Basically, AHAs, or alpha hydroxy acids, are powerful ingredients, mostly derived from fruits and nuts, that work to exfoliate the skin, boost collagen and elastin production, treat acne, and fight hyperpigmentation. The best part is that these chemical exfoliants are considered pretty gentle, which makes them suitable for almost all skin types. They gently strip the skin of dead skin cells and enhance the production of newer cells, giving your skin a radiant and youthful appearance.
The most commonly used AHA acids in body lotions are glycolic and lactic acids, as they have the ability to penetrate the skin the most easily.
In this article, we have carefully picked the ten best Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) body lotions that will guarantee you clearer, smoother, and more even-toned skin.
Table of Contents
- 1 AHA Body Lotions - Top 3 Editor's Picks
- 2 Best AHA Body Lotions
- 2.1 Best Overall: GLYTONE Exfoliating AHA Body Lotion
- 2.2 Best Gentle Formula: REN AHA Smart Renewal Body Serum
- 2.3 Best Affordable: Alpha Skin Care Renewal Body Lotion
- 2.4 Best for Keratosis Pilaris: DERMAdoctor KP Duty Skin Therapy with 10% AHAs + PHAs
- 2.5 Best for Acne-prone Skin: Touch Keratosis Pilaris Treatment with 12% Glycolic Acid & 2% Salicylic Acid
- 2.6 Best Lightweight: Paula's Choice Skin Revealing Body Lotion 10% AHA
- 2.7 Best for Ingrown Hairs:Perfect Image 8% Glycolic Acid + 2% Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Body Lotion
- 2.8 Best for Dry, Rough Areas: Donell AHA 20 Face and Body Care Exfoliating Body Moisturizer
- 2.9 Best Restoring Lotion: AmLactin Rapid Relief Restoring Lotion + Ceramides
- 2.10 Best for Dry Skin: Glycolix Elite 15% Body Lotion
- 3 The Bottom Line About AHA Body Lotions
AHA Body Lotions - Top 3 Editor's Picks
Best AHA Body Lotions
Best Overall: GLYTONE Exfoliating AHA Body Lotion
Glytone Exfoliating Body Lotion is one of the best AHA body lotions. It has a rich and nourishing formula with 17.5% glycolic acid to exfoliate, moisturize, and improve skin texture. Moreover, vitamin E, which is found in its composition, offers great antioxidant benefits to protect your skin against environmental aggressors.
Frequently recommended by dermatologists, this fantastic body lotion helps reduce the appearance of uneven skin tone and dry skin conditions such as keratosis pilaris, rough bumps, red bumps, scaly plaques, dry patches, and dry heels, elbows, and knees.
Pros:
- High concentration of glycolic acid (17.5%).
- Hydration and anti-aging effects.
- Great for dry skin conditions and keratosis pilaris.
- Also great for uneven skin tone and texture.
- A little goes a long way.
- Has a nice texture.
- Dermatologist-recommended.
Cons:
- The texture is not very lightweight.
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Best Gentle Formula: REN AHA Smart Renewal Body Serum
This superb body serum by REN is formulated with lactic acid as its key ingredient to gently exfoliate the skin and remove dead skin cells, leaving the skin feeling softer and smoother while providing a vibrant, natural glow.
The formula also includes probiotic extracts that strengthen the skin’s natural barriers and stimulate skin renewal, as well as Xylitol to help the skin retain its moisture.
REN AHA Smart Body Serum is lightweight and has a quick absorption formula.
Pros:
- Contains 10 percent alpha-hydroxy acids.
- Exfoliates, hydrates, and smoothes.
- Suitable for all skin types, even sensitive skin.
- Lightweight and easily absorbed.
- Great for dryeness, dullness, and uneven skin tone.
- Clean ingredients.
- Certified cruelty-free.
Cons:
- Some users complained about the smell.
Best Affordable: Alpha Skin Care Renewal Body Lotion
This skincare body lotion is a solid must-have if you want to achieve your skincare goals thanks to its high concentration of glycolic acid (12%) and a pH level of 4.0. It gently exfoliates sun-damaged, dry, rough skin and encourages collagen production, thus reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
The product does not have any fragrance, and although it has a thick formula, it spreads really well on the skin without being greasy.
Alpha Skin Care’s Renewal Body Lotion is suitable for all skin types. However, if you have sensitive skin, it’s always recommended to do a patch test.
Pros:
- Exfoliates while moisturizing skin with its 12% concentration of glycolic acid.
- It is suitable for all skin types.
- Affordable.
- Fragrance-free.
- Not tested on animals.
Cons:
- It has the potential to irritate sensitive skin.
Best for Keratosis Pilaris: DERMAdoctor KP Duty Skin Therapy with 10% AHAs + PHAs
DERMAdoctor KP Duty Skin Therapy is a great treatment for dry, bumpy skin and keratosis pilaris. In addition to alpha-hydroxy acids and poly-hydroxy acids, it also contains ceramides and soothing botanicals to replenish dry skin, hold in moisture, and prevent water loss.
Pros:
- Provides gentle exfoliation and hydration.
- Contains AHAs, BHA, and PHAs.
- Contains Ceramides that help lock in moisture and protect the skin.
- Gluten-free.
- Certified cruelty-free.
- Fragrance-free.
- Dermatologist-tested.
- Non-comedogenic.
Cons:
- Might take a while to absorb into the skin.
- May not be suitable for sensitive skin.
Best for Acne-prone Skin: Touch Keratosis Pilaris Treatment with 12% Glycolic Acid & 2% Salicylic Acid
This deeply moisturizing glycolic and salicylic acid body lotion combines 12% Glycolic acid with 2% Salicylic acid. It effectively treats keratosis pilaris, rough and bumpy skin, body acne and blemishes, scars, uneven skin tone and texture, redness, and dryness, leaving the skin smooth, clear, and nourished.
This product has the right pH level of 3.5 to allow the acids to penetrate deeply into the skin while not causing irritation or discomfort to the skin.
Touch Keratosis Pilaris body lotion is packed with ultra-moisturizing active ingredients and antioxidants, such as glycine soja oil, vitamin E, and aloe vera. The fact that it contains 2% salicylic acid makes it a great option for people with acne-prone skin.
Pros:
- Deeply moisturizing.
- Contains 12% glycolic acid and 2% salicylic acid.
- The company offers a money-back guarantee if you do not get the desired results.
- FDA inspected.
- No parabens, dyes, phthalates, sulfates, or drying alcohols.
Cons:
- It has a slightly thick texture.
Best Lightweight: Paula's Choice Skin Revealing Body Lotion 10% AHA
This body lotion by Paula’s Choice skincare is a real steal. The price is a bit on the higher end, but still affordable and worth the quality that it has to offer. The lotion contains many other ingredients along with 10% AHA, such as green tea extracts, shea butter, essential oils, glycerine, and vitamins E and C, which work like magic on your skin.
After exfoliation, the shea butter and green tea extracts leave the body smooth and supple like never before.
The best part is that the product is lightweight, very hydrating, and non-greasy. It helps reduce hard bumps and body acne, evens out skin tone, and gently removes any build-up of dead skin, leaving the skin smooth and clear. It also hydrates and softens the skin, eliminating any dryness.
The composition is fragrance-free and has an optimal pH between 3.5 and 3.9, which will protect your skin from irritation and dryness.
It is recommended to apply this lotion daily to maximize the results, either all over the body or to specific body areas that need to be treated.
Pros:
- You will notice the difference only after a few days of usage.
- It leaves your skin free of bumps and super smooth.
- Lightweight, very hydrating, and not greasy.
- Certified cruelty-free.
- Fragrance-free.
Cons:
- Some claim that it didn’t work for them.
Best for Ingrown Hairs:Perfect Image 8% Glycolic Acid + 2% Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Body Lotion
This glycolic acid body lotion is a very effective exfoliant. It is made to stimulate collagen production and improve cell renewal, reduce the look of wrinkles, fine lines, uneven skin texture, and enlarged pores. It also helps reduce acne breakouts.
Continued use will improve skin texture and clarity. In addition, it has an ultra-light formula that spreads easily over the skin and absorbs deeply and quickly.
Many users report that this AHA body lotion works wonders for ingrown hairs and keratosis pilaris (chicken skin).
Pros:
- It contains a blend of powerful ingredients.
- No parabens, sulfates, or phthalates.
- Not tested on animals.
- Recycled materials.
- A little goes a long way.
- Sustainable raw materials and practices.
Cons:
- Some complained that it made their skin itchy.
Best for Dry, Rough Areas: Donell AHA 20 Face and Body Care Exfoliating Body Moisturizer
If you’re looking for a glycolic acid lotion that also works as a moisturizer, then try Donell AHA 20 Face and Body Care Exfoliating Body Moisturizer. It has a unique formula that keeps the skin smooth, supple, and flake-free.
This amazing glycolic acid lotion softens the driest and roughest areas of the body. It can be used on your knees, elbows, and feet; it even helps soften calluses and minimizes cracking and flaking of the skin.
Pros:
- The product is affordable as compared to the other ones on the market.
- It works both as a moisturizer and as an exfoliant.
- It softens calluses and helps to relieve itching, cracking, and flaking.
- Has 20% glycolic acid.
- A little goes a long way.
Cons:
- It does not contain any other nourishing agents, essential oils, or vitamins.
Best Restoring Lotion: AmLactin Rapid Relief Restoring Lotion + Ceramides
This popular body lotion is very powerful yet very affordable. It is the only patented lotion that combines alpha-hydroxy therapy with lactic acid and 3 ceramides. Lactic acid gently exfoliates the skin and gives it a wonderful glow, while ceramides help restore the skin barrier and lock-in moisture for younger and healthier-looking skin.
This dermatologist-recommended restoring lotion by Amlactin is very effective in treating rough, flaky, dry, and bumpy skin. It is ideal for use on large areas of the body, like your chest, back, arms, and legs.
Pros:
- The price of the lotion, as compared to its features, is very affordable.
- It contains 15% lactic acid and 3 ceramides.
- It works great for keratosis pilaris, dry, bumpy, and itchy skin.
- Dermatologist-recommended.
Cons:
- The smell of the lotion is not the greatest.
Best for Dry Skin: Glycolix Elite 15% Body Lotion
This lightweight, fast-absorbing formula is also packed with a blend of antioxidants, such as vitamins A, C, E, green tea extract, and Co-Q10 to soothe and moisturize your skin, gently exfoliate dead skin cells, and protect your skin against environmental damage and premature aging.
The Glycolix Elite 15% Body Lotion is an ideal treatment for keratosis pilaris or chicken skin, acne, free radical damage, wrinkles, pigmentation, and dry skin conditions.
Pros:
- It has a good amount of glycolic acid in its contents, along with a potent blend of antioxidants.
- Oil-free.
- Non-comedogenic.
- Paraben-free.
- Dermatologist-approved.
- Fast-absorbing.
- Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
Cons:
- Some claim that it didn’t work for them.
The Bottom Line About AHA Body Lotions
These were some of our best picks for AHA body lotions. We hope this post has been helpful to you. We recommend that you purchase any of the above-listed AHA body lotions if you want to get quality and long-term results.
Also, if you’re looking for a high-quality AHA body wash to use in combination with your AHA body lotion, don’t forget to check out our article that outlines the best AHA body washes.
Lastly, as a word of caution, we recommend applying a high-SPF body lotion to the areas of skin that are exposed to the sun, wearing protective clothes, and limiting exposure to the sun while using products containing AHAs; if you are using AHA products for the first time, do a patch test; do not apply to the skin just after shaving.
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