Glycolic Acid Cleanser
✓ Glycolic acid verified
CeraVe Skin Renewing Nightly Exfoliating Treatment 5% AHA
Glycolic acid: 5% (glycolic + lactic acid blend)
Glycolic Acid Serums Compared by Label Strength (2026): 5% to 15%
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| Pick | Product | Glycolic % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Naturium Glycolic Acid Resurfacing Gel 10% | 10% (glycolic + natural fruit acids, as the brand words it) | Check Price |
| Best for Beginners | CeraVe Skin Renewing Nightly Exfoliating Treatment 5% AHA | 5% (glycolic + lactic acid blend) | Check Price |
Glycolic acid serums are leave-on products, and Medical News Today says leave-on formulas give the acid more time to work. The Naturium product page describes its product as a gel, and brands differ in how they describe the others. This page lists the three serums we track, with the label strength, published pH and each brand's directions side by side.
We only included serums that state their glycolic acid percentage upfront. A note on this roundup's size: three serums met our criteria after the 1 October 2026 catalogue review. For lower label strengths see our toner roundup; for higher strengths, see our peel roundup.
How We Evaluated These Serums
What we did: we read each product's label and ingredient list and the brand's own product page (read on 4 October 2026), checked the stated glycolic acid concentration, and checked for a published pH (audit of 5 September 2026; Naturium added and checked on 1 October 2026). What we did not do: no product on this page was used or tested by us. Everything here comes from labels, brand pages, the sources linked and the arithmetic below. Our method is set out on the about page.
Free acid is the share of the acid that is active at the product's pH: label % ÷ (1 + 10(pH − 3.83)), where 3.83 is glycolic acid's pKa (listed by PubChem). It is only calculated where a brand publishes a pH. Where none is published the table says "not disclosed". Of the three serums here, only Naturium publishes a pH, and it gives a range, so its free acid is shown as a range. Products are ordered by concentration, lowest to highest.
Important: All glycolic acid serums increase sun sensitivity. The FDA advises sun protection while using AHAs and for a week afterwards; Cleveland Clinic advises SPF 30 or higher, and our house line is SPF 30+.
CeraVe Skin Renewing Nightly Exfoliating Treatment — Best for Beginners
The CeraVe product page describes this as a pump-dispensed AHA serum with a 5% blend of glycolic acid and lactic acid, developed with dermatologists, and says it is suitable for all skin types including sensitive. It lists three ceramides, hyaluronic acid and licorice root extract, describes the formula as free of added fragrance, and says brightening and tone results after 8 weeks are consumer self-assessments from an 8-week study. The brand does not publish a pH.
The brand's directions say to apply one pump evenly to the face nightly after cleansing, avoiding the eye area and lips, and that it can be used alone or followed by a moisturizer. It carries the FDA sunburn alert: use sunscreen, wear protective clothing and limit sun exposure while using it and for a week afterwards. Our catalogue records a 1.7 oz bottle.
Who it is for: the brand's stated audience above. Our reading: the 5% is a blend of glycolic and lactic acid and the ratio is not given, so the glycolic acid content may be lower than 5% and the free acid cannot be calculated. We treat it as the lowest label strength here, not as a pure 5% glycolic product.
Naturium Glycolic Acid Resurfacing Gel 10% — Best Overall
✓ Glycolic acid verified
Naturium Glycolic Acid Resurfacing Gel 10%
Glycolic acid: 10% (glycolic + natural fruit acids, as the brand words it)
The Naturium product page describes this as an AHA exfoliating gel formulated with 10% "high-purity glycolic and natural fruit acids" in a 3.0 fl oz (88.7 ml) size, and states it is fragrance free and dermatologist tested. The ingredient list names glycolic acid and then fruit extracts (bilberry, sugar cane, orange, lemon, sugar maple and others), sodium hyaluronate and glycerin. Because the brand groups glycolic with fruit acids in that sentence, we treat 10% as the label figure and not as a guaranteed pure-glycolic content.
It earns the top slot here because the brand publishes a formula pH of 3.0 to 4.0 on the product page, which lets the free-acid arithmetic be done: roughly 4.0% at pH 4.0 up to roughly 8.7% at pH 3.0, as an upper bound for the 10% label. The FDA reports the CIR panel's conclusion for consumer products as 10% or less at pH 3.5 or higher, and the published range includes values below 3.5.
The brand's directions say to apply an even layer on face, neck and chest avoiding the eye area, start with a few applications a week and increase if tolerable, use no more than once a day, and follow with moisturizer. It says slight tingling or redness may occur and advises a patch test.
Who it is for: the page does not state an audience. Our reading: a pH range this wide (3.0 to 4.0) spans a real difference in free acid, so the true strength sits somewhere inside that band and we cannot say where.
QRxLabs 15% Glycolic Acid Renewal Serum — Best High-Strength
✓ Glycolic acid verified
QRxLabs 15% Glycolic Acid Renewal Serum
Glycolic acid: 15%
The QRxLabs product page gives 15% in its title and describes the serum as a powerful AHA blend derived from natural sources that exfoliates and refines skin. Its ingredient list names glycolic acid and then lactic acid and citric acid along with fruit extracts, centella, chamomile and calendula extracts; it does not list green tea. It says the formula is free of parabens, silicones, artificial fragrances and colorants. The brand does not publish a pH, and our catalogue records a 1 fl oz bottle.
The brand's directions say to apply to clean skin on face and neck without rinsing, that it may be used morning and evening, and to follow with sunscreen for daytime use. It advises a patch test on a discreet area and to discontinue use if irritation occurs.
Who it is for: the brand does not state an audience. Our reading: because the page calls it an AHA blend and lists lactic and citric acids, the glycolic share of the 15% is not stated, and the free acid cannot be calculated. It is the highest label strength on this page, so we would start at a low frequency; Cleveland Clinic advises once or twice a week to start.
Important: If you experience persistent redness, burning or peeling, reduce frequency or stop. Medical News Today says burning is not a sign the product is working and to wash it off and discontinue use; Cleveland Clinic lists sensitive skin, dry skin, rosacea, eczema, active infection and skin that is not healing as reasons for caution.
Concentration Comparison
| Product | GA% | Published pH | Free acid at that pH | Size | Brand's directions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CeraVe Nightly Treatment | 5% blend (glycolic + lactic) | not disclosed | — | 1.7 oz | Nightly, one pump |
| Naturium Resurfacing Gel | 10% (glycolic + fruit acids, brand's wording) | 3.0-4.0 | up to 4.0–8.7% | 3 fl oz | A few times a week to start, no more than once a day |
| QRxLabs | 15% (AHA blend per brand page) | not disclosed | — | 1 fl oz | May be used morning and evening |
What to Look For in a Glycolic Acid Serum
Disclosed concentration. Every product on our list states its concentration on the brand's own page, which is the minimum bar. Where that figure is for a blend (CeraVe, Naturium, QRxLabs) the glycolic share of it is not stated. The FDA says exfoliation depends on the type and concentration of the AHA, its pH and other ingredients.
Supporting ingredients. The brands list ceramides, hyaluronic acid, licorice root, fruit extracts, centella and chamomile. They describe these as supporting skin; we found no independent study showing they change how a glycolic acid serum behaves.
Texture. We found no source on serum texture or the line between a serum and a treatment cream, and the brands describe their products as a serum, a gel and a serum respectively.
Fragrance. The CeraVe product page and the Naturium product page state their products are free of added fragrance or fragrance free, and the QRxLabs product page says free of artificial fragrances. We found no source on whether fragrance-free glycolic products irritate less.
How to Use a Glycolic Acid Serum
These steps follow the brands' directions and the American Academy of Dermatology; follow your product's label over this page.
1
Cleanse your face
Naturium says to apply to skin, QRxLabs says to apply to clean skin, and CeraVe says after cleansing. We found no source on whether damp skin changes how the acid behaves, so we make no claim about it.
2
Apply as directed
CeraVe says one pump evenly on the face avoiding the eye area and lips; Naturium says an even layer on face, neck and chest avoiding the eye area; QRxLabs says face and neck, do not rinse off. We found no source for a number of drops.
3
Watch your skin
Medical News Today says burning is not a sign the product is working and to wash it off and discontinue. No source we read gives a wait before layering; our practical reading is to wait until skin no longer feels wet or tacky.
4
Follow with moisturizer
The American Academy of Dermatology says exfoliating can be drying and advises applying moisturizer immediately afterwards, and Naturium's directions say to follow with moisturizer.
5
Sunscreen every morning
The FDA says AHAs may increase sun sensitivity and advises sun protection while using them and for a week afterwards; Cleveland Clinic advises SPF 30 or higher during the day. See our glycolic acid and sun exposure guide.
Common Mistakes with Glycolic Acid Serums
Starting too strong. Cleveland Clinic advises starting once or twice a week and working up to nightly use only if skin tolerates it. We found no source for starting at 5 to 10% or for a number of weeks at each step.
Using it with retinol on the same night. Healthline's article on glycolic acid and retinol says glycolic acid and retinol generally should not be mixed directly and suggests different times of day or different days; Cleveland Clinic's retinol page suggests alternating days, or glycolic acid in the morning and retinol at night. Our glycolic acid vs retinol comparison covers which suits which goal.
Stacking it with vitamin C in the same step. Cleveland Clinic says that when you are first starting out you may want to avoid combining glycolic acid with vitamin C serums. Our glycolic acid vs vitamin C guide sets out what the sources say about scheduling both.
Ignoring the brand's frequency. The three brands give three different instructions (nightly, morning and evening, a few times a week to start), and Healthline's over-exfoliation article quotes a dermatologist who says skin should generally be exfoliated only one to two times a week. Where they differ, our suggestion is to start low.
Expecting a serum to behave like a peel. DermNet NZ says professional glycolic peels run from 20 to 70%, and the Sharad 2013 review says peel depth depends on concentration, coats and time. We found no source comparing a daily serum with a weekly peel, so we make no claim about which gives faster results.
Neglecting the rest of your routine. The American Academy of Dermatology says over-exfoliating can leave skin red and irritated, and the FDA advises sun protection while using AHAs. A cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen are the steps the sources point to.
Label strength and estimated free acid, at a glance
- CeraVe Skin Renewing Nightly Exfoliating Treatment 5% AHA Label 5% (figure covers more than one acid, so no free-acid estimate)
- Naturium Glycolic Acid Resurfacing Gel 10% Label 10% (figure covers more than one acid, so no free-acid estimate)
- QRxLabs 15% Glycolic Acid Renewal Serum Label 15% (pH not published, so no free-acid estimate)
Line: the label percentage. Bar: the estimated free acid at the brand's published pH, from label % ÷ (1 + 10^(pH − 3.83)); glycolic acid's pKa is 3.83. It is an estimate of how much of the acid is in its free form, not a measurement of what reaches the skin, and it is shown only where the label gives a plain glycolic percentage and the brand publishes a pH. Data from our product list; method in the percentage guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best glycolic acid serum?
We do not name a single best serum. Of the three here, only Naturium publishes a formula pH (3.0 to 4.0 on its Naturium product page), which is why we place it first for documentation; it is also listed as fragrance free by the brand. The CeraVe product page describes the CeraVe 5% blend as suitable for all skin types including sensitive, and the QRxLabs product page states 15% in its title.
What percentage glycolic acid serum should I use?
No source we read gives a best percentage. Cleveland Clinic advises starting glycolic acid once or twice a week and working up, and Medical News Today says beginners should look for low concentrations and pH not too acidic. The FDA reports the CIR panel's conclusion that consumer products are safe at 10% or less at pH 3.5 or higher with sun protection. We found no source for a number of weeks before moving up.
Is 10% glycolic acid serum too strong for beginners?
The sources do not say. The Naturium product page says to start with a few applications a week, use no more than once a day, and expect slight tingling or redness; it advises a patch test. By our arithmetic Naturium's 10% label at its published pH of 3.0 to 4.0 is roughly 4.0% to 8.7% free acid, which is a wide band. Cleveland Clinic advises once or twice a week to start, and Naturium's one-a-week starting point sits inside that.
Does glycolic acid serum help with aging?
Cleveland Clinic says glycolic acid stimulates collagen production and improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. In a 12-week study (Houshmand 2021) of an emulsion with 10% glycolic acid and 2% phytic acid, hyperpigmentation, texture and tone improved from week 4; the abstract does not report the number of participants or a control group. We found no trial of the serums on this page.
Will glycolic acid serum fade dark spots?
Cleveland Clinic says glycolic acid lightens dark spots from mild sun damage or acne, though over-the-counter products may take several months before pigmentation looks more even, and DermNet NZ says brown marks can improve with regular applications or peels. We found no source that gives a number of weeks, and none that addresses melasma specifically; the Sharad 2013 review reviews studies in melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation using professional peels.
Which is better for acne scars, glycolic acid or niacinamide?
We found no source comparing them. The Sharad 2013 review reviews glycolic peels for acne scars in clinics, including a study where 70% glycolic peels every 2 weeks improved atrophic scarring more than 15% glycolic cream used daily. Hakozaki et al. 2002 (Procter and Gamble) found niacinamide inhibited melanosome transfer by 35% to 68% in a cell model and decreased facial hyperpigmentation in 18 women after 4 weeks. Whether to use them together is not tested; see our glycolic acid vs niacinamide guide.
How long does glycolic acid serum take to show results?
Cleveland Clinic says over-the-counter glycolic acid products may take several months of consistent use before skin looks brighter or pigmentation is more even. A 12-week emulsion study (Houshmand 2021) reported improvement from week 4. We found no source for texture changes within 1 to 2 weeks or for a 3 to 6 month collagen timeline, so we do not give them.
What should I not mix with glycolic acid serum?
Cleveland Clinic says that when you are first starting out you may want to avoid combining glycolic acid with other exfoliants such as lactic and salicylic acids, retinol and vitamin C serums. Healthline's article on glycolic acid and retinol says glycolic acid and retinol generally should not be mixed directly, and suggests using them at different times or on different days. We found no source on benzoyl peroxide or a 15% vitamin C threshold.
Should I moisturize after glycolic acid serum?
The American Academy of Dermatology says exfoliating can be drying and advises applying moisturizer immediately afterwards. The Naturium product page says to follow with moisturizer, and the CeraVe product page says its treatment can be used alone or followed by a moisturizer. We found no source for waiting 1 to 2 minutes or for specific moisturizer ingredients.
When should I apply glycolic acid serum?
Cleveland Clinic says glycolic acid should be used at night because, like retinol, it increases sun sensitivity, and DermNet NZ says leave-on AHA preparations are best applied at night. Brands differ: the CeraVe product page says nightly, while the QRxLabs product page says it may be used morning and evening, with sunscreen for daytime use. The FDA advises sun protection while using AHAs and for a week afterwards.
Can I use glycolic acid serum every day?
The brands differ: the CeraVe product page says to apply nightly, the QRxLabs product page says morning and evening, and the Naturium product page says to start with a few applications a week and use no more than once a day. Cleveland Clinic advises starting once or twice a week and working up to nightly use if skin tolerates it, and Healthline's over-exfoliation article quotes a dermatologist who says skin should generally be exfoliated only one to two times a week. We found no source for percentage-specific schedules.
Can I use glycolic acid serum on my body?
The Naturium Naturium product page says to apply the gel to face, neck and chest. For the body, see our roundups of glycolic acid body washes and creams. We found no source on serum size or cost for body coverage, so we make no claim there.