This guide helps users understand and effectively use The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner, a daily treatment designed to significantly smooth skin texture, even tone, and enhance luminosity. While offering notable benefits for complexion improvement, it's crucial to note its potent exfoliating nature requires strict sun protection and is unsuitable for sensitive or compromised skin.
7% Glycolic Acid: Contains a well-studied Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) concentration for effective exfoliation of the skin's surface.
Optimized pH 3.6: Formulated with a pH close to Glycolic Acid's pKa for an ideal balance of salt and acidity, maximizing effectiveness while reducing irritation.
Multi-Purpose Application: Suitable for use on both the face and neck to improve skin texture and tone, and on the scalp for promoting health.
Boosts Skin Luminosity: Clinical testing demonstrates its ability to enhance the skin's natural radiance with regular use.
Evens Skin Tone: Promotes a more uniform and balanced skin appearance, diminishing irregularities over time.
Smooths Texture: Significantly refines and smoothes uneven skin texture, contributing to a softer feel.
Reduces Lines & Wrinkles: Helps to visibly decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, supporting a more youthful look.
Vegan & Cruelty-Free: Formulated without animal-derived ingredients and not tested on animals, aligning with ethical product standards.
Free From: Alcohol, oil, silicone, and gluten, making it suitable for users avoiding these ingredients.
Effective Exfoliation: Significantly smoothes skin texture and promotes a more even skin tone.
Enhances Luminosity: Boosts skin radiance and creates a more luminous complexion.
Reduces Signs of Aging: Helps diminish the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
Versatile Use: Can be applied to both the face/neck and scalp for targeted benefits.
Ethical Formulation: Certified vegan, cruelty-free, and free from common irritants like alcohol, oil, and silicone.
Optimized Potency: pH 3.6 ensures optimal acid effectiveness with reduced irritation potential.
Not for Sensitive Skin: Explicitly states it should not be used on sensitive, peeling, or compromised skin.
Increased Sun Sensitivity: Contains AHA, requiring diligent sun protection (sunscreen, protective clothing, limited sun exposure) during use and for a week after.
Incompatibility with Other Actives: Cannot be combined in the same regimen with certain potent ingredients like Direct Vitamin C, Retinoids, and other Direct Acids.
Patch Testing Required: Advises patch testing prior to full use to check for adverse reactions.
Limited Contact Duration: Contact of the product with the skin must be of limited frequency or duration to prevent irritation.
Effective Exfoliation: Significantly smoothes skin texture and promotes a more even skin tone.
Enhances Luminosity: Boosts skin radiance and creates a more luminous complexion.
Reduces Signs of Aging: Helps diminish the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
Versatile Use: Can be applied to both the face/neck and scalp for targeted benefits.
Ethical Formulation: Certified vegan, cruelty-free, and free from common irritants like alcohol, oil, and silicone.
Optimized Potency: pH 3.6 ensures optimal acid effectiveness with reduced irritation potential.
Not for Sensitive Skin: Explicitly states it should not be used on sensitive, peeling, or compromised skin.
Increased Sun Sensitivity: Contains AHA, requiring diligent sun protection (sunscreen, protective clothing, limited sun exposure) during use and for a week after.
Incompatibility with Other Actives: Cannot be combined in the same regimen with certain potent ingredients like Direct Vitamin C, Retinoids, and other Direct Acids.
Patch Testing Required: Advises patch testing prior to full use to check for adverse reactions.
Limited Contact Duration: Contact of the product with the skin must be of limited frequency or duration to prevent irritation.
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner is a high-performance chemical exfoliant designed to improve various aspects of skin health. Its primary active ingredient, 7% Glycolic Acid, works by loosening the bonds between dead skin cells on the skin's surface, allowing them to shed more easily. This process reveals fresher, smoother, and more radiant skin underneath.
Clinical Test Results Highlighted Performance:
Luminosity Boost: Users can expect a noticeable increase in skin luminosity, giving the complexion a healthier glow.
Even Skin Tone: Consistent use helps to visibly promote a more uniform skin tone, reducing the appearance of discoloration.
Smoothed Texture: The toner significantly refines skin texture, making it feel smoother to the touch and appear more even.
Line & Wrinkle Reduction: Through regular exfoliation, it can help diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, contributing to a smoother, more youthful look.
Optimized for Efficacy: The formula's pH of approximately 3.6 is crucial. Glycolic Acid has a pKa of 3.6, and formulating at a pH close to its pKa ensures an ideal balance between its acidic form (which penetrates and exfoliates) and its salt form, maximizing its effectiveness while simultaneously reducing the potential for irritation.
Real-World Application Examples:
For Dull, Uneven Skin: Integrate into your evening routine to target skin dullness, rough texture, and uneven tone. Apply gently after cleansing to reveal brighter skin over several weeks.
For Scalp Health: Beyond facial use, this toner can be applied to the dry scalp. Its exfoliating properties can help remove buildup and promote a healthier scalp environment, potentially addressing concerns related to flakiness or irritation.
Important Considerations:
Gradual Introduction: If new to AHAs, consider starting with less frequent use (e.g., every other day) to allow your skin to adjust.
Consistency is Key: Clinical results were observed over 6 weeks of daily use, emphasizing the importance of consistent application for optimal benefits.
Listen to Your Skin: Always pay attention to your skin's reaction. Mild tingling is normal, but persistent burning, redness, or excessive irritation indicates the need to stop use.
1. Patch Testing (Highly Recommended) Before initial use, apply a small amount of product to a discreet area of skin (e.g., behind the ear or on the inner forearm) for a few days to test for sensitivity or allergic reactions.
2. Face/Neck Application
Frequency: Apply once daily, ideally in the evening.
Method: After cleansing, dispense a small amount onto a cotton pad or directly onto clean fingers.
Application: Gently sweep over the face and neck, avoiding the eye contour and direct contact with eyes.
Do Not Rinse: Allow the product to absorb into the skin.
3. Scalp Application
Frequency: Apply three times a week.
Method: Ensure scalp is dry. Tilt your head back to prevent dripping.
Application: Use the nozzle to gently dispense the product from the front to the back of the head in a sweeping motion.
Massage: Gently massage the product into the scalp.
Do Not Rinse: Leave on the scalp.
Sensitive/Compromised Skin: DO NOT USE on sensitive, peeling, or compromised skin. This includes skin that is inflamed, broken, or recovering from procedures.
Eye Contact: Avoid the eye contour and direct contact with eyes. If contact occurs, rinse thoroughly with water.
Limited Frequency/Duration: Contact of the product with the skin must be of limited frequency or duration.
Irritation: If eye or skin irritation occurs, rinse thoroughly, cease use, and consult a physician.
Unbroken Skin: Use only as directed on unbroken skin.
Sunburn Alert: This product contains an Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) that may increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun and particularly the possibility of sunburn. You must take the following precautions:
Use Sunscreen: Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher daily.
Protective Clothing: Wear protective clothing, such as hats and long sleeves.
Limit Sun Exposure: Actively limit your sun exposure, especially during peak hours (10 AM - 4 PM).
Duration: Continue these sun protection measures while using the product and for a week afterwards.
Storage: Keep out of reach of children. Store at room temperature away from direct sunlight.
Do not combine this product in the same regimen with:
Direct or Ethylated Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid / Ethylated Ascorbic Acid)
Direct Acids (e.g., Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid)
Retinoids (e.g., Retinol, Granactive Retinoid)
Peptides
EUK 134 0.1%
Info needed: Specific recommendations for combining with other Ordinary products if not listed as incompatible.