Overview
Anthony has been making premium men's grooming products since 1999, though their glycolic cleanser works equally well for all genders and skin types. The 4.9% glycolic acid puts it squarely in the moderate range — effective enough to produce real results, gentle enough to use daily for most people. The addition of aloe vera, chamomile, green tea, and vitamin E makes this notably kinder to skin than the higher-concentration professional options.
Who It's Right For
Anthony's cleanser occupies a useful middle ground. It's not the most dramatic exfoliator, but that's not always what you need. It's best for:
- Daily users who want gentle ongoing exfoliation — the 4.9% is mild enough for daily use for most skin types
- Normal to combination skin that wants texture improvement without the intensity of professional-grade options
- People who've found Glytone too harsh and want to step down without giving up glycolic entirely
- Anyone who values a clean, elegant formulation with soothing supporting ingredients
Ingredients That Matter
Beyond the 4.9% glycolic acid, the formula includes:
- Aloe vera: Hydrating, soothing, reduces the potential irritation from the acid
- Chamomile extract: Anti-inflammatory, calms post-exfoliation redness
- Green tea extract: Antioxidant protection and additional soothing
- Vitamin E: Antioxidant, also conditions skin
There's a light fragrance — worth noting if you're fragrance-sensitive. It's not overpowering but it's there.
How It Performs
The texture is a light, clear gel that produces a soft lather. It doesn't strip the skin — you won't get that squeaky-tight feeling that can follow some glycolic cleansers. Used daily, skin becomes progressively smoother over two to three weeks. The improvement in texture is real, if more gradual than with Glytone. Dark spots take longer to fade compared to higher-concentration options, but the trade-off is you can use it without skin drama.
One thing worth mentioning: leave it on for 30–45 seconds before rinsing. Every rinse-off glycolic product benefits from a bit of contact time, and Anthony's is no exception despite the moderate concentration.
- Well-balanced, thoughtful formulation
- Suitable for daily use (most skin types)
- Soothing botanicals reduce irritation risk
- Paraben-free, vegan
- Premium quality feel
- Contains fragrance
- 4.9% won't satisfy power users
- Premium price point
- Results slower than Glytone
Verdict
Anthony Glycolic Facial Cleanser is one of the best-formulated options in its concentration range. It's the kind of product you reach for when you want daily glycolic maintenance without the intensity of professional-grade options — and it delivers exactly that. The price is premium, but the quality of the overall formula justifies it. If Glytone is too much for your skin or you simply want something you can rely on every day, Anthony is our recommendation.