Exuviance Glycolic Perfecting Moisturiser
The Verdict
Glycolic Perfecting Moisturiser is a well-judged entry point into overnight AHA resurfacing: 8% Glycolic Acid is enough to work while you sleep without the step-up commitment of the 10% Glycolic Expert, and the oil-free, non-comedogenic base means it layers easily under a normal routine. The trade-off is that it's strictly an evening product, and morning SPF isn't optional afterwards.
Exuviance Glycolic Perfecting Moisturiser | Anti-Ageing Night Cream | 45g
£46.00
Exuviance Glycolic Perfecting Moisturiser is an oil-free, 45g night cream built around a pH-optimised 8% Glycolic Acid with a 3% Brightening Complex. Formulated as an evening-only treatment, Exuviance states 100% of users reported brighter, smoother skin after four weeks of nightly use. It's non-comedogenic and suited to dry, normal and combination skin wanting overnight resurfacing without oil.
What it is
This is Exuviance's mid-strength glycolic night cream, sitting between the brand's gentler PHA moisturisers and its higher-strength Glycolic Expert Moisturiser (10% Glycolic Acid). The formula pairs a pH-optimised 8% Glycolic Acid with a 3% Brightening Complex, Exuviance's term for the supporting blend of actives layered on top of the acid. Exuviance credits development to scientists it describes as pioneers of Glycolic Acid technology, and the formula is described as dermatologically tested. It's a 45g jar, applied once nightly rather than as a twice-daily cream.
Texture and how it feels on skin
Exuviance describes the texture as a smooth, velvety cream that absorbs readily without residue or a greasy after-feel, and the formula is explicitly oil-free and non-comedogenic — worth noting if you've found other AHA night creams too rich to sit comfortably under a following layer.
Key ingredients
| Ingredient | What it's for |
|---|---|
| Glycolic Acid 8%, pH-optimised | An Alpha Hydroxy Acid included to help improve the appearance of texture, tone and fine lines through overnight exfoliation |
| 3% Brightening Complex | Exuviance's named blend of supporting actives, included to help improve the appearance of dullness and uneven tone |
| Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E) | An antioxidant commonly formulated alongside AHAs in Exuviance's range — see the data gap note below on this specific listing |
Exuviance's own description doesn't publish a full INCI list for this SKU, so this table covers the named actives from the product listing rather than an exhaustive ingredient deck.
Who it suits
- Dry, normal or combination skin wanting an evening resurfacing step without oil
- Anyone targeting dullness, uneven tone or the early signs of fine lines and wrinkles
- Those who've found richer, non-comedogenic night creams sit more comfortably than a lightweight lotion
It's not the pick for first-time AHA users wanting the mildest possible introduction — a lower-strength product is a gentler starting point — and it's not designed for daytime use. If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, please contact our team for advice before use.
When and how to use it
Apply once nightly to cleansed skin as the final step, or before a facial oil if your routine calls for one — it's built to work while you sleep, not under makeup or SPF. Because it carries a meaningful concentration of Glycolic Acid, sun protection the following morning matters more than usual; pair it with a proper SPF routine rather than skipping sunscreen because the acid step happened overnight.
Glycolic Perfecting vs Glycolic Expert
The obvious comparison inside the range is Glycolic Expert Moisturiser, which steps the acid up to 10% and is positioned for users already comfortable with AHAs. Glycolic Perfecting Moisturiser, at 8% and paired with the Brightening Complex, reads as the more accessible of the two — a sensible next step for overnight resurfacing without the highest-strength commitment. If you'd rather skip Glycolic Acid altogether, the PHA-based Overnight Transformation Complex is the gentler night-time alternative, and Daily Resurfacing Peel CA10 offers a pad-based format instead of a leave-on cream. See our round-up of Exuviance toners and moisturisers for hydration and the Exuviance brand page for the full range.
Our verdict
Glycolic Perfecting Moisturiser is a well-judged entry point into overnight AHA resurfacing: 8% Glycolic Acid is enough to work while you sleep without the step-up commitment of the 10% Glycolic Expert, and the oil-free, non-comedogenic base means it layers easily under a normal routine. The trade-off is that it's strictly an evening product, and morning SPF isn't optional afterwards.
FAQs
Can I use this moisturiser during the daytime?
No — it's formulated as a PM-only night cream. Use it as the evening step in your routine, not under SPF or makeup.
How quickly will I see results from this treatment?
Exuviance states that 100% of users reported brighter, more luminous skin and smoother texture after four weeks of nightly use in the brand's own testing.
What's the difference between the 8% and 10% Exuviance glycolic moisturisers?
This product uses 8% Glycolic Acid alongside a 3% Brightening Complex, while Glycolic Expert Moisturiser steps up to 10% Glycolic Acid and is positioned for more experienced AHA users.
Is this moisturiser oil-free?
Yes — Exuviance describes the formula as oil-free and non-comedogenic.
Can I use this if I have dry skin?
Exuviance positions it as suitable for dry, normal and combination skin types.
Do I need SPF the next morning after using this?
Yes. Glycolic Acid can increase sun sensitivity, so a proper SPF routine the following morning is important even though the acid step happens overnight.
Is this suitable for sensitive skin?
Exuviance's own suitability guidance for this listing covers dry, normal and combination skin rather than sensitive skin specifically — if your skin reacts easily to acids, patch test first or ask our team before starting.