The Ordinary Glycolic
If you have found this page, you have probably just purchased The Ordinary Glycolic Acid or are deciding if it´s something you need! Glycolic Acid is one of the most popular acids by The Ordinary. It now comes in 2 sizes, 100ml and 240ml and targets dullness, uneven tone and textural irregularities. This recently changed its name to The Ordinary Glycolic Exfoliating Toner. 85% of the Deciem Addicts LOVE Glycolic Acid.
Your Quick 15-Second Summary of Glycolic Acid
- This is an exfoliating toner
- Targets: dullness, uneven tone, textural irregularities
- You can use this in the evenings.
- This can be used daily, but it is advised to start once or twice weekly.
- Apply either with your hands or a cotton pad directly after cleansing your face and neck.
- There are conflicts! You should avoid using the following products in the same routine. Direct Acids, Direct Vitamin C, Retinol/Retinoids, Copper Peptides, Peptides, EUK and Niacinamide Powder.
- Value for money! Great value for money if you buy the 240ml. But the 100ml is great for travelling.
- This has lots of other uses! It can be used on your scalp, heels, rough skin and as a deodorant.
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Reviews
Everything you need to know about The Ordinary Glycolic Acid, including how to use it, videos, reviews and faqs.
- Unboxing The Ordinary Glycolic Acid
- What is The Ordinary Glycolic Acid?
- What does Glycolic Acid do?
- How and when do I use Glycolic Acid?
- Which products do the Glycolic Acid conflict with?
- Size of Glycolic Acid
- PAO of Glycolic Acid
- Other uses for Glycolic Acid
- Photos of authentic Glycolic Acid
- All your FAQs about The Ordinary Glycolic Acid
- Polls
- Reviews of The Ordinary Glycolic Acid
- Check the price in your currency here.
Unboxing The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Toner
Unboxing The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Toner.
What is The Ordinary Glycolic Acid & What Does It Do?
Glycolic Acid is an AHA, which stands for Alpha Hydroxy Acid. AHAs exfoliate the top surface of the skin. Exfoliating the top surface of the skin promotes radiance and improves texture.
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid contains Tasmanian Pepperberry derivative, which helps reduce irritation acids can often cause. It also contains ginseng root and aloe vera, which are great for radiance and skin soothing.
You may have also heard about BHAs (Salicylic acid). BHAs go deeper into the pores, so The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% (both AHA & BHA) is a top-rated product because it targets the top surface and travels deeper into the pores.
When & How Do I Use The Ordinary Glycolic Acid?
- It is best to use this in the evenings.
- After cleansing, apply some Glycolic Acid to a cotton pad and wipe over your face and neck, avoiding your eye area. You could use your hands too.
- You can continue with your skincare routine. It is important to check The Ordinary Conflicts. Conflicting products can be used in alternate routines by using one in the morning and one in the evenings or on alternate days.
- It is important to patch-test products.
- Do not use Glycolic Acid if you have sensitive, peeling or compromised skin.
What does Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Toner do to the skin?
- Exfoliating toner
- Dullness
- Uneven Tone
- Textural Irregularities
Glycolic Acid Conflicts
It is best to avoid using the following products in the same routine as The Ordinary Glycolic Acid. They can be used in alternate routines morning/evening.
- Peptides & Copper Peptides
- Retinol/Retinoids
- EUK 134
- Direct Acids
- Direct Vitamin C
- The Ordinary products you can and cannot mix
Other Uses For Glycolic Acid
Glycolic Acid is so versatile. People use this on their scalp, on their legs (strawberry legs), tops of their arms and on their heels. The Ordinary now sell Glycolic Acid in a collection called The Hair & Scalp Collection, with The Ordinary Multi-Peptide for Hair Density. You save 10% buying the bundle.
Photos of The Ordinary Glycolic Acid purchased from The Ordinary
There are often concerns about whether the product is authentic or not. I advise you only buy through one of the many authorised stockists online, and you can read more about The Ordinary fakes here. This product was purchased from Deciem, and you can see the bottle, the text, the colour of the product and the consistency.
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Polls
- 85% of the #deciemaddicts love it
- 80% say it has improved their skin
- 81% will repurchase it
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Reviews
I have Dehydrated / Normal Skin. “This is a nice gentle exfoliating toner. I personally prefer not to use exfoliants daily, so I use this when needed, but it keeps my skin even and clear.” – Rachael @rachiecandice
“I have tried this and the Pixi version and found them to be comparable. They both didn’t do much for my skin. Now I use the glycolic to try and get rid of milia at the top of my cheeks!” – Jess @sk.insta.story
“I give Glycolic Acid 4/5. You sting like hell but only for about 30 seconds. You’ve made my skin so smooth and glowy. I recommend ppl only use hydrating products after you.” – N.N.T.
More Reviews
“I really really wanted this to be a 5/5. And it still could move up to 5/5. I’ve been using it twice a week and now up to 10 minutes. From the comments I’ve read here, I expected my skin to be smooth and glowing because it would get rid of the dryness I get from using Granactive 5%. My skin just looks ok in the morning, and my lower cheeks are dry by 2pm and my upper cheeks by 4pm. But I still give it a 4/5.” – T.K.
“Marla says: “Love it! I feel like my skin is so incredibly smooth. The Ordinary has done amazing things for my skin, and I am so thankful! After battling acne since I was 11, this 27-year-old finally has skin good enough to show off :)” – Marla
“Absolutely love this product, it works so great for me, it definitely improved the overall look of my skin, and I love how soft my skin feels after using the toner😍 I’ll definitely repurchase it 😍” – thebeautyaddict.deI
“It’s a gentle exfoliator, doesn’t leave your skin feeling dry or stripped, I can see results almost immediately (that glow!), you get tons of product for the price, and there’s no strong fragrance.” – glamlifelights
Frequently Asked Questions About The Ordinary Glycolic Acid
Some of these questions have been answered by The Ordinary on Social Media.
1..What does The Ordinary Glycolic Acid do? This is a superficial alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) peeling formulation that targets uneven tone, textural irregularities, and fine lines. We recommend avoiding unprotected solar exposure, gradually incorporating one new product into your regimen at a time and applying test patches first to see what works best for your skin.
2. Can this product be used in the morning routine? Glycolic Acid is best used in the evening as it can cause sun sensitivity.
3. How many times a week can I use it? It can be used daily, but it is recommended to start slowly using it once or twice a week. See how your skin looks and feels.
4. Can I The Ordinary Glycolic Acid with Niacinamide? Yes, you can.
5. Can we use Glycolic Acid for dark circles under the eyes? We don’t suggest using Direct Acids around the eyes. You may wish to explore Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG. Updated: There is also The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Eye Serum and NIOD FECC.
6. Can I use at the same time hyaluronic acid? Yes, you can use Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 after the Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution.
7. Does Glycolic Acid work for inflammatory pimples? Please note that Glycolic Acid is an Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) and should not be used on sensitive, peeling or compromised skin.
More FAQS about Glycolic Acid
8. Can The Ordinary Glycolic Acid be used on black skin? I heard a derm say it’s too strong for our skin and that mandelic acid is better because it’s more gentle. It’s suitable for all skin types, but if you’re new to direct acids, the Mandelic Acid offers a more mild option. We also recommend avoiding unprotected sun exposure and applying SPF regularly with use.
9. For normal to dry skin, how frequently should I use Glycolic Acid? You may wish to start off with 2-3 times a week.
10. Can I pair Glycolic Acid with a moisturiser? If yes, then how much time should I account for in between the application of The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Toner 7% and a moisturiser? Yes, you can apply a moisturizer after. Please note there is no need to wait a certain amount of time in between the application of products.
11. It’s Glycolic Acid ok to use in the summer? Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution should only be used in your PM routine. We recommend avoiding unprotected solar exposure and frequently reapplying sunscreen (every 2 hours), especially with the use of Direct Acids/Retinol/Retinoids. You may wish to explore Mineral UV Filters SPF 30 with Antioxidants or Mineral UV Filters SPF 15 with Antioxidants for protection. Both are mineral sunscreens that offer UVB protection of SPF 15 or 30 as well as antioxidant support.
12. Can I apply this Glycolic toner before applying your The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum + HA? No, we suggest using Multi-Peptide Serum + HA & Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution in separate regimens.
13. Is Glycolic good for oily skin? Yes! We recommend using up to 3x per week.
More Faqs about Glycolic Acid
14. How do you suggest applying Glycolic Acid? With fingers or a cotton pad? You can do it either way.
15. Can Glycolic be used on the scalp to exfoliate? Please note this product has been specifically formulated and tested for use on the face. If you wish to use it elsewhere, we strongly recommend applying a small test patch before proceeding.
16. Is Glycolic Acid safe if you´re pregnant? We do not test our products on pregnant/nursing women. Hence, we cannot provide any confirmation on that aspect. It is best to consult your physician in advance before use just to be on the safe side.
17. Does Glycolic help with cystic acne? Just as a note – none of our products can be considered medical treatments for acne, so we suggest consulting with your physician to see what may work best for your skin.
18. Can I use Alpha Arbutin and Niacinamide with Glycolic Acid? Yes, you may.
19. Why can’t I buy Glycolic Acid in Canada? There are certain Deciem products which are unavailable in some countries due to regulations, and this is one of them. You may find other stockists will ship to these countries.
20. Can I use Glycolic Acid on my feet? Quite a few of the Deciem Addicts do use glycolic acid on their feet and swear by it.
21. Is it possible to use The Ordinary Glycolic Acid as a deodorant? I personally use it as a deodorant, but I do give my skin a break from it every so often. Do your own research and try it out for yourself. Let us know how you get on by leaving a comment in the Deciem Chat Room.
More Faqs
22. Can I use The Ordinary Glycolic toner for sensitive skin? This formula should not be used on sensitive, peeling or compromised skin. For a milder solution, you may prefer to try The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA. This is a superficial alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) peeling formulation that targets uneven tone, textural irregularities, and fine lines. Its larger molecular weight allows mandelic acid to penetrate the skin slower and is suitable for all skin types. We recommend avoiding unprotected solar exposure, gradually incorporating one new product into your regimen at a time and applying test patches first to see what works best for your skin.
23. Can I Glycolic Acid after the AHA 30% Peeling Solution? We suggest alternating between them to avoid irritation.
24. Can I use The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% zinc 1% after Glycolic Acid? Yes
25. Is it ok to use The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Toner every day (PM) or it could lead to over-exfoliating? Glycolic Acid can certainly be applied daily
More Faqs
26. Can I use Glycolic Acid with the Granactive Retinoid in Squalane? We would recommend using them on alternate evenings!
27. I use The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide daily. Then once a week, I use the peeling solution. Where would I fit Glycolic Acid in? You may incorporate The Glycolic Acid in alternating PM routines as The Peeling Solution if you wish.
28. Can I use Glycolic Acid with Alpha Arbutin for my acne treatment? Yes, you may. Just as a note – none of our products can be considered medical treatments for acne, so we suggest consulting with your physician to see what may work best for your skin.
29. Why can’t I use The Ordinary Glycolic Acid with certain products?
Glycolic Acid is part of the Direct Acid family, it is not so friendly with products that contain peptides or EUK 134. We also recommend avoiding the use of retinoids alongside direct acids if you are an inexperienced user of either. We would not recommend combining direct acids with peptides due to the susceptibility of peptides to hydrolysis (which breaks the bonds between peptides, reducing their efficacy and making them into individual amino acids).
At low pH, the peptides undergo processes such as deamidation (the removal of an amide group) and oxidation, which compromise the activity of the peptides. Having said that, if you have previously combined peptides with acids and have not experienced any negative side effects or discolouration, you may continue to combine the two products as so that the combination does not pose any potential harm. Our recommendations are meant to serve as a preventative measure to avoid incompatibility between those combinations and because skin tolerance is subjective.
The Ordinary Acids – How To Choose Which One?
There are 9 Ordinary Acids, and choosing which is best for you may be difficult. You may find The Ordinary Acids Guide useful, where you can see all The Ordinary Acids on one page.
- AHA 30%
- Azelaic Acid
- Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Toner
- Lactic Acid 5%
- Lactic Acid 10%
- Mandelic Acid
- Salicylic Acid 2%
- Salicylic Acid Anhydrous Solution
- Salicylic Acid Masque
Final Thoughts On Glycolic Acid
85% of the Deciem Addicts love Glycolic Acid, and 80% have seen an improvement in their skin. 83% said they had no issues using this product, and a huge 81% will be repurchasing it. This, along with the AHA 30% + BHA 2%, are the 2 most popular acids in the Facebook Group.
If you try this and decide you don´t like it for your face, there are many other uses for this. You can use it on your scalp, soles of feet and even as a deodorant.
Tell Us What You Think!
We hope you found this page about Glycolic Acid useful. On that note, we now invite you to share your personal experiences or queries about Glycolic Acid. Join the conversation and become a part of our community at Deciem Chat Room.
