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L'Oreal 3.5% Pure Glycolic Acid Cleansing Gel.

L'Oreal 3.5% Pure Glycolic Acid Cleansing Gel
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Cleansers
About this product

A gel cleanser formulated with 3.5% glycolic acid and salicylic acid to gently exfoliate and cleanse the skin.

More from L'Oreal 67 products · Guru Score 87% →

Guru Score

87%

Yay

Early verdict · Few reviews so far

What the gurus are saying

This cleanser's gentle glycolic acid strength makes it an ideal starting point for anyone new to exfoliating acids or with sensitive skin. Because it's a wash-off formula, the acids spend less time on skin than leave-on treatments, which means gentler exfoliation with less risk of irritation. The Budget Dermatologist repeatedly recommends it for daily use and especially praises the transparent labeling of the 3.5% concentration, which helps you know exactly what strength you're getting. Using it before vitamin C serums may also help lower skin pH and improve absorption. At under $10, it's an unusually affordable option in a dermatologist's rotation.
Synthesized from 2 expert reviews · most recent take July 2026

What they liked

  • Gentle entry point for glycolic acid
  • Preps skin for vitamin C absorption
  • Affordable at under $10

What they flagged

    Nothing. None of the experts who reviewed it raised a problem.

    Type

    CleansersGel

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    What the gurus are saying.

    Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

    All takes Yay takes Nay takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored
    The Budget Dermatologist
    The Budget Dermatologist
    724k subs
    ✓Yay
    "I love this option if you've never tried glycolic acid before or you have sensitive skin. Using a wash off form of it, like a cleanser, can help decrease your irritation and get your skin used to it before you go all in with a leave-on product. 3.5% is a good entry-level glycolic acid. This is going to give you more of the exfoliation benefits, less likely to give you the anti-aging benefits where it's penetrating into the dermis more because of less contact time on the skin."
    Top Pick: budget anti-aging cleanser
    All 8 takes from The Budget Dermatologist
    UPDATED Vitamin C Skincare Routine | Vitamin C HACK Part 2!
    "This one by L'Oreal is a 3.5% Pure Glycolic Acid Cleansing Gel. It's less than $8, almost always on Amazon you can always get it on sale. This is going to help not only smooth the skin and prepare it for vitamin C to absorb better but it lowers the pH of your skin as well. Again, a lower pH is where vitamin C has the most optimal absorption. [...] This is my favorite budget cleanser for anti-aging routines and to prepare your skin for step two."
    How To Incorporate Glycolic Acid Into Your Anti-aging Routine! + Budget Product Recommendations
    "I love this option if you've never tried glycolic acid before or you have sensitive skin. Using a wash off form of it, like a cleanser, can help decrease your irritation and get your skin used to it before you go all in with a leave-on product. 3.5% is a good entry-level glycolic acid. This is going to give you more of the exfoliation benefits, less likely to give you the anti-aging benefits where it's penetrating into the dermis more because of less contact time on the skin."
    5 Ways to Use Alpha Hydroxy Acids In Your Skincare Routine | Anti-aging and Glowing Skin Tips
    "The L'Oreal 3.5% Pure Glycolic Acid Cleanser [...] is gentle, effective, and great for beginners or someone who wants to use this cleanser daily without irritation. It also has salicylic acid in it. This is the most affordable option I recommend, and it's under 10 dollars."
    The BEST Anti-aging Cleanser UNDER $10 | The Budget Dermatologist Reviews!
    "I love to recommend this cleanser to use before you apply a serum like vitamin C in the morning because this cleanser containing glycolic acid should help lower the pH of the skin which makes your vitamin C absorb more and work more effectively. It is one of the most affordable products in my entire skincare collection and a total holy grail for me."
    7 Reasons You NEED An Alpha Hydroxy Acid In Your Routine! | The Budget Dermatologist
    "My top affordable recommendation is L'Oreal Pure Glycolic Cleanser. This has 3.5 glycolic acid in it and it has salicylic acid in it too. This one is amazing for daily use."
    Two Ingredients You MUST Pair! | Skincare Made Simple by The Budget Dermatologist
    "My number one budget pick is by L'Oreal, the 3.5 glycolic acid cleansing gel. Definitely my go-to for very sensitive skin patients. This does contain salicylic acid as well, and I think this is a great gentle and effective option, and yes, this one is super affordable."
    How To Get Glowing Skin | Anti-aging Tip by The Budget Dermatologist
    "The L'Oreal 3.5 glycolic cleanser also has salicylic acid in the ingredients list. This is usually my go-to budget recommendation because I think this is so effective and I especially love that it discloses what percentage of glycolic acid is in this product, which really helps you the consumer decide if this strength is right for you. You cannot go wrong with this product."
    SHOP WITH ME! 3 Drugstore Anti-aging Must Haves | The Budget Dermatologist
    "My top drugstore cleanser for a gentle exfoliation and restoring that glow is L'Oreal Glycolic Cleanser. It has both glycolic and salicylic acid in it. I love this one because it has the percentage of glycolic acid in it so we know what we are getting. This is incredibly affordable and I can see me talk about this one in so many of my other videos and on Instagram as well."
    Dr Dray
    Dr Dray
    2.69M subs
    ✓Yay
    "If you use a vitamin C serum, one way to improve penetration is to wash your face first with a glycolic or salicylic acid face wash. [...] This product has salicylic acid in it and also has menthol, which is fragrance and will cause a little bit of a tingle."

    Frequently asked.

    What is L'Oreal 3.5% Pure Glycolic Acid Cleansing Gel?

    A gel cleanser formulated with 3.5% glycolic acid and salicylic acid to gently exfoliate and cleanse the skin.

    Is L'Oreal 3.5% Pure Glycolic Acid Cleansing Gel worth it?

    Yes. All 2 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 87%.

    What is L'Oreal 3.5% Pure Glycolic Acid Cleansing Gel's Guru Score?

    L'Oreal 3.5% Pure Glycolic Acid Cleansing Gel holds a Guru Score of 87%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 2 expert reviewers we have collected. At least one expert has named it a Top Pick in its category.

    Who is L'Oreal 3.5% Pure Glycolic Acid Cleansing Gel best for?

    L'Oreal 3.5% Pure Glycolic Acid Cleansing Gel is generally suited to oily skin and acne-prone skin.

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