How I tested The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner

As I’ve been using acids for years, I went straight into daily usage with this toner, following the brand’s suggestion. I used it every night, after cleansing my skin, using a cotton pad or my fingers. I find the finger method better for me as I feel I waste less product and it’s also better for the environment. You can also use a reusable cotton pad, but I find that this absorbs a lot of the product.

For my scalp, I tried this as a pre-wash treatment to remove dead skin cells and debris as well as product build-up. Its nozzle makes it super easy to use on the scalp. I separate my hair into sections and apply it directly to the scalp, massage it in and leave it to absorb for a few hours. I typically use this the night before or a few hours before my next hair wash.

For my underarms, I used this product twice a day and noticed it working right away. Since this isn’t an antiperspirant, it won’t work to reduce perspiration, but, overall it worked really well.

I trialled the product for two weeks, applying it on my face/neck/chest, underarms and scalp. For my face, I noticed some dryness around my mouth area, which is where I use topical prescription-strength acne creams. For the remaining nights, I avoided this area, to minimise dryness.

Why you can trust me

I’m a beauty journalist and qualified facialist with over a decade of experience in the field. I love testing out products and review them, authentically and honestly. I’ve thoroughly reviewed beauty tech, skincare and makeup for publications like Glamour, IndyBest, Cosmopolitan, HuffPost US and other.

As someone who has had acne since my teens, I know the journey to skin health isn’t linear nor easy. I focus on long-term results rather than “quick” fixes or TikTok beauty hacks.

How to use the The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner

Let’s start with the basics: Use The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner only at nighttime. You can initially patch test and notice if your skin reacts negatively.

The brand mentions it can be used daily, but no skin is the same, so I’d recommend starting slow, using it a few times per week. Depending on your age and skin health, you can up this according to your needs.

Start with your cleansing routine (avoid any other exfoliating products here), pat your skin dry, as glycolic acid works best on dry skin.

Then, apply the toner, wait for it to absorb and continue with the rest of your routine. Ideally, I would use this on alternate nights with other ‘heavy’ actives like retinoids, to minimise the possibility of irritation.

In the morning, you must use a full-spectrum sunscreen, even in the wintertime, to protect the skin, especially when using acids and other exfoliators.

For the body, this can be applied daily, or every other day, as the skin on our body is thicker and more resilient. For the scalp, using the toner once or twice a week as a pre-wash treatment or overnight, is enough.

If your skin is sensitive, peeling or compromised in any way (dryness, dermatitis, eczema, rosacea) this product won’t work for you and it could easily aggravate these conditions.

Both doctors I spoke to recommend avoiding glycolic acid in the following cases: if you experience rosacea, eczema, damaged skin barrier, psoriasis or broken skin. You should also avoid it if you use prescription-strength retinoids or have had recent cosmetic procedures.

“Glycolic acid is not recommended during pregnancy, and should be avoided by anyone who is particularly sensitive or allergic. During pregnancy, exfoliating acids are generally best avoided, particularly in leave-on formulations, unless advised otherwise by a healthcare professional,” noted Dr. Ahmed El Muntasar.