Glycolic acid is an AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) — the smallest acid molecule, so it penetrates well and is the most effective exfoliant for surface glow and texture. It’s powerful, which means it’s also easy to overdo.
What it does
AHAs work on the skin surface: they dissolve the “glue” holding dead skin cells, revealing brighter, smoother skin. Over time, glycolic acid helps with dullness, rough texture, fine lines, and post-acne dark spots.
AHA vs BHA — which do you need?
- AHA (glycolic): surface glow, dryness, dullness, sun damage, dark spots. Better for normal/dry skin.
- BHA (salicylic): goes inside pores — better for oily, acne, blackheads. (See the BHA guide.)
How to use it (Bangladesh)
- Use at night, start 1–2 times a week, build up slowly.
- Sunscreen the next day is non-negotiable — AHAs make skin much more sun-sensitive, and in BD’s strong sun that means new dark spots if you skip it.
- Follow with a ceramide moisturizer to protect the barrier.
What not to mix
Don’t layer glycolic acid with retinol, BHA or vitamin C on the same night — alternate them. (See layering order.) During pregnancy, low-% glycolic is generally considered fine, but check with your doctor.
Buy authentic AHA products
Acids degrade and are commonly faked. At TheSkinProof, every glycolic/AHA product is invoice-verified, batch-checked and climate-stored, with a 2× money-back guarantee. Browse authentic AHA products.
Before you buy: check authenticity, not price
Don’t chase the cheapest product — look for the authentic one. A cheap fake can damage your skin, and using nothing at all does less harm than using a counterfeit. But a high price doesn’t guarantee authenticity either — people overpay for fakes too. So judge by authenticity, not price.
TheSkinProof offers free authenticity verification. Message our Facebook page with the product and we’ll analyze it and tell you whether it’s real or fake — so it’s important to verify before you buy anything. Or simply buy from TheSkinProof, where every product is already invoice-verified with a 2× money-back guarantee.