Final Up to date on September 3, 2026 by Giorgia Guazzarotti
I like a cleanser that does somewhat extra than simply wash my face, and ACURE Resurfacing Glycolic & Unicorn Root Cleanser guarantees that. You’ve acquired 1% glycolic acid for exfoliation, a bunch of plant extracts and, after all, one thing referred to as unicorn root (as a result of apparently glycolic acid wasn’t thrilling sufficient by itself). However the ingredient listing is one factor. What I actually need to know is, can 1% glycolic acid in a foam cleanser exfoliate pores and skin? Does it depart your face trying smoother and brighter, or are you principally paying for a really cute title? On this overview, I’ll let you know what you may count on from glycolic acid cleansers, what pores and skin varieties that is appropriate for and whether or not it’s best to add this to your skincare routine.
Key Components in ACURE Resurfacing Glycolic & Unicorn Root Cleanser: What Makes It Work?
SURFACTANTS
Surfactants are mainly the elements that wash your face. They seize onto oil, grime, sunscreen and make-up so all that stuff will be rinsed away with water. There are two on this cleanser:
GLYCOLIC ACID
Glycolic acid, a member of the AHAs household, is an exfoliant that eliminates the useless pores and skin cells hanging round on the floor of your pores and skin. It mainly helps unstick them from one another so they arrive off extra simply, leaving your pores and skin smoother and brighter and serving to fade darkish spots over time.
The catch? There’s solely 1% glycolic acid on this cleanser. And that’s an issue. Two, really. First, glycolic acid needs to be on the skin for hours to work. In a rinse-off cleanser, it will get washed down the drain. Plus, 1% is nothing. It’s too low to present you outcomes even when left on the pores and skin. My guess is that Acure gave you so little to make it protected for every day use. We all know that exfoliating too typically causes all types of points, like irritation and dryness. This shouldn’t. However then, it doesn’t actually exfoliate.
Associated: The Complete Guide To Glycolic Acid In Skincare
Efficiency & Private Opinion
The ACURE Resurfacing Glycolic & Unicorn Root Cleanser is thick. Like, actually thick. Straight out of the tube, it feels extra like a cream than your standard face wash. Add some water and it thins out, will get good and slippery and works up a bit of froth, so you may simply therapeutic massage it throughout your face. You don’t want a lot both, which is at all times a bonus.
The scent is fairly delicate and somewhat natural. It’s there, but it surely’s not a kind of cleansers you may nonetheless odor in your face ten minutes later. Utilizing it couldn’t be simpler. Moist your face, squeeze somewhat out of the tube, therapeutic massage it round and rinse. Carried out. The tube is primary, but it surely does the job and, as a result of the cleanser is so thick, you’re not by accident pouring half of it into your hand.
It will get your face correctly clear and leaves it feeling easy, though it will possibly depart that barely tight, “yep, I positively simply washed my face“ feeling. And the exfoliation? Don’t get too excited. I didn’t discover any actual distinction in darkish spots, brightness or uneven texture. And admittedly I didn’t count on it to. This as a cleanser with a tiny facet of glycolic acid, not an exfoliating remedy.
Worth & Availability
$13.99 at Acure
Who Ought to Use This?
- Obtained oily or mixture pores and skin? You’ll in all probability get together with this one. It foams up sufficient to do away with that greasy feeling with out being a kind of face washes that makes you need to run for the moisturiser the second you rinse it off.
- Regular pores and skin ought to be high-quality with it too, particularly for those who favor a cleanser that leaves your face feeling correctly clear quite than creamy or moisturised.
- In case your pores and skin is dry, although, I’d give it a miss. It could depart pores and skin feeling somewhat tight, and dry pores and skin actually doesn’t want any assist in that division.
- And I’d watch out in case you have delicate pores and skin too. There’s only one% glycolic acid, however you’ve additionally acquired citrus oils within the components, which delicate pores and skin will not be too glad about.
The Verdict: Ought to You Purchase It?
It’s a good cleanser, however I wouldn’t purchase it for the glycolic acid. It does job of getting your face clear and makes probably the most sense for shiny or mixture pores and skin, however that 1% glycolic acid isn’t sufficient to show it into a correct exfoliant. When you simply need a cleanser that washes away oil and dirt and leaves your pores and skin feeling easy, it does the job. When you’re shopping for it to fade darkish spots, brighten uninteresting pores and skin or easy uneven texture, save your cash and get a leave-on glycolic acid product as a substitute.
Water (Eau), Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Glyceryl Oleate, Decyl Glucoside, Glycolic Acid, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Aletris Farinosa Root Extract, Rubus Fruticosus (Blackberry) Fruit Extract*, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract*, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract*, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract*, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract*, Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract*, Punica Granatum Extract*, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil*, Amethyst Extract, Hashish Sativa Seed Oil, Lactic Acid, Jojoba Esters, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Levulinate, Disodium Coco-Glucoside Citrate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Propanediol, Sodium Phytate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide
