Image: theordinary.com
The Ordinary
Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner
A toner built around AHA and Glycolic acid, for hydration and smoothing.
Brand price
USD 8.10 · checked 25 Sept 2026 · on the brand's site
From the brand
What the brand says about this product. Our ingredient analysis follows below.
The brand recommends it for
- Normal skin
- Dark spots & pigmentation
- Dullness
- Uneven texture
How to use
Face/Neck Application: Apply once daily, ideally in the evening. Apply to the face and neck using a cotton pad or fingers. Scalp Application: Apply to dry scalp, three times a week. Tilt your head back and use the nozzle to gently dispense product from the front to the back of the head in a sweeping motion. Massage well. Do not rinse off. Do not use on sensitive, peeling, or compromised skin. Avoid the eye contour and contact with eyes. Contact of the product with the skin must be of limited frequency or duration. If eye or skin irritation occurs, rinse thoroughly, cease use, and consult a physician. Use only as directed on unbroken skin. Patch testing prior to use is advised. Keep out of reach of children. 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. Use a sunscreen, wear protective clothing, and limit sun exposure while using this product and for a week afterwards.
Caution
Do not use on sensitive, peeling, or compromised skin. Avoid the eye contour and contact with eyes. If eye or skin irritation occurs, rinse thoroughly, cease use, and consult a physician. Use only as directed on unbroken skin. Patch testing prior to use is advised. Keep out of reach of children. 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. Use a sunscreen, wear protective clothing, and limit sun exposure while using this product and for a week afterwards.
What's inside
Ingredients List
1 trigger at least one check · 41 trigger none
- AHA
- Glycolic acid
- Anti-Aging
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Exfoliating
- Smoothing
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Hydrating11
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Fructose, Glucose, Glutamic Acid, Glycerin, Histidine, PCA, Propanediol, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Sucrose, Urea
Barrier Repair5
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin, Hexyl Nicotinate, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Water
Smoothing6
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid, Glycolic Acid, Hexyl Nicotinate, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Sodium Lactate
Exfoliating4
Lifts dead surface cells to smooth texture.
Anti-Pollution4
Helps defend against airborne pollutants.
Glycerin, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract
Concerns
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis1
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris2
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Ingredients Explained
Click on any ingredient to learn more about it
Aqua
Solvent
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Glycolic Acid is an AHA.
Learn more about Glycolic Acid →Rosa Damascena Flower Water
Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Rosa Damascena Flower water is an aqueous solution of the steam of the distillate obtained from the flowers of the Damask Rose, Rosa damascena, Rosaceae
Learn more about Rosa Damascena Flower Water →Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water
Skin Conditioning
Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water is an aqueous solution of the steam distillate obtained from the Cornflower, Centaurea cyanus L., Asteraceae
Learn more about Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water →Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
Fragrance
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water is an aqueous solution of the steam distillate obtained from the leaves of the aloe, Aloe barbadensis, Liliaceae
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water →Propanediol
Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Propanediol is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Propanediol →Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care, Perfuming, Humectant, Skin Protecting, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Glycerin may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Glycerin →Triethanolamine
Buffering, Fragrance, Cleansing, Emulsifying
2,2',2''-Nitrilotriethanol
Learn more about Triethanolamine →Aminomethyl Propanol
Buffering
2-Amino-2-methylpropanol
Learn more about Aminomethyl Propanol →Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Hair Conditioning, Emollient, Skin Protecting, Tonic
Panax Ginseng Root Extract is an extract of the roots of the Ginseng, Panax ginseng, Araliaceae
Learn more about Panax Ginseng Root Extract →
Dupes
- Deconstruct Exfoliating 7% Glycolic Acid Toner with Niacinamide73% match
- Dermalogica multi-active toner61% match