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Paula's Choice AHA Skincare: Revitalise Your Skin

Dull skin. Rough texture. Uneven tone that no moisturizer will fix on its own. 

These are the visible signs of dead skin accumulating on the surface faster than it sheds.

Glycolic acid, a type of alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), dissolves the bonds holding those dead skin cells together. Promotes cell turnover. Fresher, smoother skin is revealed underneath.

Every Paula's Choice AHA formula in this collection is fragrance-free, pH-optimised for effective exfoliation (3.5 to 3.9), and clinically tested to be non-irritating. Research-backed and cruelty-free — with local delivery in Singapore.

What Is Glycolic Acid — And Why Does It Work?

Glycolic acid is a water-soluble AHA derived from sugarcane. It has the smallest molecular size of all alpha hydroxy acids, which is what allows it to exfoliate the skin's surface effectively.

Unlike physical scrubs that scratch the skin, glycolic acid dissolves the bonds holding dead skin cells together. This speeds up natural cell turnover — a process that slows from your mid-twenties onward — and uncovers the fresher skin underneath.

In other words, glycolic acid works like a chemical exfoliator that clears away the layer of dead skin and reveals newer skin underneath without harsh scrubbing.

At a pH of 3.5 to 3.9, glycolic acid visibly:

• Smooths rough, uneven texture

• Brightens dull, tired-looking skin

• Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

• Fades post-sun discolouration and uneven tone

• Improves bumpy skin on the face and body

• Helps skin hold moisture more effectively

Glycolic acid works on the skin's surface. That makes it the right tool for dullness, texture, and visible aging.

If clogged pores or blackheads are your main concern, BHA (salicylic acid) works inside the pore, where glycolic acid cannot reach. 

Many people in Singapore use both.

Why Glycolic Acid Is Particularly Relevant In Singapore

Two things happen to skin in Singapore that glycolic acid helps with directly.

Sun damage happens all year round.

Singapore sits close to the equator, which means UV exposure is high almost every day. Over time, this can lead to uneven skin tone, rough texture, dullness, and visible signs of aging. Glycolic acid exfoliates the surface of the skin where the visible effects of sun exposure often appear, helping skin look smoother and brighter over time.

Surface dullness builds up every day. 

Heat, humidity, sunscreen use, and pollution layer debris on the skin's surface. This build-up on the surface of your skin makes it look flat and uneven. 

Glycolic acid helps clear it, leaving skin noticeably more radiant with each use.

Paula's Choice AHA Products — Shop By Skin Concern

Not sure which AHA exfoliant is right for you? 

Here is what works for the most common skin concerns in Singapore.

Glycolic Acid Concentration Guide — Which Percentage Is Right for You?

The right concentration depends on your skin's current tolerance — not how many concerns you want to solve at once.

5% AHA — New to AHAs or sensitive skin

The gentlest starting point. Ideal for skin that is new to AHAs or easily irritated. Provides effective surface exfoliation without overwhelming the skin barrier. 

The Daily Smoothing Treatment 5% AHA suits normal to dry skin and works well for building tolerance gradually.

8% AHA — Regular daily use

This is the concentration most people can use regularly. Strong enough to improve texture, dullness, and early fine lines while still being suitable for daily use on most skin types. 

Available in two formats: the 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant for a lightweight finish, or the 8% AHA Lotion Exfoliant for added hydration.

10% AHA — More visible results, and body use

Works well for skin already comfortable with AHAs. Delivers more noticeable smoothing and brightening results.

The Skin Revealing Body Lotion 10% AHA is formulated for the body, where skin is thicker and more tolerant. For facial use, the Advanced Smoothing Treatment 10% AHA combines multiple acids for more advanced exfoliation.

25% AHA — Weekly rinse-off peel for experienced users

This is a weekly rinse-off peel and not a leave-on exfoliant. 

The 25% AHA blend targets uneven tone, fine lines, and rough texture at the surface, while 2% BHA works deeper inside the pore. Use once weekly at most and rinse off after ten minutes. 

Intended for experienced AHA or BHA users only.

How To Use AHA In Your Skincare Routine

Step-by-step application order (leave-on AHA exfoliants):

1. Cleanse with a gentle, water-soluble cleanser.

2. Apply your AHA leave-on exfoliant to clean, dry skin using clean fingers or a cotton pad. Do not rinse off.

3. Wait 1 to 2 minutes.

4. Apply serum or moisturizer as needed.

5. For daytime use, always follow with a broad-spectrum sunscreen rated SPF 30 or greater.

For the 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel (rinse-off only):

Apply a generous amount to clean, dry skin once a week. Leave on for ten minutes, then rinse with warm water. 

Do not use it alongside other exfoliants.

How Often To Use AHA

• If you are new to AHA exfoliants: Start 2 to 3 times per week, in the evening. Assess how your skin responds over 2 to 4 weeks before increasing frequency.

• Once your skin has adjusted: Most people can use a 5% or 8% glycolic acid exfoliant daily or every other day. Use in the evening if your skin is reactive; morning use is fine for tolerant skin if you follow immediately with SPF.

• At 10% concentration: Start at 2 to 3 times per week on the face. For body use, the 10% AHA lotion can be used daily as your regular moisturizer for that area.

• The 25% peel: Use no more than once per week. Do not use it on the same day as any other exfoliant.

What To Pair With AHA — And What To Avoid

Not All AHA Acids Are The Same

Glycolic acid is the most studied AHA and delivers the most noticeable results. 

Two other AHAs appear in specific formulas across this range:

• Mandelic acid and lactic acid

• Malic and tartaric acid

Mandelic acid exfoliates more slowly and carries a lower risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation — making the 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant a gentler,  right choice for reactive skin or deeper skin tones.

Malic and tartaric acid appear in the multi-acid formulas — the Advanced Smoothing Treatment 10% AHA and the 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel. They work alongside glycolic acid to target uneven texture and tone through a blend of exfoliating acids.  

If glycolic acid has irritated your skin before, start with the mandelic and lactic acid formula rather than a lower-percentage glycolic product.

Glycolic Acid vs Salicylic Acid — AHA vs BHA

Both are chemical exfoliants. The difference is where they work.

If dullness, uneven tone, rough texture, or visible signs of aging are your main concern, start with AHA.

If your skin is congested, prone to blackheads, or breaking out regularly, BHA is the more targeted tool. 

Many people in Singapore use both in separate routines. 

Browse the full BHA salicylic acid collection.

Paula's Choice AHA Range — Why Formulation Matters

Concentration alone does not determine whether a glycolic acid product works. pH does.

Glycolic acid must sit at a pH of 3.5 to 3.9 to exfoliate effectively. Many AHA products on the market sit above this range — the ingredient is listed, but it cannot do its job. Paula's Choice AHA exfoliants are formulated and tested within this range.

Every formula is also:

• Fragrance-free — No added fragrance, the leading cause of skin sensitisation

• Clinically tested to be non-irritating

• Formulated without parabens or drying alcohols

Leave-on exfoliants form the core of the range. Glycolic acid works better left on the skin than rinsed off — it needs time to encourage cell turnover.

The 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel is the only rinse-off option. Used once a week, it exfoliates surface build-up and clears inside the pores at the same time. For experienced exfoliant users.

The Skin Revealing Body Lotion 10% AHA is built for the neck down, where skin is thicker, tolerates more, and a rough or bumpy texture is most persistent.