With temperatures rising and summer on its way, limbs are starting to emerge from beneath their layers and return to the public eye. While a gritty body scrub is a satisfying—and effective—way to slough off dead skin cells, one of the best ways to ensure smooth skin all year round is an exfoliating acid body wash.
The best exfoliating acid body washes contain alpha- and/or beta-hydroxy acids (AHAs and BHA), which work to chemically exfoliate the skin as they cleanse. In addition to ensuring smoother skin over time, they also aid in treating keratosis pilaris and body acne, as well as prevent ingrown hairs.
The key benefit to using an exfoliating acid body wash is that it’s a zero effort skincare move — rather than adding in a new skincare step (such as a scrub), you’re simply subbing your regular body wash for one with AHAs or BHA. The other benefit is that they work over an extended period of time and are gentle enough to use daily, meaning there’s no chance of overscrubbing and ending up with red, raw, irritated skin.
As for which group of acids to pick? Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs)—these include glycolic and lactic acids—are water soluble and work on the surface layer of the skin, making them best for those dealing with dry, rough skin and/or keratosis pilaris. Meanwhile, beta-hydroxy acid (BHA)—i.e. salicylic acid—is oil-soluble and penetrates beneath the epidermis, clearing out excess sebum from pores; this makes it useful for addressing body acne and breakouts.
Here, we’ve put together the best funky little exfoliating acid body washes for every skin concern. Pairing AHAs and/or BHA with soothing ingredients, they’re suitable for daily use and contain soothing ingredients that work to preemptively mitigate any potential irritation.
1. Naturium
This fragrance-free exfoliating body wash contains a combination of glycolic, lactic, pyruvic, and tartaric acids within a creamy formula that sloughs off dead skin cells without causing irritation. It also contains cationic conditioning polymers and red algae which form a protective film that locks moisture into the skin and is gentle enough to be used as a facial cleanser.
Price: $32AUD
Acid type: 5% glycolic acid, lactic acid, pyruvic acid, tartaric acid (percentages unspecified)
2. Billie Exfoliate Body Wash
Combining chemical exfoliation from glycolic acid with almost imperceptible physical exfoliation courtesy of sea salt, the Billie Exfoliate Body Wash is a thick gel formula that cleanses and exfoliates in a single step, leaving behind a subtle rose, jasmine, and sea salt scent.
Price: $8USD
Acid type: glycolic acid (percentage unspecified)
3. Frank Body Clearing Body Wash
Designed with acne-prone skin in mind, the Frank Body Clearing Body Wash uses salicylic acid to clear pores of excess oil and reduce the occurrence of blackheads, whiteheads, and acne on the body. It’s also got aloe vera, Kakadu plum, and coffee seed extract which work to soothe, hydrate, and brighten the skin.
Price: $14AUD
Acid type: salicylic acid (percentage unspecified)
4. Frank Body Triple Acid Wash
A truly funky exfoliating acid body wash from Frank Body, the Triple Acid Wash teams glycolic and lactic acids with gluconolactone (a polyhydroxy acid with a high molecular size) to ensure a multi-level exfoliation that breaks down dead skin cells and treats keratosis pilaris and any stubborn bumps on the skin.
Price: $32AUD
Acid type: glycolic acid, lactic acid, gluconolactone (percentages unspecified)
5. Kosas Good Body Skin AHA + Enzyme Exfoliating Body Wash
A blend of glycolic, lactic, and mandelic acids meets gentle fruit enzymes which unclog pores, reduce breakouts, and even out skin tone and texture, while allantoin conditions and softens the skin.
Price: $38AUD
Acid type: glycolic acid, lactic acid, mandelic acid
6. Epzen Smooth Mover Clearing Body Wash
Naturally derived AHAs and salicylic acid come together in this budget-friendly body wash which gently exfoliates while aloe vera extract comforts the skin.
Price: $13AUD
Acid type: salicylic acid, AHA complex of lemon, orange, and sugarcane extracts (percentages unspecified)
7. Nécessaire The Body Wash Hinoki
A powerful trio of multi-level AHAs, BHA, and PHA join forces with niacinamide to create an exfoliating acid body wash that smoothens skin and strengthens the skin’s protective barrier as it cleanses. Infused with pure Japanese hinoki essential oil, as well as vetiver, basil, and magnolia, it has a soothing forestial woody scent that calms the mind and lingers on the skin post-shower.
Price: from $48AUD
Acid type: lactic acid, glycolic acid, mandelic acid, salicylic acid, gluconolactone
8. Mario Badescu AHA Botanical Body Soap
While best known for its facial mists, Mario Badescu also makes a solid, decently priced exfoliating acid body wash. The Mario Badescu AHA Botanical Body Soap pairs glycolic acid and grapefruit—a natural source of citric acid, malic acid, and tartaric acid—with energizing ginseng to exfoliate the skin and boost circulation.
Price: $16AUD
Acid type: glycolic acid, fruit enzymes (percentages unspecified)
Words by Arabella Johnson
Feature image courtesy of Deborah Turbeville
