What is Glycolic Acid?

Buffering

Glycolic Acid is a buffer that holds the pH steady.

This ingredient is listed in CosIng, the EU's cosmetic ingredient database. CosIng lists what it's used for as: Buffering.

CosIng function classes are the EU's standard list of the jobs an ingredient does inside a product, such as moisturizing, emulsifying, or preserving.

Anything to watch out for?

Some products' ingredient lists mark this ingredient as below. If a mark's reason fits your skin, it is the ingredient to weigh in those products.

Pregnancy skincare guidance lists this ingredient as one to be careful with.: Marked this way on one product.

Each mark comes from matching the product's full ingredient list against lists for fragrance, labeled fragrance allergens, drying alcohols, essential oils, fungal acne, pore clogging, and pregnancy caution.

Which products feature it?

41 of the 2320 products we've checked feature this as a key ingredient. Products that disclose a concentration or list it near the top of the ingredient list come first.

Showing 1 to 12.

SIDMOOL
Fast Turn Over Rebuilding Concentrate
It's registered in Korea as a functional cosmetic for brightening.
Key: Glycolic Acid (#5 on the ingredient list · 5%), Niacinamide 5%, Salicylic Acid 0.5%
Official (Korean)
28 claims, summarized
You can expect:
less visible dark spots
Only partly backed:
a smoother skin texture · better hydration · calmer skin
Don't count on:
better barrier support
See each claim
claims, checked
Niacinamide Whitening, a whitening functional ingredient as vitamin B3backed by evidence
Whitening functional cosmetics, helps with skin whiteningbacked by evidence
Because synthetic fragrance is not used, depending on individual differences, you may notice the characteristic sour scent of the AHA ingredient raw material.backed by evidence
AHA + BHA smooth skin!plausible, not tested
A skin formulation that is smooth and soft and has almost no noticeable viscosityplausible, not tested
Colorless and transparent.plausible, not tested
Provides moist nourishing hydration and helps with oil moisture balance.plausible, not tested
Moist and soft spreadability / almost no stickiness and a smooth finishplausible, not tested
Dead skin cell care+Whitening = celebrity glow serumpartly backed
Glycolic acid 5% + Salicylic acid 0.5% Keratin care + Anti problempartly backed
Speed up the dead skin cell turnover cycle to new skin!partly backed
Contains the highest content of niacinamide 5% for whitening functionalitypartly backed
pH about 4.1, weakly acidic, excellent dead skin cell care!partly backed
It generally contains 2%, but this product applied 5% for greater satisfaction.partly backed
The recipe promised to customers, applying AHA 5% and BHA 0.5%, helps with fast turnover and smooth, healthy skin moisturizing care.partly backed
Purslane water 5% that helps soothe the skinpartly backed
The scent of the raw ingredient as it is / an inoffensive scent that does not linger long and disappears as soon as appliedpartly backed
Sidmool cosmetics with no worries about bacteria, fungi, or microorganismspartly backed
Skin texture and whitening that change immediately when applied = celebrity glow serum!overstated
Purslane water, which helps soothe the skin and maintain health, relieves the burden of glycolic acid and salicylic acid.no supporting source found
Asiaticoside Centella asiatica ingredient helps with skin barrier careno supporting source found
Made so there is no difference in usage feel and functionno supporting source found
Skin irritation test completedno supporting source found
Animal freeno supporting source found
The Sidmool recipe faithful to dead skin cell care and brightening fulfills the dream that anyone, if with Sidmool, can have skin like celebrities on TV.nothing specific to check
A golden blend for moist and glowing skin!nothing specific to check
Sidmool creates with all its heart, sparing no good ingredients, to relieve the skin concerns of beloved family.nothing specific to check
Formulated based on the belief that cosmetic ingredients are quality itselfnothing specific to check
23YEARSOLD
BADECASIL P
It's made for a smoother skin texture and less shine.
Key: Glycolic Acid (#3 on the ingredient list · 4%), Betaine Salicylate 0.8%, Urea
Official (Korean)
13 claims, summarized
Only partly backed:
a smoother skin texture (amount unknown) · less shine
Don't count on:
calmer skin
See each claim
claims, checked
Betaine Salicylate 0.8%backed by evidence
Glycolic Acid 4%backed by evidence
* Limited to raw material characteristicsbacked by evidence
✅Strong exfoliation and sebum control with AHA 4%partly backed
Improve problem / Remove dead cells / Refine skin texture / Tighten pore / Control sebum / Adjust pH balancepartly backed
Betaine Salicylate - removes dead skin and sebumpartly backed
Glycolic Acid - exfoliation, normalizes skin turnover cyclepartly backed
Optima Pharmacy #1 cream large capacity now online!no supporting source found
✅K-Optima Pharmacy #1 cream at 880 branchesno supporting source found
✅Cumulative sales 2,000,000!no supporting source found
BADECA™ 0.5%no supporting source found
Badeka™ - removes excess dead skin, smooth skin textureno supporting source found
BioDtox - soothes skin hypersensitivityno supporting source found
23YEARSOLD
BADECASIL D
It's made for a smoother skin texture and calmer skin.
Key: Glycolic Acid (#11 on the ingredient list · 1%), Betaine Salicylate 0.5%, Centella Asiatica Extract 2%
Official (Korean)
26 claims, summarized
You can expect:
a smoother skin texture
Only partly backed:
calmer skin · less visible pores · less shine (amount unknown) · better hydration
See each claim
claims, checked
Contains Glycolic Acid (AHA), which may increase skin's sensitivity to sunlight, so it is recommended to use at nightbacked by evidence
Remove dead cellsbacked by evidence
Refine skin texturebacked by evidence
I have sensitive skin and worry about irritation / My skin is weak and easily turns redplausible, not tested
Centella Asiatica, Houttuynia cordata, Tea tree leaf extract - Soothes sensitive skinplausible, not tested
Soothe irritated skinplausible, not tested
Moisturize skinplausible, not tested
Betaine Salicylate - Removes dead skin cells and sebumpartly backed
AHA 1% + BHA 0.5% + Centella Asiatica / Refreshingly exfoliates while protecting the skin on days with many external irritantspartly backed
AHA/BHA - Removes dead skin cells from the skin surface and inside porespartly backed
Betaine Salicylate - Creates smooth skin texture through exfoliation and sebum controlpartly backed
Improves skin texture after 1 application / Improves rough skin surface / SESm(Skin Smoothness balue, A.U.) 199.74 -> 181.14 / -9.3% / Immediately improves skin surface irregularitiespartly backed
Skin texture improvement clinically verified / SKIN RESEARCH CENTERpartly backed
A daily-use cream good for exfoliation and oil controloverstated
Glycolic Acid - Exfoliates, normalizes skin turnover cycleoverstated
Ceramide NP - Strengthens moisture barrier, inhibits moisture evaporationoverstated
Mildly acidic ingredients may cause a slight tingling sensation during exfoliation, but this is a beneficial stimulus to the skin, so you can rest assuredoverstated
K-Optima Pharmacy's #1 Cream across 880 branchesno supporting source found
Cumulative sales 200 man!no supporting source found
Badeka™ - Removes unnecessary dead skin cells, smooth skin textureno supporting source found
BioDtox - Soothes skin hypersensitivity reactionsno supporting source found
Non-comedogenicno supporting source found
Suitable for acne-prone skin / NON COMEDOGENICno supporting source found
Adjust pH balanceno supporting source found
Moisture-hydrating blend formula provides refreshing texture and fast absorptionnothing specific to check
Improve problemnothing specific to check
CAREZONE
CAREZONE Homestatic Peeling Swap
Key: Glycolic Acid (#2 on the ingredient list), Gluconolactone, Mandelic Acid
닥터비기닝
Yuljak Yulmu Cream
Key: Glycolic Acid (#3 on the ingredient list), Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid
BY PROJECT
BY Blackhead Melting Remover
Key: Glycolic Acid (#5 on the ingredient list), Lactic Acid, Juglans Regia (Walnut) Shell Powder
AMPLE:N
Peeling Shot Ampoule
Key: Glycolic Acid (#5 on the ingredient list), Niacinamide, Gluconolactone
Dr.G
Dr.G Bakuchool Pore-fit Spicule Pad 30ea
Key: Glycolic Acid (#6 on the ingredient list), Niacinamide, Bakuchiol
ZEROID
Pimprove Toner
Key: Glycolic Acid (#6 on the ingredient list), Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid
Olive Young US Official (Korean)
2 claims checked
claims, checked
2. Refrain from use on areas with wounds or with abnormalities such as eczema and dermatitis.backed by evidence
A low-irritation exfoliating care toner for oily, blemish-prone skinpartly backed
COSRX
AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner
It's made for better hydration and calmer skin.
Key: Glycolic Acid (#7 on the ingredient list), Betaine Salicylate, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Water
Brand store Official (Korean)
15 claims, summarized
Only partly backed:
a smoother skin texture (amount unknown) · calmer skin (amount unknown) · less shine (amount unknown) · better hydration
Don't count on:
better barrier support
Tests passed:
hypoallergenic · skin irritation
See each claim
claims, checked
Skin low-irritation test completedbacked by evidence
First-step toner for getting started with Acid!plausible, not tested
Unlike ordinary toners that only replenish the skin's moisture, Acid toner has three effects: moisture supply, dead skin cell care, and skin texture refinementplausible, not tested
With a minimalism-optimized formula, we included only what is absolutely necessaryplausible, not tested
With a mist-type, light, non-sticky formula, it's perfect for dead skin cell care in a busy daily life!plausible, not tested
Dead skin cells · skin texture · oil/moisture balance care all at once!plausible, not tested
Refreshing daily dead skin cell tonerplausible, not tested
Not only the skin's old dead skin cells, but even waste products like sebum, completely gone! It's a smart toner that meticulously cares for the skin's outside and inside.partly backed
Mildly acidic · low-irritation, a burden-free daily tonerpartly backed
With white willow bark water and apple water containing natural Acid, low-irritation dead skin cell & sebum care, and even soothing & moisture supply with allantoin and panthenol!partly backed
Complete a healthy skin condition with a daily dead skin cell mist toner that has a skin-friendly mildly acidic pH formula and light, fast absorptionpartly backed
Mildly acidic pH formulano supporting source found
Strengthens the skin barrier with a mildly acidic pH formula, the healthiest for skinno supporting source found
If you've hesitated about Acid care, start gently!nothing specific to check
Spritz-spray and it's done, so it's more convenient than anythingnothing specific to check
CNP Laboratory
Dermaanswer Brightening Booster TXA-PDRN Ampoule
It's made for a brighter skin tone.
Key: Glycolic Acid (#7 on the ingredient list), Tranexamic Acid 10%, Sodium DNA 0.1%
3 claims, summarized
Only partly backed:
a brighter skin tone
See each claim
claims, checked
Tranexamic Acid (10%)backed by evidence
Derma Answer Brightening Booster TXA-PDRN Ampoulepartly backed
A brightening care ampoule that adds tranexamic acid 10% and two types of PDRN to high-purity glutathione. Blending effective ingredients carefully selected with CNP's know-how, it brightens skin tone and cares for marks such as melasma, blemishes, and other traces.partly backed
DR.&CO
Triple X Lotion
It's made for less visible pores and a smoother skin texture.
Key: Glycolic Acid (#7 on the ingredient list), Salicylic Acid, Sh-Oligopeptide-1
Official (Korean)
17 claims, summarized
Only partly backed:
less visible pores (amount unknown) · a smoother skin texture (amount unknown) · less shine (amount unknown)
Don't count on:
clearer-looking skin
See each claim
claims, checked
Protein your skin wants! 6 Peptidesbacked by evidence
AHA (A-ha) Glycolic Acid Skin Surface Dead Skin Cell Care (Water-soluble) BHA (Ba-ha) Salicylic Acid Pore Sebum/Dead Skin Cell Care (Oil-soluble)plausible, not tested
Triple X Lotion is not an ordinary lotion. It is a special lotion exclusively for trouble.partly backed
Sebum/Dead Skin Cells/Pores at once! A special lotion exclusively for troublepartly backed
Suitable for use on acne-prone skin when Triple X Serum+Lotion are used simultaneouslypartly backed
After 2 weeks of use of Triple X Set, measurement results show it helps improve pores.partly backed
After 2 weeks of use of Triple X Set, measurement results show it helps improve sebum.partly backed
Korea's first! The only! In-Cosmetics Asia Gold Award Winnerpartly backed
Aquatide is a new-material peptide that helps turn back the skin's time by activating the Nobel Prize-winning 'autophagy (self-eating)' principle.overstated
Medium ★★★☆☆ Efficacy Strengthno supporting source found
Teen/Adult Troubleno supporting source found
AHA+BHA at optimal ratio for skin trouble careno supporting source found
Peptides are components of proteins, and by acting on the skin through different combinations, they promote various physiological mechanisms and help the skin maintain homeostasis.no supporting source found
Patent No. 10-1384744 Registered in Korea / USA / Europe / Japanno supporting source found
Systematic 3-Step Care for Acne-Prone Skinno supporting source found
Dr.&Co products are supplied to more than 2,000 dermatology/aesthetic/Korean medicine clinics for over 15 years, and have been used as management programs and solutions, and post-procedure treatment care.no supporting source found
For over 15 years, we have researched improvement of troubled skin, and what changed in customers experiencing Dr.&Co was not only skin but confidence.nothing specific to check

Often featured alongside it

Are the claims about it backed up?

We checked each claim that features this ingredient. Open the list below to see the result for each one.

See the results by claim

Result	Claims
backed by evidence	2 of 8
plausible, not tested	1 of 8
partly backed	3 of 8
overstated	1 of 8
no supporting source found	1 of 8

These are counts of claims, not products. One product can name the same ingredient in several claims, and we checked each one on its own.