The Standard · Glycolic Acid Body Care
The six-marker standard for a glycolic acid body lotion
A simple way to judge any AHA body lotion, including ours, on what actually decides results rather than the claim on the front of the bottle.
The six-marker standard judges a glycolic acid body lotion on six measurable markers rather than marketing: a named concentration of 10 to 15 per cent for body skin; a working pH around 3.5 to 4.0 so the acid stays active; barrier support such as urea and niacinamide; a fragrance-free base for frequent use over large areas; a clearly defined exfoliation mechanism rather than vague smoothing; and traceable manufacture, for example made in Australia. If a product meets all six, it is built to work. If it is missing one, that is usually why it disappoints.
Most people choose a body lotion on the strength of a claim, the size of a number, or a photograph. None of those tell you whether the acid will actually change your skin. The six markers below do, because each one is measurable and stated plainly on a competent product page. Learn them once, and you can judge any AHA body lotion in under a minute, ours included.
The six markers, in words
- Named concentration. A stated, clinically meaningful amount, commonly 10 to 15 per cent glycolic acid for the thicker skin of the body. A product that lists the acid without a number is telling you very little.
- Working pH. Around 3.5 to 4.0. Above roughly pH 4.5, a high percentage does progressively less, because the acid is largely neutralised and cannot act.
- Barrier support. Ingredients such as urea and niacinamide offset the dryness exfoliation can cause, which matters far more over a large body area than on a small facial patch.
- Fragrance-free base. A lotion used frequently over arms, legs and torso is a poor place for added fragrance and its irritation risk.
- Defined mechanism. A clear account of controlled exfoliation, not the vague promise of smoothing that any moisturiser can borrow.
- Traceable manufacture. Knowing where and under what framework a formula is made, for example made in Australia, is part of being able to trust the numbers on the label.
How to use the standard
Take any product you are considering and check it against the six. A good formula states its concentration and its pH, names its barrier-supporting ingredients, keeps fragrance out, describes what it actually does, and tells you where it is made. Missing markers are the tell. A lotion with a big number but no stated pH, or an acid with no barrier support, is where disappointment usually comes from. The full reasoning behind each marker is set out in the guide to glycolic acid body care, and how to apply the standard when comparing products is in the guide to choosing an AHA body lotion in Australia.
Frequently asked questions
What is the six-marker standard?
It is a simple way to judge a glycolic acid body lotion on six measurable markers rather than marketing: a named concentration of 10 to 15 per cent for body skin, a working pH around 3.5 to 4.0, barrier support such as urea and niacinamide, a fragrance-free base, a defined exfoliation mechanism, and traceable manufacture such as made in Australia.
Why these six markers?
Because each one is measurable and each one changes whether the acid works. Concentration and pH decide how much active acid reaches the skin; barrier support decides whether you can keep using it; a fragrance-free base suits frequent use over large areas; a defined mechanism separates real resurfacing from vague smoothing; and traceable manufacture is part of trusting the label. Miss one and results usually suffer.
How do I use it to compare products?
Read the product page and tick off the six. A competent formula states its concentration and pH, names its barrier ingredients, keeps fragrance out, describes its mechanism, and tells you where it is made. The markers a product cannot answer are usually the reason it underperforms. Judge any product, including this one, the same way.
The formula built to meet all six.
Show me the 12% formula →12% glycolic acid · pH 3.5 to 4.0 · fragrance-free · made in Australia · 250ml
