FYI, the Secret to Baby-Soft Skin Just Might Be This $6 Bodywash

Glycolic acid is an essential skincare ingredient. It’s one of the best things you can do to reveal your most glowing, radiant skin. The powerhouse ingredient works to "gently exfoliate dead skin cells, de-clog pores, and speed up the skin's natural renewal process,” according to Mila Moursi, celebrity aesthetician. 

Glycolic acid is a form of alpha hydroxy acid made from sugar cane. Alpha hydroxy acids, or AHAs, work to build collagen and shed dead skin cells, unlike their counterpart, BHAs, which go deeper into pores to help decrease oil production. Glycolic acid is the smallest AHA, so it’s well-absorbed by the skin and used most widely in skincare products—in fact, you probably already have a glycolic acid serum to help polish your face. 

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(Image credit: @lefevrediary)

Here’s the thing: Glycolic acid doesn’t need to be reserved for the skin on your face. In fact, this skincare superstar absolutely needs to find a home in your bodycare routine. By adding glycolic acid, you can have smooth, supple skin all over your body.

One of the easiest ways to start incorporating this exfoliant is through a product you’re already using every day: bodywash. Below, I’ve rounded up the best bodywashes that include glycolic acid so that you can start having touchably soft skin as soon as possible. Bonus: My favorite pick is on sale for $6 at Ulta right now, so you really can’t go wrong by trying it out for yourself.

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(Image credit: @dinahansen)

1. Best Overall: Mario Badescu A.H.A. Botanical Body Soap

2. Glytone Exfoliating Body Wash

3. Pixi by Petra Body Treats Glycolic Body Wash

4. Kosas Good Body Skin AHA + Enzyme Exfoliating Body Wash

5. Alpha Skin Care Moisturizing Body Wash

6. Lancer Skincare The Method: Body Cleanse

7. Some by Mi 30 Days Miracle Cleansing Bar

8. Typology Paris Anti-Blemish Shower Gel

9. Mederma AG Body Cleanser

10. Touch Keratosis Pilaris & Acne Exfoliating Body Wash

Other glycolic acid products we love:

This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated. 

Associate Beauty Editor

Katie Berohn is the associate beauty editor at Who What Wear. Previously, she worked as the beauty assistant for Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, and Prevention magazines, all part of the Hearst Lifestyle Group. She graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder, with a major in journalism and minor in technology, arts, and media, and earned her master's degree at NYU's graduate program for magazine journalism. In addition, Katie has held editorial internships at Denver Life magazine, Yoga Journal, and Cosmopolitan; a digital editorial internship at New York magazine's The Cut; a social good fellowship at Mashable; and a freelance role at HelloGiggles. When she's not obsessing over the latest skincare launch or continuing her journey to smell every perfume on the planet, Katie can be found taking a hot yoga class, trying everything on the menu at New York's newest restaurant, or hanging out at a trendy wine bar with her friends.