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AHA exfoliant

AHA exfoliant keeps a formula's pH steady.

INCI: Glycolic Acid

ReferenceCatalog-linkedKey active

Find formulas with this

Pregnancy: generally fine

Safety status

PregnancyGenerally fineSee the pregnancy checker →

Good to know

Photosensitizingcaution
Can make skin more reactive to UV. Wear sunscreen in the morning when using it.

Decision snapshot

Current record

INCI name: Glycolic Acid
In our catalog: Found in 160 of the 7,133 products we've decoded
Label position: Typically #8 of a label (middle third) — across 160 decoded labelsLabels list ingredients in descending order only above 1% — position is a rough signal, not a concentration claim.
Pregnancy: Generally fine

This is not medical advice. see methodology →

Names & references

Official label names and chemical registry identifiers, with each available source kept explicit.

Official INCI name: Glycolic Acid
Korean label name: 글라이콜릭애씨드

Chemical registries

CAS79-14-1EC201-180-5PubChem757

Regulatory status

Canada · Health CanadaRestricted in Canadian cosmetics

In the Journal

Exfoliating Beads and Microplastics: What the US Ban Actually Covers
The 2015 US microbead ban only covers rinse-off products — leave-on plastics were never in scope. Here's what the law actually says, whether the "8 trillion beads a day" stat holds up, and how modern physical and chemical exfoliants compare.

Recent research

All research on AHA exfoliant →

Tracking 6 published papers (2025-2026).

Next-Generation Minimally Invasive Anti-Aging Therapy: Incorporation of Resveratrol-Nicotinamide Cerosomes into PLGA Microneedles for Enhanced Skin Permeation.
Pharmaceutics, 2026
International Expert Consensus on Integrated Skincare Active Ingredients for Pretreatment and Posttreatment Use With Medical Aesthetic Procedures to Enhance Skin Benefits.
Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 2026, cited 0× (OpenAlex)
Cosmetic Benefits of Medium-Depth Chemical Peels for Moderate Acne Lesions and Atrophic Acne Scars: A Single-Arm Clinical Trial in Young Adults.
Journal of clinical medicine, 2025

Where it fits in real formulas

Related ingredients, common formula neighbors, naming, and catalog context. This stays separate from evidence and personal-fit guidance.

Similar ingredients

related by documented function or concern

AHA exfoliant (gentle)Exfoliates surface scale and can make rough texture feel smootheralso for dark spots Vitamin CProvides antioxidant activity in a stable topical formulaalso for aging Vitamin B3Can improve the appearance of redness and uneven tone in some formulasalso for aging Mandelic AcidExfoliates the skin surface and may improve texture and uneven tonealso for dark spots UreaHelps dry, tight skin hold more water Azelaic AcidAuthorized or prescription formulations can treat acne or inflammatory lesions of rosacea, depending on jurisdictionalso for dark spots

Where it's used

Real brands and product categories from the 160 decoded products listing AHA exfoliant — an observation of our catalog, not a claim about market share.

Brands

COSRX (17)medicube (10)L'Oréal (6)Drunk Elephant (5)Facetheory (5)Paula's Choice (5)Glow Recipe (4)Anua (3)

Product categories

exfoliants (71), serums (16), toners (15), cleansers (14), masks (11), moisturizers (8)

Commonly appears alongside

How often another ingredient appears in the same decoded products. This does not show routine compatibility.

Mandelic Acid8%13 of 160 decoded products Kojic Acid5%8 of 160 decoded products AHA exfoliant (gentle)51%82 of 160 decoded products BHA exfoliant42%67 of 160 decoded products Azelaic Acid3%5 of 160 decoded products Ascorbyl Glucoside8%13 of 160 decoded products Alpha-Arbutin3%5 of 160 decoded products Urea4%6 of 160 decoded products Allantoin33%53 of 160 decoded products

Frequently asked questions

What does Glycolic Acid do in a formula?

AHA exfoliant's CosIng-listed function is "buffering": keeps a formula's pH steady.

Is Glycolic Acid safe to use during pregnancy?

Low-strength AHAs are considered well-tolerated topically — reviews put the reassuring range at up to ~10% with pH above 3.5, where systemic absorption is minimal. As with salicylic acid, the only real caution is high-percentage in-office peels. Keep daily SPF, since AHAs raise UV sensitivity.

How common is Glycolic Acid in skincare?

AHA exfoliant appears in 2% of the 7,133 decoded products in our catalog (160 products).

Which brands use Glycolic Acid?

In the products we've decoded, AHA exfoliant appears in formulas from COSRX, medicube, L'Oréal, Drunk Elephant, Facetheory.

What kinds of products contain Glycolic Acid?

In our decoded catalog, AHA exfoliant shows up mostly in exfoliants (71), serums (16), toners (15), cleansers (14), masks (11), moisturizers (8).

What is Glycolic Acid called in Korean?

On Korean labels, AHA exfoliant is listed as 글라이콜릭애씨드.

Where does Glycolic Acid usually appear on the ingredient list?

Typically #8 of a label (middle third) — across 160 decoded labels. Labels list ingredients in descending order only above 1% — position is a rough signal, not a concentration claim.

Products with AHA exfoliant

All 155 →

155 public products list this ingredient.

Catalog preview

A compact look at the first products in this result set

1–1 / 12

Browse full product list

About the sources

Ingredient lists show presence and order, not concentration, pH, ingredient grade, delivery system, or finished-formula performance.

Sources & methodology

Quick facts

Functions: buffering: keeps a formula's pH steady
Helps with: Brighten & fade dark spots Smooth fine lines Refine texture
FDA status (US): Cosmetic ingredient — generally no FDA premarket approvalA cosmetic AHA exfoliant. The FDA does not pre-approve cosmetic ingredients (it has issued guidance on AHA sun sensitivity).
Health Canada status: Restricted in Canadian cosmeticsRestricted in Canadian cosmetics under Health Canada's alpha-hydroxy-acid entry: 3–18% total mono-AHA equivalents at pH ≥ 3.5 for general consumer use (18–30%, or pH 3.0–3.5, for professional-use products); products meant to be diluted in bath water may exceed 10%. A sunscreen-use advisory is required on the label.read the Health Canada Hotlist →
Regulated differently by country: United States: not restrictedCanada: restricted - source →Why regulators disagree: a regulatory difference, not a safety verdict →
Source: Source: curated

In the catalog

Origin split: In 2% of decoded Korean products vs 2% elsewhere
Mostly in: exfoliants (71), serums (16), toners (15)
Price range: $1–$159 (median $21, across 149 priced products)

At a glance

In our catalog: 155 products

2D reference · PubChem CID 757

Ingredient pairings

Pairing guides

Hyaluronic acid + ceramidesCited benefit

Timing & cautions

PeptidesIntroduce slowly Peptides + vitamin CSeparate AM / PM Retinol + salicylic acidAlternate nights Salicylic acidAvoid same session Salicylic acid + sunscreenIntroduce slowly Vitamin C + salicylic acidIntroduce slowly

Cited answers on combining AHA exfoliant with other actives. Open a pairing for timing, cautions, and sources.

All ingredient pairings

Compiled from the EU CosIng database (ref 34147) · snapshot 16 June 2026. CosIng is an informational, non-legally-binding reference. Inclusion does not mean an ingredient is approved, safe, authorized for cosmetic use, or clinically effective. An INCI list does not reveal concentration, pH, ingredient grade, delivery system, or finished-formula performance.

All ingredients & pairings

AHA exfoliant

AHA exfoliant keeps a formula's pH steady.

INCI: Glycolic Acid

ReferenceCatalog-linkedKey active

Find formulas with this

Pregnancy: generally fine

Safety status

PregnancyGenerally fineSee the pregnancy checker →

Good to know

Photosensitizingcaution
Can make skin more reactive to UV. Wear sunscreen in the morning when using it.

Decision snapshot

Current record

INCI name: Glycolic Acid
In our catalog: Found in 160 of the 7,133 products we've decoded
Label position: Typically #8 of a label (middle third) — across 160 decoded labelsLabels list ingredients in descending order only above 1% — position is a rough signal, not a concentration claim.
Pregnancy: Generally fine

This is not medical advice. see methodology →

Names & references

Official label names and chemical registry identifiers, with each available source kept explicit.

Official INCI name: Glycolic Acid
Korean label name: 글라이콜릭애씨드

Chemical registries

CAS79-14-1EC201-180-5PubChem757

Regulatory status

Canada · Health CanadaRestricted in Canadian cosmetics

In the Journal

Exfoliating Beads and Microplastics: What the US Ban Actually Covers
The 2015 US microbead ban only covers rinse-off products — leave-on plastics were never in scope. Here's what the law actually says, whether the "8 trillion beads a day" stat holds up, and how modern physical and chemical exfoliants compare.

Recent research

All research on AHA exfoliant →

Tracking 6 published papers (2025-2026).

Next-Generation Minimally Invasive Anti-Aging Therapy: Incorporation of Resveratrol-Nicotinamide Cerosomes into PLGA Microneedles for Enhanced Skin Permeation.
Pharmaceutics, 2026
International Expert Consensus on Integrated Skincare Active Ingredients for Pretreatment and Posttreatment Use With Medical Aesthetic Procedures to Enhance Skin Benefits.
Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 2026, cited 0× (OpenAlex)
Cosmetic Benefits of Medium-Depth Chemical Peels for Moderate Acne Lesions and Atrophic Acne Scars: A Single-Arm Clinical Trial in Young Adults.
Journal of clinical medicine, 2025

Where it fits in real formulas

Related ingredients, common formula neighbors, naming, and catalog context. This stays separate from evidence and personal-fit guidance.

Similar ingredients

related by documented function or concern

Where it's used

Real brands and product categories from the 160 decoded products listing AHA exfoliant — an observation of our catalog, not a claim about market share.

Brands

COSRX (17)medicube (10)L'Oréal (6)Drunk Elephant (5)Facetheory (5)Paula's Choice (5)Glow Recipe (4)Anua (3)

Product categories

exfoliants (71), serums (16), toners (15), cleansers (14), masks (11), moisturizers (8)

Commonly appears alongside

How often another ingredient appears in the same decoded products. This does not show routine compatibility.

Frequently asked questions

What does Glycolic Acid do in a formula?

AHA exfoliant's CosIng-listed function is "buffering": keeps a formula's pH steady.

Is Glycolic Acid safe to use during pregnancy?

How common is Glycolic Acid in skincare?

AHA exfoliant appears in 2% of the 7,133 decoded products in our catalog (160 products).

Which brands use Glycolic Acid?

In the products we've decoded, AHA exfoliant appears in formulas from COSRX, medicube, L'Oréal, Drunk Elephant, Facetheory.

What kinds of products contain Glycolic Acid?

In our decoded catalog, AHA exfoliant shows up mostly in exfoliants (71), serums (16), toners (15), cleansers (14), masks (11), moisturizers (8).

What is Glycolic Acid called in Korean?

On Korean labels, AHA exfoliant is listed as 글라이콜릭애씨드.

Where does Glycolic Acid usually appear on the ingredient list?

Typically #8 of a label (middle third) — across 160 decoded labels. Labels list ingredients in descending order only above 1% — position is a rough signal, not a concentration claim.

Products with AHA exfoliant

All 155 →

155 public products list this ingredient.

Catalog preview

A compact look at the first products in this result set

1–1 / 12

Browse full product list

About the sources

Ingredient lists show presence and order, not concentration, pH, ingredient grade, delivery system, or finished-formula performance.

Sources & methodology

Quick facts

Functions: buffering: keeps a formula's pH steady
Helps with: Brighten & fade dark spots Smooth fine lines Refine texture
FDA status (US): Cosmetic ingredient — generally no FDA premarket approvalA cosmetic AHA exfoliant. The FDA does not pre-approve cosmetic ingredients (it has issued guidance on AHA sun sensitivity).
Health Canada status: Restricted in Canadian cosmeticsRestricted in Canadian cosmetics under Health Canada's alpha-hydroxy-acid entry: 3–18% total mono-AHA equivalents at pH ≥ 3.5 for general consumer use (18–30%, or pH 3.0–3.5, for professional-use products); products meant to be diluted in bath water may exceed 10%. A sunscreen-use advisory is required on the label.read the Health Canada Hotlist →
Regulated differently by country: United States: not restrictedCanada: restricted - source →Why regulators disagree: a regulatory difference, not a safety verdict →
Source: Source: curated

In the catalog

Origin split: In 2% of decoded Korean products vs 2% elsewhere
Mostly in: exfoliants (71), serums (16), toners (15)
Price range: $1–$159 (median $21, across 149 priced products)

At a glance

In our catalog: 155 products

2D reference · PubChem CID 757

Ingredient pairings

Pairing guides

Hyaluronic acid + ceramidesCited benefit

Timing & cautions

Cited answers on combining AHA exfoliant with other actives. Open a pairing for timing, cautions, and sources.

All ingredient pairings

Your cookie choices

Safety status

Good to know

Decision snapshot

Names & references

In the Journal

Recent research

Where it fits in real formulas

Where it's used

Frequently asked questions

Products with AHA exfoliant

Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Scrub

Glycolic Acid Toner

The AHA BHA PHA LHA 35 Peel

AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid

AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner

Refresh AHA/BHA Vitamin C Daily Cream

Refresh AHA/BHA Vitamin C Booster Serum

Watermelon Glow AHA Night Treatment

Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser

Doctor's Visit

Weekend Glow

Green Plum Refreshing Toner : AHA + BHA

About the sources

Safety status

Good to know

Decision snapshot

Names & references

In the Journal

Recent research

Where it fits in real formulas

Where it's used

Frequently asked questions

Products with AHA exfoliant

Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Scrub

Glycolic Acid Toner

The AHA BHA PHA LHA 35 Peel

AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid

AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner

Refresh AHA/BHA Vitamin C Daily Cream

Refresh AHA/BHA Vitamin C Booster Serum

Watermelon Glow AHA Night Treatment

Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser

Doctor's Visit

Weekend Glow

Green Plum Refreshing Toner : AHA + BHA

About the sources