*this blog contains affiliated links and discount codes
The INKEY List Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body Stick Review + Discount Code
Does this stick actually work for bumpy skin, KP and ingrown hairs? Full 8 week test, results week by week.
Tested: 8 weeks | Skin type: Dry with bumpy patches on arms and elbows | Rating: 4.5/5
Image courtesy of The Hut.com Ltd t/a Lookfantastic.com
I've tried a lot of body exfoliants over the years. Sugar scrubs, salt scrubs, body brushes, AHAs in bottles, BHA sprays. Most of them work in the moment. You get out of the shower, your skin feels smooth, and then by day three the texture is back exactly as it was before. That's the problem with physical exfoliation. It addresses the surface but doesn't actually change what's happening underneath.
So when The INKEY List launched their Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body Stick, I was intrigued by the format more than the concept. A solid stick you glide across your skin instead of applying a cream or sweeping on a toner? That felt genuinely different from the usual bottle and pad routine. I've been using it consistently for eight weeks now and I want to give you a proper, honest account of what happened, not just the first week but the full stretch.
The INKEY List Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body Stick is around £9 for 45g and available at Look Fantastic with 20% off.
What is glycolic acid and why does it matter for body skin?
If you're not familiar with AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), the short version is this: they're chemical exfoliants that dissolve the bonds between dead skin cells on the surface of your skin, allowing them to shed naturally rather than building up. Glycolic acid is one of the most researched AHAs because its small molecular structure means it penetrates skin more effectively than other acids.
For body skin specifically, this matters because we tend to get more buildup on areas like elbows, knees, shins and upper arms, partly because those areas get more friction from clothing, and partly because a lot of people don't exfoliate their body with the same consistency they exfoliate their face. Dead skin accumulates, you get roughness, and no amount of moisturiser alone fully fixes it because it's trying to hydrate over a layer of dead cells.
Salicylic acid (a BHA) works differently. It penetrates into pores and dissolves the blockages inside them. That's why the combination in this stick is more interesting than glycolic acid alone. You're getting surface exfoliation from the AHA and deeper pore clearing from the BHA at the same time.
What's in the stick and what each ingredient does
7% Glycolic Acid: surface exfoliation. The 7% is a solid mid range concentration for body use. It's not so low that it's ineffective but not so high that it causes irritation for most people.
0.5% Salicylic Acid: pore clearing. The ingredient I'd highlight if you have body breakouts or ingrown hairs. It's enough to start making a difference without being harsh.
10% Shea Butter: barrier support. A smart addition because AHA products can feel drying if you're not careful. Having that emollient base built in means the product doesn't strip your barrier while it exfoliates.
How to use it: the right way
The instructions say to use it on clean, dry skin. And "clean and dry" actually matters more here than with a cream or serum.
When your skin is wet, the acid sits in the water layer on the surface and can spread unevenly, which increases the chance of irritation. When your skin is dry, the stick glides on and the acid makes direct contact with the skin cells it's meant to exfoliate. I use it in the evening, after I've showered and dried off properly. Not right at the end of a shower where there's still moisture on the skin, but once I'm out and towel dried.
You twist up the stick and apply directly to the area you want to treat. A few strokes is enough. You don't need to coat it heavily. I do elbows and knees first, then my upper arms where I get the most texture. It absorbs quickly, within 30 seconds or so, and doesn't leave any residue or sticky feeling.
After applying, I follow with a body moisturiser. The shea butter in the stick means you could skip it if your skin doesn't feel dry, but for most people with dry or bumpy skin, moisturising afterwards is going to help maintain the results and support the skin barrier while the exfoliation is working. If you're looking for a moisturiser recommendation, I've reviewed the Dr.Jart+ Ceramidin Cream which pairs well here, and for a more luxurious option the Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream works beautifully as a body moisturiser too.
My 8 week results: week by week
Week 1-2: Smoothed rough texture on elbows and knees significantly after first few uses. No redness or irritation. Skin felt noticeably softer by the end of week two. Started using two to three times per week.
Week 3-4: Ingrown hairs on thighs reduced. The salicylic acid was starting to work inside pores. Extended use to upper arms where I get small bumpy patches. Skin tone looked more even.
Week 5-6: The real difference appeared. Texture on elbows and knees was consistently smooth, not just for a day after use. I'd stopped noticing rough patches because they weren't there any more. Bumps on arms had flattened significantly.
Week 7-8: Skin felt genuinely different. Smooth texture even on days I didn't use the stick. I'd backed off to every three to four days at this point and results held. My KP bumps on my upper arms were about 70% improved. Ingrown hairs almost completely gone.
The takeaway here is that this isn't a quick fix product. If you use it twice and expect miracle results, you'll be disappointed. If you give it four to six weeks consistently, the difference is real and it compounds. That's the honest truth about chemical exfoliation on body skin. It works, but it requires patience.
Who should use it and who should skip it
Use it if you:
Skip it if you:
Skin type notes: The shea butter base makes this more tolerable for dry skin than a pure acid product would be. If you have very oily skin and are prone to body acne, you might prefer a lighter moisturiser after use rather than the shea butter sitting on top. Not because the product is too heavy but because your skin type might prefer a different finish. For combination to dry skin, this is a good fit as is. If you want to compare it with other K Beauty body options, I've reviewed Anua body products and Beauty of Joseon which both have their own strengths for different skin concerns. Both brands are available at Sephora UK, where you can typically get 15% off your order.
How it compares to other body exfoliants
The main advantage of the stick format is that you actually stick with it. Physical scrubs are satisfying in the moment. You smooth the surface, you feel the grit, it seems like something is happening. But by next week the scrub is doing exactly the same thing because it hasn't changed anything about how your skin behaves. The INKEY List stick is the opposite: the more consistently you use it, the better your baseline skin quality becomes. By week six, my skin felt smooth even on the days I didn't use it, because the acid had actually changed the rate of cell turnover on my body.
Paula's Choice BHA Body Spray covers more ground faster if you have breakouts across your back or chest. The spray format is genuinely useful for large areas that are hard to reach. The stick is better for elbows, knees and upper arms where the texture issues tend to concentrate. Both have their place but if I had to pick one it would be the stick, purely for the consistency angle.
Glycolic acid toners in bottles work. The format is well understood and the science is solid. But you need cotton pads, you need to apply evenly, and the process is more faff than just gliding a stick across the skin. If you're already using a toner and it's working, stick with it. If you've fallen out of the habit because it feels like too much effort, the stick is worth trying.
A dry body brush is genuinely useful for circulation and for keeping the surface smooth between chemical exfoliation sessions. I'd say use both. The brush in the morning for stimulation and circulation, the stick a few evenings a week for the actual cell turnover change.
How to layer it in your body routine
The safest approach is to use it in the evening, after cleansing, and then moisturise. If you're using other actives on your body, a retinoid cream for instance, or a niacinamide body serum, put the stick on first, let it absorb for a minute, then follow with your other products. Don't use multiple high strength acids in the same routine.
In the morning, just cleanse, moisturise and apply SPF on any exposed skin. You don't need to use the stick in the morning. It works while you sleep. If you're also using a chemical exfoliant on your face, that's completely separate and fine. The INKEY List stick is for your body. Your face has its own routine. For broader skincare routine advice, I've put together a LANEIGE Water Bank Gentle Gel Cleanser Review that covers how I layer everything, including this stick.
Tip: If you shave, apply the stick after you've finished shaving and your skin has settled. Wait at least 10 to 15 minutes after shaving before applying any acid product. Applying it to freshly shaved skin can sting.
Long term use: what to expect
I've been using this for eight weeks and I'm planning to keep it in my routine long term. My skin has genuinely changed over that time. Not just feels smoother after use, but the baseline quality of my skin is better than it was before I started. That's the real benefit of consistent chemical exfoliation on the body.
At the eight week mark I'm using it every three to four days rather than the every other day frequency I started with. My skin has adjusted and I don't need to use it as often to maintain the results. I'll probably keep this up indefinitely because the alternative (going back to rough elbows and ingrown hairs) isn't appealing.
If you stop using it, the effects will gradually fade. Cell turnover on the body is slower than on the face, so you won't wake up rough overnight, but within a few weeks you'll notice the texture building back up. This isn't a product you use once and are done with. It's more like a moisturiser in that sense, a consistent part of your routine that maintains the condition of your skin.
FAQ
How long does one stick last?
With regular use on elbows, knees and upper arms, I'd say around six to eight weeks. The stick is 45g and you only need a few strokes per area, so it lasts longer than you'd expect.
Can I use it every day?
Once your skin has adjusted, yes. I'd recommend starting with two to three times a week for the first two to three weeks, then building up. Daily use isn't necessary. Every other day or every three days maintains results well once you're past the initial phase.
Does it sting?
Not for me. I have reactive skin and felt nothing beyond a very mild tingle on the first use. If your skin barrier is compromised or you have any micro cuts from shaving, it may sting. Test on a small area first if you're unsure.
Can I use it on my face?
No. The acid concentration is formulated for body skin, which is thicker and more resilient than facial skin. The 7% glycolic acid and 0.5% salicylic acid would be too strong for most face skin types. Use a dedicated facial exfoliant instead.
Is it better than a body scrub?
For lasting results, yes. Physical scrubs remove dead skin cells from the surface but don't change the rate at which they build up. Chemical exfoliation (AHA/BHA) actively improves cell turnover, so the improvement is cumulative and holds between uses. That said, scrubs aren't harmful. They're just less effective for long term texture improvement.
Does it help with body breakouts?
Yes. The salicylic acid content unclogs pores, which is the mechanism behind most body acne. It's useful on the chest, back, shoulders and upper arms. The stick format also makes it easy to apply to larger areas compared to a targeted treatment.
Can I use it with other skincare products?
Yes, with some caveats. Don't layer it with other high strength acids in the same routine. It's fine alongside niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, or a gentle moisturiser. If you use a prescription retinoid on your body, discuss with your doctor whether a separate exfoliant is necessary. It may not be.
Does it help with keratosis pilaris (KP)?
KP (those small rough bumps on the backs of arms) is caused by a buildup of keratin in hair follicles. Regular exfoliation, particularly with AHAs, helps soften and reduce KP over time. I noticed a real improvement in my upper arm bumps by week seven or eight. It's not a cure (KP doesn't have one) but it's one of the most effective over the counter approaches available.
Can I travel with it?
Yes. This is one of the genuinely useful things about the format. Because it's a solid stick and not a liquid, it doesn't count as a fluid in your hand luggage. I've taken it on a flight without any issues.
Sun sensitivity: Like all AHA products, this increases your skin's sensitivity to the sun. Apply SPF to any treated areas during the day, particularly in summer. This is especially important if you're using it on exposed skin like your arms or legs.
You can find The INKEY List Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body Stick at Look Fantastic, where they usually have 20% off running.
My verdict
This stick works. Not in a dramatic, overnight transformation way. In the slow, steady, actually changing my skin way that proper chemical exfoliation delivers when you give it time.
The format is genuinely clever. I use it more consistently than I've ever used a body exfoliant because it takes under a minute and there's no faff. I don't have to wet it, apply it with a pad, wash my hands afterwards, worry about dripping. I just glide it on, wait a minute, moisturise, and done. For something you need to do regularly to maintain results, that ease of use makes a real difference to whether you actually stick with it.
It's not perfect. I'd love to see a slightly larger format given how much area the body covers compared to the face, and if you have very oily skin the shea butter finish might not be your preference. But for dry and combination skin, which is the majority of people who deal with rough texture, this is a genuinely useful product that I'd recommend without hesitation.
If you've been dealing with rough elbows, ingrown hairs, bumpy arms or dull body skin and haven't found anything that actually works long term, this is worth an eight week commitment.
Kisses, Nicola xxx
By
If you have found yourself peeking at my page, then like me, you must love all things beauty right? Some people like cars, shoes or diamonds, well me, I love beauty products of every kind! Here I shall share it all with you beauts!
April 28, 2026
April 25, 2026
