known as tiger grass) and propolis extract offer soothe and support the skin, while leaving my skin hydrated, despite the acid combination that could otherwise be very drying. After initially applying it on the body it does give me that squeaky clean feeling that we used to love in a face wash before discovering it’s not great for the skin. Alas, this is nothing a body cream can’t fix.

This is also a great body wash post-workout, as well as for people with oily or combination skin. I enjoyed using this over areas with little spots or breakouts, like the chest or back (especially after I wash my hair, to remove any hair mask residue), or areas prone to ingrown hairs like the back of my legs. Word of warning: a little product goes a long way with this one.

Its fresh scent reminds me of eucalyptus – it’s instantly mood-boosting and relaxing!

• Pros: large bottle, affordable, mix of acids, anti-acne.
• Cons: not widely available in stores.
• Bottle size: 400ml.
• Scent: fresh.
• Key ingredients: tea tree, centella asiatica, salicylic acid, AHAs, PHAs, propolis extract.

I love a travel-friendly product, especially one that doesn’t count towards my precious liquid allowance when I’m travelling with hand luggage only. This bar of soap is quite gentle and moisturising thanks to the addition of hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, which nourish the skin and support its reparative process. In addition to the glycolic acid, this soap contains seaweed extract, which also acts as a gentle exfoliant.

In terms of scent, it’s very fresh and mild, and reminds me a bit of the original Dove soap.

After use, my skin feels instantly soft and moisturised. As this product is suitable for both the body and face, I’m assuming it has a lower percentage of acid in its formulation, making it ideal for more sensitive skin. However, if you have very sensitive skin, always patch-test! Although a bar soap isn’t my first choice for body washes, this is pleasant to use.

The brand also makes bars of soap with various other ingredients, like ceramides, salicylic acid and retinol.

• Pros: travel-friendly, can be used on the face and body, Made in England.
• Cons: likely has a lower percentage of acid.
• Size: 80g.
• Scent: fresh.
• Key ingredients: glycolic acid, seaweed, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, glycerin.