The Smoother Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body Wash

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides maximum aha efficacy from the smallest most penetrating alpha-hydroxy acid.

Why It's Used: The most potent aha — glycolic acid's smallest molecular size provides the deepest penetration and highest efficacy of any alpha-hydroxy acid for exfoliation and anti-aging.

How It Works: Smallest aha (mw 76) provides deepest stratum corneum penetration. disrupts corneodesmosomes reducing cohesion. stimulates fibroblast collagen i and iii synthesis. efficacy is ph-dependent — free acid fraction determines activity.

Typically Found In: Chemical peels,body lotions,anti-aging serums,exfoliating toners

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Active ingredient – primary aha

Secondary Functions: Brightening,collagen stimulation

Application Areas:

Facial Skincare

Body Care

Hair Care

Beard Care

Color Cosmetics (Makeup)

Dietary/Oral Supplements

Typical Concentration Range: 1%–10% cosmetic; higher professional

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes – synthetic or fermentation-derived

Halal Status: Yes

Source Notes: Fermentation-derived or synthetic. ph must be ≤4.0 for aha activity.

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 2/5 – low to moderate

Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic

Sensitivity Concerns: Photosensitizing – mandatory spf use. start at low frequency.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Use with caution – spf required

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Eu cosmetics: max 10% leave-on, ph ≥3.5, mandatory sun protection advisory. professional peel concentrations regulated separately.

Works Well With: Niacinamide,ceramides,hyaluronic acid,spf

Avoid Combining With: Retinol in same step; multiple exfoliants simultaneously

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Glycolic acid's ph-dependent efficacy is critical: at ph 3.0 ~100% is in the free acid (membrane-permeable) form; at ph 3.5 ~70%; at ph 4.0 ~50%. the eu ph ≥3.5 requirement reduces free acid proportion, lowering efficacy but also reducing irritation — why professional peel concentrations at lower ph are far more active than equivalent cosmetic concentrations.

Last Verified: Cosing database,eu aha guidelines,cir safety assessment

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Exfoliates dead skin cells, attracts and retains moisture, brightens skin tone, and improves texture.

Why It's Used: Dual exfoliant and humectant – uniquely hydrating vs other ahas. gentler and suitable for normal-to-sensitive skin.

How It Works: Disrupts desmosomes to promote exfoliation at low ph. acts as humectant. also stimulates ceramide synthesis at lower concentrations for barrier support.

Typically Found In: Chemical exfoliants,toners,serums,professional peels

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Active ingredient – alpha hydroxy acid (aha)

Secondary Functions: Humectant,brightening,barrier support,ceramide synthesis

Application Areas:

Facial Skincare

Body Care

Hair Care

Beard Care

Color Cosmetics (Makeup)

Dietary/Oral Supplements

Typical Concentration Range: 2%–10% (daily); 20%–90% (professional); active at ph ≤3.9

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes – synthetic or fermentation-derived

Halal Status: Yes

Source Notes: Fermentation-derived from carbohydrates or synthetically produced. both l-form and dl-form used.

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 2/5 – low to moderate

Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic

Sensitivity Concerns: Photosensitizing – spf required. better tolerated than glycolic acid for most skin types.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Use with caution – spf required

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Safe at otc concentrations. eu: ≤10% leave-on at ph ≥3.5. mandatory spf advisory.

Works Well With: Niacinamide,ceramides,hyaluronic acid,spf

Avoid Combining With: Retinol in same step; multiple exfoliants simultaneously

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Lactic acid's role as a natural moisturizing factor (nmf) component makes it uniquely hydrating among ahas. ceramide synthesis stimulation at 2% provides barrier benefits complementing exfoliating activity.

Last Verified: Cosing database,stiller et al. lactic acid review,sccs aha opinion

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides deep exfoliation, collagen stimulation, and reduces acne with effects comparable to higher glycolic acid concentrations.

Why It's Used: Professional peels for multi-action: exfoliation + collagen stimulation + antibacterial against p. acnes.

How It Works: Disrupts corneocyte cohesion for exfoliation. stimulates fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis as a krebs cycle intermediate. antibacterial against p. acnes.

Typically Found In: Professional chemical peels,advanced treatment serums

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Active ingredient – alpha-keto acid

Secondary Functions: Collagen stimulation,antibacterial

Application Areas:

Facial Skincare

Body Care

Hair Care

Beard Care

Color Cosmetics (Makeup)

Dietary/Oral Supplements

Typical Concentration Range: 5%–40% (professional only at higher concentrations)

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes – synthetic or fermentation-derived

Halal Status: Yes

Source Notes: Synthetically produced or from natural fermentation.

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 4/5 – high at professional concentrations

Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic

Sensitivity Concerns: Photosensitizing – mandatory spf use. start at low frequency.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Consumer concentrations: use with caution; professional: practitioner-administered only

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Requires careful ph management. professional concentrations require medical/aesthetician supervision.

Works Well With: Niacinamide,ceramides,hyaluronic acid,spf

Avoid Combining With: Retinol in same step; multiple exfoliants simultaneously

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Pyruvic acid's collagen stimulation mechanism via krebs cycle intermediate may support cellular energy metabolism enhancing regenerative capacity – distinct from purely mechanical aha exfoliation.

Last Verified: Cosing database,cotellessa et al. pyruvic acid peels review

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides gentle exfoliation, brightens skin tone, balances ph, offers mild antioxidant benefits.

Why It's Used: Multi-aha and fruit acid formulations for moderate exfoliation with good tolerability.

How It Works: At appropriate ph, cleaves corneocyte adhesion. tartrate chelation stabilizes formulations by binding pro-oxidant metal ions.

Typically Found In: Chemical exfoliants,toners,serums,professional peels

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Active ingredient – alpha hydroxy acid (aha)

Secondary Functions: Ph adjuster,antioxidant,chelating agent

Application Areas:

Facial Skincare

Body Care

Hair Care

Beard Care

Color Cosmetics (Makeup)

Dietary/Oral Supplements

Typical Concentration Range: 1%–10%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes – synthetic or fermentation-derived

Halal Status: Yes

Source Notes: Naturally from wine production byproducts or synthesized. gras for food use.

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 2/5 – low to moderate

Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic

Sensitivity Concerns: Photosensitizing – mandatory spf use. start at low frequency.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Use with caution – spf required

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Safe at otc concentrations. eu: ≤10% leave-on at ph ≥3.5. mandatory spf advisory.

Works Well With: Niacinamide,ceramides,hyaluronic acid,spf

Avoid Combining With: Retinol in same step; multiple exfoliants simultaneously

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Tartaric acid's dual hydroxyl-dicarboxylic acid structure provides both aha exfoliation and enhanced chelation activity vs single-hydroxyl ahas.

Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12