This toner replaced my face and scalp exfoliator and even my deodorant

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner, basically does what it says on the tin. It exfoliates the dead skin cells, leaving a smoother complexion, it helps with hyperpigmentation, sun spots and fine lines. It can also unclog the pores, helping with acne and it’s believed to stimulate collagen over time, per Dr. Aiza Jamil.

“Glycolic acid works by breaking down the bonds between dead skin cells on the surface of the skin. Although these cells are no longer active, they remain stuck together. Glycolic acid dissolves the “cement” between them, allowing the skin to shed them more easily. This reveals fresher, newer-looking skin underneath,” said Dr. Ahmed El Muntasar.

This toner, like many of its kind, is a clear-ish liquid that is best applied with a cotton pad or with your fingers. It’s a non-rinse product that can be used once a day, ideally at night, on the face, neck and décolletage, as well as the scalp and body.

The magic of this product lies in its incredible multi-use capabilities, thanks to its simple ingredients (more on those later) and its handy packaging, featuring a pointy screw-top cap.

The brand recommends using this product for the face as well as keratosis pilaris on the body, on elbows or hands, as a self-tan remover and ingrown hair prevention. Generally, it can be applied to any areas of the body with a rough or bumpy skin texture. Dr. Ahmed El Muntasar agrees; “Glycolic acid can be particularly helpful for areas prone to rough texture or pigmentation, such as the neck, décolletage and body, when introduced gradually and used correctly.”

Glycolic acid has many benefits, and it's best suited to seasoned acid users. If it’s your first foray into exfoliating products, or you have sensitive skin, I recommend starting slow and steady, using it once or twice a week, observing how your skin is.

Dr Ahmed El Muntasar agrees: “[Using such a product] around two to three times per week is ideal. If you’re new to glycolic acid, it’s best to start once weekly and build up gradually to reduce the risk of irritation.”

“It is better to start slow and build up a tolerance, rather than jumping straight in and using it too frequently, which can damage the skin barrier and lead to irritation, inflammation and further skin complications,” Dr. Aiza Jamil told me.

Topical acid usage is a marathon, not a race!

The two main ingredients in this formula are: glycolic acid, in a 7% concentration, paired with a plant extract, a derivative of Tasmanian Pepperberry. This is an antioxidant and soothing ingredient, that can minimise the potential irritation of the glycolic.

According to the brand, the pH of 3.6 offers the optimal balance between salt and acidity for the skin.

This toner also includes Ginseng Root extract, which is antioxidant, glycerin, which is hydrating, as well as Cornflower Flower Water, a distilled water that soothes the skin.

‘Frequency of use really depends on the concentration of the product and personal skin tolerance. For low concentrations of around 5% to 7%, I would recommend using around 2 to 3 times per week,” said Dr. Aiza Jamil.

“If you are combining actives in your routine, I would recommend using on alternate days rather than layering on the same days” said Dr. Aiza Jamil, which is what I normally do – can I get a gold star?

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.

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.

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.

Per the doctors I spoke to, full results for a topical acid product usually take two to four weeks, sometimes longer.

“Immediately after the first use, you can usually feel that your skin is smoother and it appears visibly brighter, whereas between two to four weeks, you can expect to see more improvement in texture and a boost in radiance. Then, with more consistent use, around week 8 to 12, you should see an improvement in the pigmentation and fine lines,” said Dr. Aiza Jamil.

For me, yes this product really works, the price and packaging is good and I love how multi-use it is, replacing other products in my hair and body care routine as well. Overall it’s a great product. Personally, and according to the doctors’ recommendation, I find daily usage to be too much, especially as I use topical retinoids. I will continue using this toner a couple times per week for my face/neck/décolletage, my body and as a deodorant, daily.

As with most skincare products, don’t expect overnight results; take it slow and see how it goes.