For individuals seeking to improve skin texture, tone, and radiance, The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner offers effective chemical exfoliation to reveal smoother, brighter skin. While highly effective, new users or those with sensitive skin should introduce it cautiously to avoid potential irritation.
7% Glycolic Acid: Delivers potent chemical exfoliation to the skin's surface, helping to remove dead skin cells.
Optimized pH: Formulated with a pH of approximately 3.6 to 3.7, which is ideal for the efficacy of AHAs.
Tasmanian Pepperberry Derivative: A botanical extract known to help reduce irritation associated with acid use, enhancing comfort.
Ginseng Root & Aloe Vera: Provide soothing and hydrating benefits to support skin comfort during exfoliation.
Targets Multiple Concerns: Specifically designed to address uneven skin tone, textural irregularities, and general dullness.
Alcohol-Free Formula: Helps to minimize dryness and potential irritation, making it suitable for a wider range of skin types.
Effective Exfoliation: Visibly improves skin texture and luminosity with consistent use.
Affordable: Offers professional-grade exfoliation at a highly accessible price point.
Large Size: The 240ml bottle provides ample product for extended use.
Targets Dullness: Excellent for brightening a tired or uneven complexion.
Simple Formulation: Focused ingredients for targeted action.
Potential for Irritation: Can cause tingling, redness, or sensitivity, especially for new users or sensitive skin.
Increased Sun Sensitivity: AHAs make skin more vulnerable to sun damage, requiring diligent SPF application.
Not for Compromised Skin: Should not be used on broken, inflamed, or extremely sensitive skin.
Interaction with Other Actives: Requires careful integration with other potent ingredients like retinoids or Vitamin C to avoid over-exfoliation.
Effective Exfoliation: Visibly improves skin texture and luminosity with consistent use.
Affordable: Offers professional-grade exfoliation at a highly accessible price point.
Large Size: The 240ml bottle provides ample product for extended use.
Targets Dullness: Excellent for brightening a tired or uneven complexion.
Simple Formulation: Focused ingredients for targeted action.
Potential for Irritation: Can cause tingling, redness, or sensitivity, especially for new users or sensitive skin.
Increased Sun Sensitivity: AHAs make skin more vulnerable to sun damage, requiring diligent SPF application.
Not for Compromised Skin: Should not be used on broken, inflamed, or extremely sensitive skin.
Interaction with Other Actives: Requires careful integration with other potent ingredients like retinoids or Vitamin C to avoid over-exfoliation.
This 7% Glycolic Acid solution functions as an Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA), working on the surface of the skin to shed dead skin cells. This process reveals fresher, more radiant skin underneath. Regular use can lead to a noticeable improvement in skin smoothness, clarity, and overall tone. Many users report a reduction in the appearance of textural irregularities and a brighter complexion over several weeks.
Cleansing: Start with a clean, dry face after your regular cleanser.
Application: Saturate a cotton pad with the toner. Gently sweep it across your face and neck, avoiding the eye area and direct contact with eyes.
Frequency: Begin by using it 2-3 times per week, preferably in the evening. If tolerated well, you can increase to every other night, but daily use may be too intense for many.
Follow-up: After the toner has absorbed (1-2 minutes), follow with your serums and moisturizer. Always apply sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) the next morning.
Example Use Case: A person experiencing dullness and uneven skin texture might use this toner three evenings a week. After cleansing, they apply the toner, then follow with a hydrating serum and a rich night cream. In the morning, they would use a gentle cleanser, antioxidant serum, moisturizer, and a broad-spectrum SPF. They notice their skin feeling smoother and looking brighter after about 4-6 weeks of consistent use.
There is no complex setup required. The toner is ready for immediate use. Simply ensure your skin is clean and dry before application. A patch test on a small, inconspicuous area (e.g., behind the ear or on the inner forearm) is highly recommended before initial full facial use, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Avoid Concurrent Use With: Other strong acids (like other AHAs/BHAs, Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid in high concentrations), pure Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid), and Retinoids (e.g., Retinol, Tretinoin). Using these together can lead to over-exfoliation, irritation, and compromised skin barrier function. Consider alternating these products on different nights or different times of day.
Compatible With: Hydrating serums (e.g., Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide), gentle moisturizers, and facial oils. These products can help support the skin barrier and counteract potential dryness.
Storage: Store the bottle upright in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. Ensure the cap is tightly closed after each use.
Shelf Life: Refer to the PAO (Period After Opening) symbol, usually a small open jar icon with a number followed by 'M' (e.g., '12M' for 12 months), on the product packaging.
Sun Protection: Due to the exfoliating nature of Glycolic Acid, your skin will be more susceptible to sun damage. Always apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every morning, even on cloudy days, and reapply as needed.