 Hey Guys! Many of you on Instagram asked me about how I use The Ordinary’s Glycolic Acid Toner! The Toner is available at Cult Beauty / Beauty Bay/ Selfridges/ Look Fantastic / Sephora / Skin Store In this post, I will be providing a review + then elaborating on all the different ways I have used this product!! Review: Price: £6.80 Volume: 240ml (A nice big bottle – I don’t think you would run out really quick!) What is it: A 7% Glycolic Acid Toner containing antioxidants + soothing ingredients (to try and ease the irritation of using an acid). What does it do: This toner provides mild exfoliation to improve the texture + look of the skin, to ”clear” the skin with continued use. pH: 3.5-3.7 (so quite acidic! This is why you usually get stinging / uncomfortableness when applying an acid product). Key Ingredients: Ginseng Root Extract, Tasmanian Berry extract (Antioxidants) Glycolic Acid (The exfoliant). Glycerin, Aspartic Acid, Alanine, Glycine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Arginine, Urea (Skin-identical, so barrier-reinforcing). Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water, Sucrose (Soothing). Note: The derivative of Tasmanian Pepperberry as well as Ginseng root and Aloe Vera help reduce irritation + soothe the skin. You can see the liquid itself has a tint to it – it reminds me of vinegar Full ingredients list: Aqua (Water), Glycolic Acid, Rosa damascena flower water, Centaurea cyanus flower water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Triethanolamine, Aminomethyl Propanol, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract, Aspartic Acid, Alanine, Glycine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Glutamic Acid, Arginine, PCA, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Fructose, Glucose, Sucrose, Urea, Hexyl Nicotinate, Dextrin, Citric Acid, Polysorbate 20, Gellan Gum, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Chloride, Hexylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol.
Directions: What it does: Glycolic Acid is the AHA. It exfoliates the skin (causes it to shed faster). This is a 7% Glycolic Acid Toner (I would not recommend to sensitive skins when using for the face). It exfoliates the skin to improve its overall look and simply makes it look clearer and SOFTENs the skin’s texture with CONTINUED use. Even the Ordinary state that this shouldn’t be used on sensitive, peeling or compromised skin. And of course when using AHAs – SPF must be used! There is a myth that you can’t use AHAs in the daytime – you can, you just need to wear SPF too (however Deciem state this toner should be used in the PM). Directions: For use in the PM, no more than once a day and after cleansing the face. (Read The Ordinary Safety Advice HERE). I wouldn’t use this on the face more than 2-3 times a week (at least when I’m building up tolerance) because I have sensitive skin. How long until you see results?: You can notice a change in one’s complexion after a few days (more glowing skin) with consistent use (especially if you’re using higher % AHAs), but it takes months to really see an anti-ageing result in terms of reducing the look of lines/wrinkles. Some people say 4-6 months and others say you should notice within 1-2 months. Fragrance?: This has no additional fragrance / essential oils. But I do find that glycolic toners usually smell like vinegar (probably due to the low pH). Why I like it: As stated previously – Glycolic acid helps shed the outermost layer of the skin, to reveal softer and less rough skin. Therefore it can help with clogged pores (i.e. blackheads) through shedding. It can also help reduce the chance of scabs becoming scars (so it helps with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation). With this specific product, I do like that soothing ingredients were added to try and lessen the irritation associated with acid use. The properties of glycolic acid make this product very useful for many different occasions! What I like:
What I don’t like:
– So overall, This is a great product for the price I think! It’s just not really suited (on the face) for those who have reactive skins, sensitised skin barriers and who generally can’t use acids on the whole. However I think it’s great for many other uses, I love the product dispenser (i.e. the thin, twisting nozzle), and I think this is a great body product! A QUICK TIP: MAKE YOUR OWN PAD TUB. So you know how COSRX have Cica Pads and Exfoliating Pads in Tubs? Well if you have an empty tub, simply place cotton pads (even the very thin 1/2 Asian ones (like these), so it saves space/product, or you can squash fat cotton pads so they become thinner to waste less) in that tub and then pour some of this glycolic acid toner into the tub. Let it soak into the cotton pads (so make sure you put enough – but not too much that it becomes soup). And then you have DIY, easy to travel with AHA pads to use anytime (i.e. on a plane etc). NOTE: With these pre-soaked pads, you can do all the uses down below (or simply apply the Glycolic toner straight onto a cotton pad and then swipe the skin (or just drip onto the body part you want, rub in and leave to dry! How I use it / The Many Different Uses for this Solution! Use 1: Obviously, as a toner!
Saturate a cotton pad and swipe across the face + neck (and do not wash off). But you must be able to withstand 7% Glycolic Acid on the face – I am not, so I do not use this product as a face toner, but that doesn’t mean I can’t use it! there are many other tougher/rougher patches of skin all over the body that isn’t as sensitive as my face….so here are the other ways I use it!: Use 2: To tackle Armpit Smell (Acid deodorant):
I like to apply this under the armpit after a shower (BUT NOT ON DAYS WHEN I HAVE SHAVED, unless you want your armpit to stinng!) either with a pre-soaked cotton pad, a freshly saturated cotton pad, or simply just rubbing a bit of the toner in with my fingers. It does take time for this product to do its work, so you must be consistent. Once again my skin is quite sensitive, so I use this twice a week (if your skin can tolerate it then this can be applied on more days), And this requires continued use. (ALSO!!! Doing this also helps with ingrown hair bumps! + Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) under the arms due to shaving / rubbing). Use 3: As a ”hard skin” softener! – As this is an exfoliant, AHA helps to reduce hard / rough / textured skin by increasing cell turnover and shedding the outermost layer of the skin (in this case, the hard – tough layer) to reveal softer, smoother skin. So, I apply this to the harder areas of skin around the body.
a. On the Knees: I use this to soften and reduce the ashy look of the knees! The knees are quite tough, so I can use this 3 times a week (but this depends on your sensitivity). But it once again, takes about a month to see some good changes (but make sure to moisturise for the effect to be even more visible!). b. On the Elbows: The elbows are also quite dark and rough, so I would also repeat the same actions with the knees, to the elbows. The Acid should help soften the skin, remove the hard, dead skin cells and also help brighten the area. Once again, I recommend moisturising as well and with continued use, to get good results. c. On the toes: My toes get rough skin / darkness due to rubbing in shoes/ trainers – SO, what I do is saturate a cotton pad and swipe the skin with Glycolic Acid. It’s kind of hard to moisturise the toes / feet for me without slipping and sliding all over the floor, so I depend on the acid to keep the skin in check. Once again this requires continued use – I do it about once every three days. Use 4: On the back of the arms! – Keratosis pilaris is a condition where you get what looks like, chicken bumps on the skin. They’re a dead-skin build up which form bumps. But I know that I get them confused with in-grown hair bumps sometimes. I find that Lactic Acid is very effective too! (My Review of the Ordinary’s Lactic Acid Serum is HERE). HOWEVER Lactic acid is weaker and suited for more sensitive skins, or for first-timers, so perhaps using the 5% Lactic Acid for the bumps on the back of arms (KP), and then moving onto 10% LA, and then the 7% Glycolic Acid Toner because Glycolic acid is a stronger acid exfoliant – although it is more potentially irritating, it should give visible results quicker. But I think working up to a higher % can be beneficial for those who are easily irritated. So what I do for the bumps on the back of the arms, I simply swipe with a cotton pad after a shower and leave the product to absorb / dry. I also like to follow with a light weight moisturiser (to help reduce the dry bumps). I do this every other day or once every 3 days depending on the skin’s sensitivity. Requires continued use – I didn’t get visible result until about 3-4 weeks. ALSO this can be used on one’s backside if you have Keratosis Pilaris on the buttocks, which can happen! Use 5: Where there are ingrown hairs OR BUMPS i.e. the bikini line / buttocks / shaving bumps:
This definitely takes dedication and continued use, but you need to be in touch with the skin and make sure you’re not over-exfoliating, it’s not also stinging when you’re shaving, otherwise you’ve overdone it. I don’t moisturise when I use this product on in-grown bumps, but I use moisturiser on KP (because that involves dry skin and ingrown hairs are less about dry skin and more about skin clogging up hair pores). I’d do this once every 3 days (but it depends on people’s preference as the skin can feel sensitive if over-exfoliation occurs, especially if you’re applying this on the bikini line – underwear could rub against the sensitised skin, so take it slow!), I think one could see a difference in a month with continued use. Use 6: In the Ears!:
I do every 3 days and then when it looks better, I ease up to once a week. Use 7: The Scalp! – Dandruff is due to a dry scalp, so to help alleviate this – some good old acid exfoliation can help by lifting that dead layer of skin cells and reducing itching. I find this a good alternative to scalp scrubs (which can remove dry skin from the scalp, but it can also leave the scalp still looking flaky). Chemical exfoliants help remove a build-up of products (i.e. dry shampoos and creams etc) which can also cause those painful bumps on the scalp (by blocking pores). Alpha hydroxy acids such as glycolic acid are very good at removing dead skin cells from the skin’s surface and have numerous beneficial properties for the hair and scalp. I use this on dry hair before a shower. I use the tip of the bottle (it has a nifty, easy to use nozzle with this particular bottle), and apply all over the scalp. I massage this with the fingers. I typically do this every 2 weeks – it depends how my scalp is feeling. I leave this on for about 10~15 minutes, and this product does tingle on the scalp. Then I wash it off in the shower. I then move onto my shampoo + conditioner. Also, my scalp doesn’t feel sore afterwards (my advice is to not do this treatment too much as it may cause the scalp to feel quite sensitive). Dupes?: From Geek&Gorgeous, The Smooth Out Exfoliating liquid: HERE This is a strong exfoliant, containing 12% AHA (so 5% stronger than this toner) So I would say definitely be careful when using (i.e. perhaps twice a month if you’re very sensitive). Or for more Sensitive Skins – Mandelic Acid (a gentler AHA) to exfoliate the skin: From Wishtrend, the Mandelic Acid Solution: My Review HERE Yesstyle Purchase Link: HERE (Discount Code: CVQFZA) Stylevana Link: HERE / UK Website HERE (Discount Code: SAHANNAH) (I will say that I still find this Wishtrend Solution quite strong, so I would definitely space out the use of this AND I would not recommend to those with acneic skin / open sores, because it will sting). The Geek and Gorgeous Cheer Up Exfoliating Liquid: HERE This contains Mandelic Acid + Salicylic acid but still provides gentle exfoliation (I’ve been using it and have been enjoying it as it doesn’t sting when I apply to the skin. I apply every 3 days). My Skin Type: I am acne prone and have slightly dehydrated combo skin. My skin is usually tight where the cheeks and eye area is and the outer parts of my face. My T zone is oily. My skin isn’t a fan of thick/heavy formulas so I opt for lightweight formulas to prevent it from clogging up. My skin doesn’t like essential oils either and I try to avoid fragrance when I can. Disclaimer: I am a skincare enthusiast and not a skin expert. I am not qualified to give out dermatological advice. This type of advice should only be given by a medical practitioner. Upon trying / using any of the reviewed products on the blog, please follow the manufacturer’s instructions and warnings and please seek medical advice if needed. Follow me on Instagram! @myskincareregime Note: I earn a small commission when you purchase through affiliate links, which helps me purchase products for review + also help improve the Blog! If you would like to support me, thank you ever so much! and if not, that’s fine – I hope you enjoy my posts! 🙂 Can I use The Ordinary toner everyday?Don't use it daily otherwise you risk damaging your skin barrier by over-exfoliating. Do not apply it on damp skin! Glycolic Acid increases sensitivity towards the sun so a good sunscreen is mandatory.
When should we use toner?The short answer is "it goes after cleansing," according to Amy Wechsler, a dermatologist based in New York City. She recommends including toner in both your day and night skin-care routines. To get more specific, you should use toner after you double cleanse and exfoliate your skin, both Cho and Chang agree.
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