What do alpha hydroxy acids do?

The benefits of alpha hydroxy acid lotions are countless! Like little soldiers, they gently exfoliate dead skin cells and unclog pores, followed by moisturizing and soothing the skin. They also aid in cell renewal, increase collagen production, and fight hyperpigmentation, making them great for reducing aging signs. And to top it all, they are safe and suitable for sensitive skin too! So, if you are dealing with dry, dull, damaged, or problematic skin, you should give the best alpha hydroxy acids lotion a try! Here we have rounded up the 11 best alpha hydroxy lotions of 2022 for you.

Exfoliate And Glow With 11 Best Alpha Hydroxy Acid Lotions Of 2022

1. Best All-Day Hydration: Alba Botanica Very Emollient Body Lotion

With this botanical booster, erase the white lines, eliminate dead cells, and curb the dryness! A clinically tested and intense moisture solution, it contains aloe vera, chamomile, shea butter, and green tea to nourish your skin from the core. More like a blend of healthy juices and oils, your skin can also enjoy the benefits of avocado oil, jojoba oil, grape seed oil, cucumber fruit, and lavender extract with every use. Intensely hydrating, rich, and pH balanced, this alpha hydroxy acid body lotion is free from parabens, phthalates, sulfates, artificial colors, and artificial fragrances. Pros

Unscented Non-greasy Hypoallergenic All-day hydration Cruelty-free Works best for sensitive, normal, dry, severely dry skin

Cons

Slightly thick consistency May not absorb instantly

2. Best For All Skin Types: Alpha Skin Care Renewal Body Lotion

Did you know dryness and environmental stressors can quicken aging lines? But not if you have this AHA blend in your routine. This body lotion is infused with 12% glycolic alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) to combat early aging lines. Derived from natural sugar (sugarcane), it gently exfoliates the dead skin cells, stimulates collagen production, combats dryness and sunburns to restore your youthful glow. Soft, smooth, and radiant skin, anyone? Pros

Toned skin Cruelty-free Paraben-free Fragrance-free Gentle with a pH level of 4 Suitable for all skin types

Cons

Oily skin may turn slightly greasy

3. Best Allergy-Tested: Neutrogena Healthy Skin Face Lotion – SPF 15

  The countless benefits of this face lotion need your attention if you are dealing with hyperpigmentation, dark spots, fine lines, and early signs of aging. Powered with broad-spectrum SPF 15 for sun protection, the cream also has pro-vitamin B-5, vitamin C, E, and alpha hydroxy acid to tone, nourish and soften the skin. Also, a fantastic choice for dull, damaged, and sun-damaged skin, this quick-absorbing, and dermatologist-recommended lotion will restore glowing skin and prevent early aging of the skin. Learn more about the Neutrogena Healthy Skin Face Lotion – SPF 15 in this video. Pros

Oil-free Non-greasy Alcohol-free Allergy-tested Non-comedogenic Suitable for sensitive skin

Cons

Contains parabens Slightly greasy

4. Best UV Protection: Derma E Overnight Peel

While you sleep, this gentle exfoliator will work hard to retexturize and tone your skin overnight. Wake up to naturally glowing skin with this rejuvenating and plant-derived blend. It exfoliates dark spots, dead skin cells, age spots, and blemishes with 5% alpha hydroxy acid and lactic acid. If your skin is damaged or fighting dryness, the infused jojoba seed oil, green tea, and vitamin C will work toward renewing, restoring, and nourishing your skin to its optimal health. Just what you need to peel away the dullness and bring back your natural radiance, this blend is also free from parabens, mineral oil, gluten, sulfates, GMOs, and more. Take a look at this video for a detailed review of the Derma E Overnight Peel. Pros

Vegan Cruelty-free No redness Skin-brightening Non-abrasive blend UV damage protection

Cons

May sting slightly on sensitive skin

5. Best Gentle: Touch Keratosis Pilaris Exfoliating Lotion

  Fight keratosis pilaris with this exfoliating lotion infused with 12% glycolic acid (AHA) and 2% salicylic acid (BHA). Although keratosis pilaris has no cure, this lotion will penetrate the skin to reduce redness, bumps, and discoloration to a great extent! Apply it generously to tone skin and restore smoothness over time. Besides this, it will also exfoliate pores, prevent acne, and moisturize intensely with aloe vera, vitamin E, and glycine soja oil. And the best part— it’s free from parabens, sulfates, alcohol, dyes, and phthalates. Pros

Silky skin Non-greasy Ultra-hydrating Gentle with a pH level of 4 Suitable for all skin types

Cons

The scent may be overpowering for some.

6. Best Fragrance-Free: AmLactin Rapid Relief Restoring Lotion

  For skin as dry as a desert, this alpha hydroxy acid body lotion will provide 24-hour relief! With naturally-derived 15% lactic acid (AHA) and 3 ceramides, this skin-hydrating blend will boost and lock in moisture while also exfoliating gently and improving optimal health and radiance of the skin. A fantastic choice for ashy, flaky, and severely dry skin, this dermatologist-recommended blend will also tone skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Pros

Non-greasy Paraben-free Fragrance-free Softens skin Guarantees instant results

Cons

Slightly sticky

7. Best Dermatologist-Recommended: DRMTLGY Exfoliating Body Lotion

  Are you using multiple skincare products to fight severe dryness or keratosis pilaris? You can now do it with one! With the power to exfoliate, moisturize, and fight aging signs, this body lotion by DRMTLGY ensures 24-hour hydration. Infused with 12% lactic acid, it exfoliates dead skin cells, removes debris, and moisturizes intensely to repair flaky, bumpy, and inflamed skin. It also contains nopal cactus, soybean oil, apple fruit extract, sunflower seed oil, vitamin E, and other peptides to pamper and hydrate skin. And that’s not all; it reduces aging signs and is free from toxins such as parabens, sulfates, gluten, hormones, formaldehyde, and more. Pros

Cruelty-free Softens skin Rehydrates dry patches Dermatologist-recommended

Cons

Not suitable for sensitive skin

8. Best Winter-Friendly: Major Ammonium Lactate Moisturizing Lotion

  Is itchiness keeping you up at night? Or are you dealing with eczema or severely dry skin? This moisturizing lotion will soothe, nourish, and repair with its 12% ammonium lactate blend. Be it rough skin, acne, wrinkles, fine lines, or flaky skin, consider it taken care of with every use. Suitable for all skin types, even sensitive, this face lotion is free from harmful chemicals such as soy, gluten, lanolin, dye, nickel, and more. Pros

Winter-friendly Hypoallergenic Fragrance-free

Cons

May not absorb quickly

9. Best Fast-Absorbing: Perfect Image Gly + Sal Exfoliating Body Lotion

  If you don’t mind loosening the purse strings a little, this premium product has an all-natural AHA-BHA therapy for your skin! The infused glycolic acid and salicylic acid exfoliate dead skin cells, stimulate collagen, increase cell turnover, and unclogs pores to encourage toned and younger-looking skin. It contains skin-loving ingredients such as cucumber extract for tightening and reducing inflammation and tea tree oil to prevent breakouts. The formula also heals, repairs, and soothes with chamomile, green tea, and comfrey extracts. In addition, it nourishes and pampers skin intensely with licorice, pumpkin, papaya, pineapple, and bearberry. And bonus, the body lotion is free from toxic ingredients such as parabens, sulfates, SLS, phthalates, and gluten. Pros

Cruelty-free Ultra-light Fast-absorbing Anti-aging formula Maximum hydration Suitable for face and body Gentle with pH level 3.1-3.5

Cons

Slightly expensive

10. Best Non-Irritating: Derma Therapy Alpha Hydroxy Lotion

  Drench your skin in the ultra-moisturizing blend of Derma Therapy. With 10% urea, this skin-repairing lotion aids skin cells in absorbing and retaining moisture to fight the dryness from within. And as for your youthful glow, the infused 10% alpha hydroxy acid exfoliates dead skin cells to reveal new, more elastic, and younger-looking skin. The therapeutic formula also contains silk proteins to boost your skin’s softness, silkiness, and glow. Give it a try if you have rough, dry, or problematic skin. Pros

Non-greasy Non-irritating Fragrance-free Cruelty-free

Cons

Expensive

11. Best Non-Greasy: Archipelago Botanicals Coconut Lotion

  How about something exotic and zesty to fight dryness and restore your glow? Infused with coconut and jojoba esters, the lotion will hydrate, soothe, and pamper your skin intensely. It also contains shea butter, aloe vera, vitamin E, oat protein, green tea, Kakadu plum, grape seed extract, and sunflower seed oil for moisturizing benefits. And as for redness and dryness, leave it to alpha hydroxy acid to heal and repair! Leaving your skin smooth, soft, and smelling fresh with the infused lemon verbena, coconut water, and citrus, the lotion is free from toxic chemicals such as parabens, gluten, phthalates, and artificial colors. Pros

Vegan Non-GMO Cruelty-free Non-greasy Suitable for daily use

Cons

Slightly expensive Not suitable if you are sensitive to smell

So long, dead skin cells! Restore your natural and beautiful radiance with one of the 11 best alpha hydroxy acid lotions for you. Still, wondering how to pick the best face or body lotion with alpha hydroxy acids? We have some tips for you in our buying guide below.

How to Choose the Best Alpha Hydroxy Acid Lotion?

Look out for the following features in the alpha hydroxy acid peels before buying:

Identify types of AHAs:

There are different kinds of AHAs, such as glycolic acid, lactic acid, citric acid, and more. You must choose a lotion depending on the type of exfoliation you need. Glycolic acid is the strongest of all and is ideal for intense exfoliation but can irritate sensitive skin. Lactic acid is slightly gentler than glycolic acid as it is derived from milk. It is suitable for sensitive skin and all other skin types.

Soothing ingredients:

Besides looking for AHAs, check the moisturizing ingredients infused in the blend for nourishing the skin after exfoliation. If you have oily skin, pick the one with water or gel based ingredients such as aloe vera, coconut water, cucumber, etc. However, if you have severely dry skin, oil-based moisturizing cream and lotions will suffice.

Stay power:

Unless you enjoy re-applying lotion, pick an alpha hydroxy acid lotion that is long-lasting and ensures all-day hydration. For example, AmLactin Rapid Relief Restoring Lotion and DRMTLGY Exfoliating Body Lotion both guarantee 24-hour relief.

Ingredients to avoid:

Choose all-natural, organic, and vegan products over toxic chemicals for maximum benefits. Avoid products with harmful ingredients such as parabens, sulfates, phthalates, silicones, mineral oil, formaldehyde, and more. With that, we bet you’ll end up with the best alpha hydroxy acid lotion of 2022! AHA lotions and peels can make your skin appear healthier, younger-looking, and clearer than before. Unlike other grainy exfoliators, these lotions with alpha hydroxy acid are exfoliating, moisturizing, and fight other skin conditions, all in one go. More like a one-stop savior for all your skin woes and to restore your natural radiance, these lotions will make you fall in love with your skin all over again. Now, what are you waiting for? With the 11 best alpha hydroxy acid lotions for all skin types on our list, add one to your skincare routine today!

Why Trust StyleCraze?

Our writer Kirtana Divakar is a skincare and make-up enthusiast. She brings you this list of the best alpha hydroxy lotions to help you take care of your skin better. Alpha hydroxy acids or AHAs are a blessing for skin types that are prone to hyperpigmentation or acne. This list of products is prepared after careful research and consideration of the product’s constituents, benefits, and efficiency. Is alpha hydroxy acid good for your skin? Absolutely! AHA lotions are gentle exfoliators that eliminate dead skin cells, moisturize intensely and fight various other skin conditions all in one go. And since they are mild, they are suitable for sensitive skin too. Does alpha hydroxy acid lighten skin? Yes, to an extent. Since AHA lotions are exfoliators, they’ll gently eliminate dead skin cells and encourage the emergence of newer, clear, and healthy-looking skin. It will not only lighten dark spots but also sun spots, age spots, and hyperpigmentation. How often should you use alpha hydroxy acid? Once in 7-10 days, but this may vary from one person to another. If your skin can take the lotion well, you can increase the application in a week. However, to be safe, you must consult your dermatologist, especially if you have sensitive skin. Is alpha hydroxy acid good for sensitive skin? Absolutely! AHA lotions with lactic acid are safe for sensitive skin. Lactic acid is derived from milk and is gentler than glycolic acid, thus a safe option for sensitive skin.

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