AHA body washes effectively address and relieve all skin conditions that might trouble you. They instantly feel therapeutic when you apply them to your body. What’s more? They are suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. Many natural and active acids like malic, glycolic, lactic, and mandelic acid fall under alpha-hydroxy acid. They have gentle exfoliating properties that penetrate your skin and help eliminate all the impurities and dead skin cells. This way, you can effectively get rid of acne, excess oil, blackheads, ingrown hairs, and rough patches. Besides all this, it can also help minimize skin conditions like keratosis pilaris. If you have not used an AHA body wash before and are looking forward to including one in your shower routine, this is the article for you. We have compiled a list of the best AHA body washes. So, what are you waiting for? Scroll down and choose one now!

Treat Distressed Skin With The 10 Best AHA Body Washes

1. Best For Sensitive Skin: Mario Badescu A.H.A Botanical Body Soap

Mario Badescu’s AHA body wash is infused with rejuvenating grapefruit and will leave your skin feeling refreshed. It also contains an enriching blend of ginseng to revitalize, enzymes to exfoliate, and linden for antioxidant benefits to bring your dull skin back to life. If you struggle with dry, oily, dull, or even troubled skin with blemishes or acne, you will do well to pick this body wash containing AHAs. For a soothing effect, you will also find oatmeal enriched with oat protein in this AHA exfoliating body wash that is kind to sensitive skin. Catie Wiggy, says, “This body wash is boosted by natural alpha hydroxy acids and when you use it daily it helps to visually improve uneven skin tone and texture and will work to control body acne”. Need more information about the body wash? Watch this video. Pros

Suitable for dry and oily skin and uneven skin tone Soothing for sensitive skin Controls body acne and blemishes Contains skin-friendly extracts Gives a refreshing feel Gently exfoliates skin to remove dead cells

Cons

Some may find it slightly watery

2. Best Anti-Aging: Alpha Skin Care Moisturizing Body Wash Sea Mist

The best combination of nutrients with anti-aging ingredients can be found in this exfoliating body wash with AHA. Alpha Skin Care’s AHA of choice is glycolic acid found in sugar cane and it targets hyperpigmentation, acne, dryness, and aging skin. It also contains vitamin E for increased blood circulation, aloe vera for moisture, and a pH level of 4.5. This body wash with AHA discards dead skin cells and boosts collagen production to make skin plump and youthful-looking. Use it on wet skin at the end of a long, tiring day, and you’ll be left feeling moisturized and rejuvenated with this alpha-hydroxy body wash. Pros

Contains anti-aging ingredients pH 4.5 Boosts collagen Moisturizes skin Reduces appearance of fine lines and wrinkles Treats acne

Cons

Might need a lot of product to lather up

3. Best Non-Comedogenic: TOUCH KP Exfoliating Body Wash

If you struggle with keratosis pilaris, which gives you bumpy skin and acne, TOUCH’s got the best AHA cleanser in store for you. Formulated with 15% of the chemical exfoliant glycolic acid, say goodbye to discoloration, acne, and dryness, along with 2% salicylic acid, which exfoliates dead skin to make way for new skin cells. This foaming alpha hydroxy acid body wash cleanses and moisturizes skin for a refreshed feel. For some antioxidant action in this AHA body wash for KP, vitamin E takes the lead and aloe vera finishes up with a soothing effect and prevents moisture loss from the skin. Patch test first, and then hop in the shower with this body wash with glycolic acid, and don’t forget to lather on some lotion after! Pros

Cruelty-free Vegan Non-comedogenic Made with clean ingredients Alcohol-free and paraben-free Sulfate-free and phthalate-free

Cons

Might have a strong odor

4. Best Non-Greasy: ReTone Exfoliating Body Cleanser

ReTone’s glycolic acid exfoliating body wash cleanses away dead skin and rejuvenates it to make it healthy. It works to combat skin issues such as rough and bumpy skin, redness along with irritation and dryness by improving the texture and firmness of your skin barrier. One of the best body washes with glycolic acid, ReTone’s cleanser fades wrinkles, body breakouts, dark spots and stretch marks for smooth and supple skin. Pros

Free of parabens, retinoid, and phthalates Strengthens skin barrier Cruelty-free Non-greasy Pleasant smell Reduces signs of aging

Cons

Contains sulfates

5. Best Hypoallergenic: Mederma AG Advanced Dry Skin Therapy Body Cleanser

To retain your skin’s natural moisture, pick Mederma AG’s AHA body wash. This AHA glycolic body wash gently exfoliates skin to renew its top layer and also balances the overall pH level of the body. Mederma AG’s Body Cleanser amply moisturizes the skin to make it soft and supple, making it strong to keep free radicals and pollutants at bay. If you’ve been fearing trying out a new body wash due to irritation, fret not, as this one is sensitive to your skin condition. Pros

Dermatologist-recommended Non-comedogenic Hypoallergenic Soap-free Non-irritating

Cons

Contains fragrance

6. Best For Dry Skin: Keratone KP Body Wash

For relief from skin inflammation and keratosis pilaris symptoms like redness, dryness, rough and bumpy skin, Keratone’s 10% glycolic acid deeply penetrates the skin to soothe skin over time. With a host of skin-nourishing organic ingredients like apricot, jojoba, almond, aloe, gotu kola along with vitamin E, your skin is going to feel refreshed amply. Formulated without any harsh chemicals, this Keratone organic AHA body wash will give your skin new life. Pros

Paraben-free Ideal for dry skin and keratosis pilaris Made without petroleum, synthetic fragrances, glycols, and phthalates Contains organic hydrating oils Deep exfoliating properties

Cons

Contains sulfates

7. Best Gentle Formula: Karma Ceuticles AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser

This AHA BHA body wash by KarmaCeuticles is perfect for people with combination and oily skin. It deeply penetrates into the skin with the exfoliating properties of the AHA glycolic acid, which increases collagen production and skin cell turnover. Another star AHA, lactic acid, moisturizes skin and evens out texture, whereas salicylic acid, the BHA, battles acne, and soothes inflammation. For ample skin nourishment, this drugstore AHA body wash also contains jojoba beads that revitalize dead skin. All these star ingredients combine to make troubled skin calm and strengthen its barrier to fight off free radicals. We think this is the best AHA/BHA cleanser as you can use it even twice a day due to its gentle nature.. Pros

Non-drying Clarifies oily and combination skin Double the exfoliation with AHA and BHA Moisturizes skin Has a soothing effect Gentle formula

Cons

May cause purging the first few uses

8. Best Fragrance-Free: Luxiny Glycolic Acid Cleanser

Effectively sloughing away dry and dead skin, this affordable AHA body wash by Luxiny helps treat keratosis pilaris. The glycolic acid present in it deeply exfoliates skin and cleanses dirt and oils. You’ll notice a reduction in cystic acne, ingrown hairs, and blackheads. The Glycolic Acid Cleanser also fades acne blemishes and bumps to give you even-textured, firm skin. With the power of seaweed extract, your skin is going to plump up with all the fine lines and age spots on your facel becoming a disappearing act. All of this is achieved with the infusion of ingredients that your skin loves such as cucumber and loquat extracts, and a blend of nourishing oils like tea tree, rose hip, and jojoba. Notice a reduction in swelling, inflamed skin, and signs of aging, with regular use of this natural AHA body wash. Pros

Contains anti-aging benefits Non-comedogenic Fragrance-free Free from parabens, sulfates, GMOs, palm oil Vegan Cruelty-free

Cons

May have a watery consistency

9. Best For Exfoliation: Pyunkang Yul Low pH Mild Body Wash

From K-beauty’s most loved brand comes this strong AHA body wash with natural and medicinal ingredients. Owing to the low pH feature, this tea tree-scented cleanser adjusts to suit your skin and protects its moisture barrier. The natural surfactant cleanses the body gently without irritating or drying it out too much. Chinese skullcap and sea buckthorn extracts brighten up skin tone, giving it a healthy glow post exfoliation. With the power of a whopping 5 types of hyaluronic acid and ceramides, your skin will load up on moisture, whereas extracts of green tea, gotu kola, and Japanese honeysuckle provide relaxing benefits. Pros

Gently exfoliates skin Suited to sensitive and dry skin Lends a healthy glow Contains botanical ingredients Contains skin-soothing medicinal extracts Non-irritating and non-drying

Cons

May not lather well

10. Best For Deep Cleansing: SOMEBYMI AHA.BHA.PHA 30 Days Miracle Acne Clear Body Cleanser

This high-quality BHA salicylic acid cleanser clears out excess sebum and dead skin to purge skin of acne-causing bacteria. If you’ve been dealing with annoying body acne lately, make sure to give this salicylic acid body wash a try. There’s also eucalyptus that is rich in tannin and provides pore care while also controlling oil production. Truecica (filled with mugwort, centella asiatica, and tea tree), and chameleon plant extracts help tone down inflammation and irritation while strengthening the skin barrier. Watch this video for a thorough understanding of the product. Pros

Contains AHA, BHA, PHA for deep cleansing Controls oil and sebum to eliminate acne Contains calming ingredients Strengthens skin barrier Free of alcohol, parabens, sulfates, silicone Made without mineral oils, animal products, artificial colors or fragrances

Cons

May be a little too strong for some people

Now that we’ve looked at the best AHA body washes on the market, let’s get into how you can pick the right one before you add it to your cart!

How To Choose The Right AHA Body Wash

AHAs are generally marketed as being suitable for all skin types, but you need to take precautions if you have extremely dry or sensitive skin. Dry skin which is typically rough, flaky, and irritated can use glycolic or lactic acid with concentrations ranging between 5-10%. This helps exfoliate the dry, dead skin on the skin surface to make your skin texture smoother, and make the barrier better able to absorb topical skincare products. Along with this, also look for supporting ingredients like shea and cocoa butters, and aloe vera which help moisturize and smooth down rough, dry skin. While glycolic acid also gently helps exfoliate oily, acne-prone skin, mandelic acid is a better AHA for this skin type. It reduces oil and sebum production to clean congested pores and doesn’t dry out the skin. If you have combination skin, you can use almost any AHA as they help clear out pores, and help with dry patches. Milder AHAs like lactic and mandelic acids can help care for sensitive skin types without causing irritation. If aging skin is your concern, body washes formulated with malic, glycolic, or mandelic will suit mature skin better. All skin types, especially sensitive, should avoid products that contain fragrance as it can easily irritate and inflame skin. Other chemicals like sulfates, parabens, mineral oils, petrolatum, SLS, and GMOs must also be steered clear of.

How To Use An AHA Body Wash

Step 1: Wet a soft loofah or sponge, and make sure its surface is not harsh as this can irritate the skin surface. Step 2: Pour some of your AHA body wash of choice and work up a lather. Step 3: Lightly scrub all over the body, covering hard-to-reach areas like your back. Step 4: Rinse off with warm water. Step 5: Gently dry yourself off with a towel without rubbing too hard. Step 6: Generously apply a thick moisturizer suited to your skin type.

When you’re starting out with AHAs, incorporate them gradually into your routine by using them once a week. If your skin doesn’t react harshly, build this up to 2 or 3 times a week.

Why Trust StyleCraze?

The author of this article, Kirtana Divakar, is a skin care enthusiast. She has curated the list of the best AHA body washes after reviewing user feedback on multiple online forums and brand websites. These products are formulated with active ingredients and have gentle exfoliating properties. The infographic below lists the benefits and side effects of AHAs and guides you on how to use them safely. Check it out! What does AHA do for skin? Alpha hydroxy acids are soluble in water and they exfoliate skin to get rid of surface dead cells, and allow newer skin to come through. They also help in fading hyperpigmentation and control acne. Can I use AHA body wash everyday? Some AHA body washes are gentle enough to be used everyday but if you’re a beginner to actives, it’s best to take it slow. Begin by using the product once a week and if your skin responds well, slowly build it up to a level that can be tolerated. How often should I use AHA body wash? AHAs are active acids that can cause a skin reaction like irritation if you’re new to them, so use them once or twice a week in the beginning, and then increase the usage. Do AHAs cause hyperpigmentation? Even though AHAs target hyperpigmentation, they can cause some tears in the skin as they exfoliate it. This may lead to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. It is best to use AHA body washes sparingly, a few times a week for this reason. What should you not use with AHA? It is best to avoid products with vitamin C, retinol, or benzoyl peroxide after using AHA.

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