Salicylic acid and glycolic acid have been compared by some. They are both used in different severities of chemical peels, and they are both also used for acne treatment at this time, because in part they cause the skin cells to shed away and regenerate themselves to clear clogged pores among other mechanisms of action. There are various differences. While salicylic acid is obviously used in chemical peels, it does not actually cause damage to the skin at all when used in smaller amounts. Glycolic acid on the other hand has many of the same side effects as benzoyl peroxide, and when used in higher amounts, it has to be followed with a neutralizer. Salicylic acid has been used in insulin by some scientists among other things. Glycolic acid has been used in antifreeze. So while both treatments are extremely common and can be found anywhere, this gives you an idea of the differences, and obviously salicylic acid is more gentle to say the least. Of course, this doesn’t cover all the bases. However, the fact that glycolic acid takes a neutralizer in higher amounts, causes side effects in smaller amounts, and is a common ingredient of antifreeze does not say much for its efficacy or safety for that matter. It doesn’t say a lot for the substance in general whereas salicylic acid is well known for a certain number of benefits, generally speaking without side effects.