If you are looking for an easy way to tackle rough, bumpy or uneven body skin, The INKEY List Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body Stick is a product worth knowing about.
Designed as a targeted chemical exfoliating treatment, this handy 45g stick combines glycolic acid and salicylic acid to help improve several common body-skin concerns, including keratosis pilaris, ingrown hairs, rough skin and body breakouts.
What makes it particularly interesting is the format. Rather than using a traditional body scrub or liquid exfoliant, the product comes in a solid stick that can simply be glided over clean, dry skin. There is no need to rinse it away, making it a particularly convenient addition to a body-care routine.
What is The INKEY List Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body Stick?
The INKEY List Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body Stick is a targeted exfoliating treatment formulated to address multiple stubborn body-skin concerns. It contains 7% glycolic acid, 0.5% salicylic acid and 10% shea butter, combining chemical exfoliation with nourishing ingredients.
Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid, or AHA, which works on the surface of the skin to help remove dead skin cells and improve the appearance of rough, uneven texture. Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid, or BHA, which helps to unclog pores and is particularly useful for areas prone to breakouts and ingrown hairs.
The INKEY List states that the formula is clinically proven to improve keratosis pilaris in as little as seven days, while consumer testing has shown improvements in a number of other body-skin concerns. These claims come from the brand's clinical and consumer studies rather than being a guarantee of individual results.
What does it help with?
One of the biggest selling points of this body stick is its versatility. It has been designed for use on areas affected by keratosis pilaris, often referred to as 'chicken skin', as well as rough elbows and knees, dry or cracked heels, body breakouts and ingrown hairs.
It can also be used on the underarms and bikini line to help improve the appearance of discolouration. The targeted stick format makes it particularly useful when you do not want to apply an exfoliating product all over the body.
For anyone who experiences those small bumps on the backs of the arms or thighs, the combination of glycolic acid and salicylic acid is particularly appealing. Glycolic acid helps smooth the surface of the skin, while salicylic acid works to help clear congestion around the hair follicles.
Key ingredients
The formula contains a combination of exfoliating, nourishing and conditioning ingredients.Glycolic Acid 7%: An AHA that exfoliates dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, helping to improve roughness and uneven texture.
Salicylic Acid 0.5%: A BHA that helps unclog pores and target congestion, making it useful for body breakouts and ingrown hairs.
- Shea Butter 10%: A nourishing emollient that helps moisturise and protect the skin, helping to balance the exfoliating action of the acids.
- Jojoba Seed Oil: A conditioning ingredient that helps leave the skin feeling softer and smoother.
- Tocopherol: Also known as vitamin E, this antioxidant helps support the formula and provides conditioning benefits.
- Sunflower Seed Oil: A nourishing plant oil that helps condition the skin.
How do you use the Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body Stick?
The stick can be used in either your morning or evening body-care routine. Apply it directly to clean, dry skin on the areas you want to target. There is no need to rinse it off afterwards.
If you are new to chemical exfoliation, The INKEY List recommends starting two to three times a week and gradually increasing frequency to daily use if your skin tolerates it.
Once applied, you can follow with your usual body moisturiser. If you are using it on areas that will be exposed to the sun, it is important to protect those areas with sunscreen because AHAs can increase sensitivity to sunlight.
I would also recommend patch testing any new exfoliating product before introducing it fully into your routine, particularly if your skin is sensitive. It should not be applied to broken or irritated skin.
Why I like the stick format
Body exfoliation can sometimes feel like an extra step, particularly when products need to be applied and then rinsed away. The solid stick format makes this much more straightforward.
You can target exactly where you need it rather than applying an exfoliant over your entire body. It is also mess-free and does not require a cotton pad or your hands, which makes it a convenient option for areas such as the backs of the arms, knees, elbows, heels or areas prone to ingrown hairs.
The packaging is also compact enough to make it practical for travelling or keeping in your bathroom cabinet without having to worry about a liquid spilling everywhere.
Is it good for keratosis pilaris?
If keratosis pilaris is one of your main body-skin concerns, this is one of the more interesting products in The INKEY List body-care range.
Keratosis pilaris occurs when keratin builds up around hair follicles, creating small, rough bumps on the skin. While it cannot be permanently cured, regular exfoliation and moisturisation can help improve its appearance and texture.
The 7% glycolic acid is designed to exfoliate the surface of the skin, while the salicylic acid provides additional pore-clearing exfoliation. The inclusion of shea butter is also useful because body exfoliation can sometimes leave skin feeling dry if it is not followed by adequate moisturisation.
What about ingrown hairs?
The combination of glycolic acid and salicylic acid also makes this an interesting option for areas prone to ingrown hairs.
Regular exfoliation can help remove dead skin cells and reduce the build-up that can contribute to blocked follicles. The INKEY List specifically recommends the Body Stick for ingrown hairs and advises using it up to twice daily, reducing to once daily once the area has improved.
If you have recently removed hair, however, the brand recommends waiting eight hours before applying the product to the area.
My verdict
The INKEY List Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body Stick is a clever addition to a body-care routine, particularly if you are dealing with rough texture, keratosis pilaris, ingrown hairs or body breakouts.
The combination of 7% glycolic acid and 0.5% salicylic acid gives the product a strong exfoliating focus, while 10% shea butter helps to keep the formula from feeling purely exfoliating and drying. The solid stick format is arguably its biggest advantage, allowing you to apply the product precisely to the areas that need it without any mess or rinsing.
At £15 for 45g at the time of writing, it is also relatively affordable compared with many specialist body treatments.
If smoother, softer body skin is one of your beauty goals, particularly if you struggle with those frustrating little bumps, ingrown hairs or rough patches, The INKEY List Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body Stick is definitely one to consider.
Where to buy The INKEY List Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body Stick
The INKEY List Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body Stick is available from The INKEY List and selected beauty retailers - Boots, Space NK, Lookfantastic, Cult Beauty and more. Prices and availability can vary, so it is worth checking before purchasing.