Over the last few months, we’ve seen a variety of products dominating the market, all of which seem to contain either Glycolic Acid or Salicylic Acid. Knowing which one to incorporate into a skincare routine, though, can be difficult, especially if you’re unsure what they actually target.
From body sticks to toners, choosing between salicylic acid and glycolic acid often comes down to your specific skin type and concerns, and where on your body you’ll be applying them. Here, we break down the differences between Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs) and Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs), in addition to the benefits of each, and the top-performing products we have tried and tested.
We have not been financially compensated by any of the brands on this list. This review, and any of our opinions, are entirely our own.
AHA vs BHA Exfoliation: What is the difference?
To find the right acid for your skin, you should first understand how they differ in their function:
Salicylic Acid (BHA): Oil-soluble. It penetrates deep into your pores and removes excess sebum and dead cells.
Glycolic Acid (AHA): Water-soluble. It works on the surface of the skin to break down dead skin cells, which ultimately leads to smoother and brighter skin.
Salicylic Acid: Benefits, Uses, and Application
Salicylic acid is highly effective at cleaning out deep-seated blockages in the skin, since it can move past any natural oils. It is gentle on the skin and anti-inflammatory, so you can use it on any inflamed spots or acne.
Key Benefits:
- Clears blackheads, whiteheads, and recent breakouts.
- Helps to regulate oil production
- May calm redness of the skin
Where to Use It:
- The face, specifically your T-zone and chin.
- The chest, upper back, and around the shoulders.
Glycolic Acid: Benefits, Uses, and Application
Glycolic acid penetrates the surface layer of the skin quickly due to its small molecular size. It’s for this reason that it can reduce the appearance of dull or uneven skin.
Key Benefits:
- Can help fade hyperpigmentation, reduce dark spots, and even out acne scars.
- Works to smooth rough skin
- Improves the way skin holds onto moisture, boosting hydration
Where to Use It:
- Around the face, particularly the forehead and cheeks, avoiding the eyes.
- Any dry or rough patches of skin on the heels, elbows, and underarms – anywhere that is susceptible to Keratosis Pilaris (KP).
Top Product Breakdown: What We Tested
To help you find the right products for your skincare routine, we tested a few of the leading products in the industry that contain these two viral acids, targeting both the face and body.
Important Note: When applying these acids (especially Glycolic Acid) to your body and face, always apply an SPF 50 sun cream when exposing your skin to the sun. They can increase your sensitivity, which can result in severe sunburns, hyperpigmentation, and premature ageing.
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 0.5% Body Serum
This is a brand that always seems to hit the mark. Better still, it’s one of the most affordable on the market. The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 0.5% Body Serum bottle comes with a small, twisted nozzle at the top, where you can apply the liquid directly to your hands or a cotton pad. We use our hands since the formula causes no reaction, even with eczema-prone hands.
A small amount goes a long way, so use it sparingly and try a small amount first. We applied it to the body and the face after cleansing. We found that it was highly effective for removing blemishes on the body, especially stubborn body acne and razor bumps. Even after shaving beforehand, there was no uncomfortable feeling or reaction to the solution. Our face felt much cleaner after a week of use, and we saw a noticeable difference in the number of blind spots (large, under-the-skin blemishes) – something we’re prone to.
The brand also does a serum with a stronger solution specifically for the face (The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution), which we’ve yet to try.
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner
While it’s advertised as a facial toner, we recommend using The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner across various areas of the body. We applied it to the upper areas of our arms, lower back, and around the forehead and cheeks of our face. We did find some slight irritation when applying the product, usually after shaving, so this is something to bear in mind.
Over time, we’ve seen a significant reduction in the number of ingrown hairs after shaving and fewer rough bumps on the skin. We didn’t see much of a difference to the face, so we switched to a different exfoliator.
We had hoped Glycolic Acid would also help with stretch marks, but we’ve not yet seen a big difference in the fading of the marks. We’ll likely continue application for a few more months and then move on to another product if there is no difference. We used this product in combination with the salicylic acid solution from The Ordinary, so we can only attribute any improvements to using both simultaneously.
Important Note: You should avoid using both products at the same time. We would alternate their use each evening. Or we’d use one in the morning and the other after cleansing later in the evening.
Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
We saw this product making the rounds all over social media, recommended by dermatologists and skincare experts alike. And the fact that it listed salicylic acid as its main active ingredient meant we had to try it for ourselves.
It’s among the pricier products covered on this list and among our skincare collection, but Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is one of the best in our opinion. First off, it’s the gentlest exfoliator we’ve tried, causing no irritation whatsoever on the face but some slight tingling and itching on the neck (likely from shaving). The formula is viscous yet fluid, meaning you only need a few drops to cover the entire facial area.
After four weeks of continued use, applying once daily, as well as the use of Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum and LANEIGE Water Bank moisturiser, we found our skin had minimal breakouts and a healthy glow. The effects were much more noticeable than other exfoliators we’ve used, and your skin doesn’t sting, nor does it feel dry.
The INKEY List Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body Stick
We’ve recommended this product in the past, and we still think it’s a great solution to help with conditions like ingrown hairs and Keratosis Pilaris. However, we would now recommend The Ordinary’s Glycolic Acid instead. Not only did we find the latter to be more effective at targeting stubborn body bumps, but the liquid formula doesn’t leave a residue like The INKEY List’s body stick.
If you want to avoid irritation, though, consider The INKEY List Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body Stick instead. The addition of Shea Butter means it’s gentler on the skin. Plus, it’s a great product to take with you on the go or on holiday, without worrying about carrying heavy skincare that could potentially leak.
The INKEY List 10% Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Toner
This is a product we have used for years and have always stood by it. It is highly effective at brightening dull complexions and enabling other products to penetrate deeper. The formula is stronger than that of The Ordinary, meaning it can be more effective, but it can be irritating for sensitive skin. Try to introduce it slowly into your routine, using it once a day, and then you can start to use it more often.
After switching to Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, we now prefer using this product. However, we occasionally revert back to The INKEY List 10% Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Toner if we want to even out our complexion.
Can You Use Salicylic Acid and Glycolic Acid Together?
Yes, but you need to be careful. Combining both products at the same time can cause skin to become irritated and potentially dry due to compromising your moisture barrier. You may also suffer from sensitivity and peeling. We’d instead recommend a skin cycling routine:
- Night 1: Apply Glycolic Acid to your arms, chest, back, forehead, cheeks, and any area where there is significant dryness
- Night 2: Apply Salicylic Acid to your T-zone, upper back and shoulders, and areas where you suffer from acne.
- Nights 3 and 4: Avoid using any exfoliating products and instead focus on using moisturising and hydrating products like Ceramides and Hyaluronic Acid.
Once you’ve built up your tolerance to the products, you may choose to use salicylic acid in the morning and glycolic acid at night. And then continue to use these products regularly.
Top Tip: Use each product once at first and then leave your skin product-free for a day or two to see how it reacts. Only continue to use it if your skin feels comfortable and you’ve experienced no adverse reactions. If you’re worried about how your body might react, do a patch test first.
Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?
- Choose Salicylic Acid if your main concerns are acne, blackheads, and clogged pores on the body and face. We recommend using Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant for the face and The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 0.5% Body Serum for the body.
- Choose Glycolic Acid if you are suffering from rough or dull skin on your face and body. We recommend using The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner for the body and The INKEY List 10% Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Toner for the face. However, if we were to choose one exfoliator for the face, we’d advise going for Paula’s Choice Salicylic Acid.