Updated Feb 19, 2026
We’re all familiar with acids in our skincare. Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA’s) like glycolic acid and beta hydroxy acids (BHA’s) like salicylic acid are often used in products targeted to clarify skin and help exfoliate it. Different acids, like hyaluronic acid, help hydrate and soften the skin.
However, there’s a new acid on the personal care block, and you probably haven’t heard much about it. Succinic acid is a natural, plant-based acid that is a rising star in skincare, and at Rael, we wanted all in.
We researched and have everything you need to know about what succinic acid is, what it does, and who can use it. These succinic acid benefits for skin make it a popular option for those seeking exfoliation and hydration without the intensity of traditional acids.
What Is Succinic Acid?
Succinic acid is an organic acid derived from certain plants and even from amber, a naturally occurring gemstone. Succinic acid is found in sugar beets, rhubarb, broccoli, and even meats and cheeses. You can also find it hanging out in fermented foods like sauerkraut and apple cider vinegar.
Although succinic acid can be synthetic, the type you find in skincare products is usually derived from sugarcane or amber.
Succinic acid is like a wildcard among skincare acids. Like salicylic acid in its ability to gently remove dead skin cells from the skin’s surface, the mechanism it uses to do so is easier on your skin, which makes it perfect for sensitive skin types.
Like hyaluronic acid, succinic acid is hydrating, but the molecules are smaller, which allows it to absorb easily and sit comfortably on the skin’s surface.
Here’s a closer look at how it works.
Benefits of Succinic Acid
If we had to guess, we’d wager you’re going to be seeing a lot more of this multitasking facial acid showing up in your skincare and personal products. It offers numerous skin benefits with virtually zero side effects, making it one of the best things for anyone who’s never had luck with AHAs or BHAs. Here’s a rundown of its benefits.
Disinfectant Properties
Succinic acid helps improve the look of skin clarity by lifting away surface-level impurities that can make blemishes more noticeable. Salicylic acid has some disinfectant properties, but succinic acid offers a gentler approach that supports skin that looks clearer and more balanced over time.
The best part? Succinic acid works without leaving skin feeling stripped or overly dry, helping maintain a comfortable, refreshed feel. When skin feels balanced, it’s less likely to look irritated or overwhelmed.
Think of succinic acid as a gentle skin ally that supports a clean, fresh-looking complexion.
Skin Soother
Irritated skin can be hard to treat. No matter what you use, your skin feels uncomfortable, itchy, dry, or like it’s on fire.
Succinic acid is a soothing, gentle acid that helps skin feel calm and comfortable when it looks stressed or uneven.
Succinic acid helps reduce skin concerns, such as the appearance of redness, and leaves skin feeling more comfortable and balanced.
Hydrates
Even if you have oily skin, it’s probably dehydrated. In fact, oily skin is often the result of skin that is seriously dry. When skin feels dry, it can start to look overly shiny or unbalanced. The result is skin that may appear oily and more prone to visible blemishes.
Succinic acid is an effective hydrator that helps skin feel soft, smooth, and comfortable. Much like jojoba oil, its lightweight texture allows it to absorb easily, leaving skin feeling nourished without heaviness.
Succinic acid also works as an emollient to help condition and soften your skin and as a humectant to draw moisture in and lock it in.
Antioxidant Properties
Free radicals are unbalanced molecules that attack your skin and can cause premature aging. They come from sources like ultraviolet sun rays, pollution, cigarette smoke, and industrial cleaning products. Basically, they’re everywhere.
You can protect your skin against free radicals with antioxidants. Antioxidants help protect the look of skin from environmental stressors that can dull its appearance. Succinic acid is a natural antioxidant, similar to vitamin C.
Exfoliating Properties
Exfoliating refers to removing the top layer of dead skin cells, dirt, and oil from the surface of your skin. There’s a whole host of benefits associated with exfoliating, like preventing blemishes, keeping your skin texture smooth and even, and giving you an amazing glow.
Some exfoliants, like AHAs, can cause skin sensitivity. AHAs actually cause skin wounding by causing the first layers of your skin cells to die.
Succinic acid works differently. Instead of damaging your skin cells, succinic acid binds to dead skin cells and gently peels them away from the living cells on your skin. This makes exfoliating accessible to even people with the most sensitive types of skin.
Who Can Use Succinic Acid?
Because succinic acid is so gentle, it’s workable for every skin type. If you have blemish-prone skin, you’ll benefit from the mild exfoliating and pore-cleansing antimicrobial effects of succinic acid.
For dry skin, succinic acid hydrates without clogging pores and helps restore your skin’s natural moisture balance.
If you have sensitive skin, succinic acid may be the solution you’ve been searching for. You can use it for exfoliation and deep cleansing without developing skin irritation, unlike with AHA or BHA-based exfoliants.
Succinic Acid In Products
You might find succinic acid paired with other acids in skincare products. Although it’s pretty new to the scene, it’s already partnering with salicylic acid to help combat bumps and blemishes. However, if you have a sensitivity to salicylic acid, you’ll want to use a succinic acid-only product.
At Rael, we’ve thoughtfully formulated a range of skincare essentials to harness succinic acid’s benefits in ways that are effective yet gentle on your skin:
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Exfoliating Cleanser: Gently removes dead skin cells, clears away buildup, and helps unclog pores without stripping or irritating the skin.
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Clarifying Toner: Balances your skin after cleansing, helps minimize excess oil, and preps your skin for hydration while keeping blemishes in check.
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Spot Gel: Targets stubborn blemishes right where they start, delivering succinic acid directly to calm and clarify problem areas.
Hyaluronic acid also works well with succinic acid to keep skin properly hydrated and smooth. If you have particularly dry skin or if you’re in desperate need of balancing your skin’s natural moisture level, a product with succinic and hyaluronic would be an ideal fit.
Side Effects of Succinic Acid
Succinic acid is powerfully effective, but it’s so gentle on your skin that no reported side effects are known. Unlike most AHAs and BHAs that carry some risk of skin sensitivity, succinic acid is so mild, even the most sensitive skin types can use it without worrying about developing irritation.
It goes without saying that anytime you try a new skincare product, you should always spot test it on an inconspicuous area of your skin to make sure you don’t have an allergy to it.
How To Use It
Succinic acid works best in cleansers and serums. Succinic acid’s molecular structure is really small, and it’s easy for it to penetrate your skin.
However, if you pair succinic acid with large molecules (like the kind you find in moisturizers or heavy creams), it can become impossible for the succinic acid to penetrate. The larger molecules from the moisturizer will block succinic acid’s ability to penetrate.
To grab the most of succinic acid’s exfoliating properties, a cleanser is your best option. And of course, you know Rael has you covered.
Succinic Acid for Everyday Skincare
One of the best things about succinic acid is how easy it is to use every day. Because it’s so gentle, it fits effortlessly into both morning and nighttime routines without the risk of over-exfoliating.
Whether you’re using it in a cleanser, toner, or targeted product, consistent use helps support clearer-looking skin while maintaining hydration and balance. Instead of cycling harsh actives in and out of your skincare routine, succinic acid offers a steady, skin-friendly way to keep blemishes under control and your complexion feeling comfortable.
Combining Succinic Acid with Other Ingredients
Succinic acid truly shines when paired with calming, supportive ingredients. It works especially well alongside soothing additions like aloe vera, niacinamide, and green tea extract.
These ingredient combinations help enhance hydration, calm visible redness, and support the skin barrier, while succinic acid does the work of gently exfoliating and clarifying. The result is balanced, blemish-prone skin that feels cared for—never irritated or overwhelmed.
When thoughtfully formulated, succinic acid and its complementary ingredients may help support the appearance of clearer skin over time while keeping your skin feeling soft, comfortable, and healthy-looking
Get Rael
It’s no secret; we love succinic acid for skin. We wanted to include an exfoliating cleanser in our product lineup for a long time, but we just weren’t happy with the options available for exfoliating ingredients.
At Rael, our skincare is based on K-beauty technology, which treats the skin with gentle, effective ingredients that don’t cause irritation or clog your pores. For the full skincare experience, our Miracle product line is here to help.
The antimicrobial properties of succinic acid pair with its gentle skin-peeling abilities to deep clean your skin and exfoliate without leaving your skin red, raw, or uncomfortable. The best news, it’s safe to use every day.
For skin that is seriously clarified, smooth, ultra-hydrated, and glowing, grab our Miracle Clear Exfoliating Cleanser, and don’t forget about the rest of our clean, cruelty-free skincare. Designed to naturally keep your skin balanced and beautiful, you can trust our skincare to leave your skin looking radiant without the use of chemicals that could harm you or the environment.
Sources:
- Science direct. Succinic Acid. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/succinic-acid. Accessed on January 8, 2026.
- NIH. Staphylococcus epidermidis in the human skin microbiome mediates fermentation to inhibit the growth of Propionibacterium acnes: Implications of probiotics in acne vulgaris. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3888247/. Accessed on January 8, 2026.
- Springer Nature. Antihypoxic and Antioxidant Effects of Exogenous Succinic Acid and Aminothiol Succinate-Containing Antihypoxants. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10517-012-1709-5. Accessed on January 8, 2026.