The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% – My Honest Review + Tips for First-Time AHA Users

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The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% – My Honest Review + Tips for First-Time AHA Users

If you’ve been thinking of adding a chemical exfoliant to your routine, you’ve probably heard of The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution. It’s a cult favourite — but it’s also not for the faint of heart! Here's what you need to know before trying this spicy toner.

🧴 What is It?

This is a liquid exfoliating toner that contains:

  • 7% Glycolic Acid – an AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) that helps resurface the skin, improve texture, and fade dark spots

  • Tasmanian Pepperberry Extract – helps reduce irritation

  • Aloe Vera & Ginseng – to soothe and hydrate

It's designed to:

  • Remove dead skin cells

  • Unclog pores

  • Brighten dull skin

  • Improve skin texture and clarity

🌿 What Skin Types Can Use It?

Glycolic Acid is best for:

  • Normal to oily skin

  • Dull or uneven skin tone

  • People dealing with rough texture, hyperpigmentation, or bumpy skin

⚠️ Not ideal for:

  • Very sensitive skin (can cause stinging, peeling, or redness)

  • If you're already using strong actives like retinol, vitamin C, or benzoyl peroxide

  • Compromised or barrier-damaged skin

✨ How I Used It (Application Tips)

Use it only at night, 1-2 times a week (or less if you're new to acids).

🔄 How I apply it:

  • Soak a cotton pad and sweep over clean, dry skin

  • Avoid eye area, broken skin, and corners of the nose

  • Follow with a calming serum and moisturizer

💡 Pro Tips:

  • Always wear sunscreen the next day (your skin will be more sun-sensitive)

  • Don’t mix with other strong actives (retinol, AHA/BHA, vitamin C)

  • Start slow: 1x a week if you're a beginner

🌸 My Honest Review

Let me just say… this is my second staple from The Ordinary! (The first was Niacinamide — read my review here if you haven’t already 👀)

It’s definitely strong — but when used properly, it can seriously transform your skin.

I have dehydrated but oily skin, and I introduced this toner slowly — just once a week at night. I made sure to avoid other strong actives on the same night to prevent over-exfoliation, and I always follow up with a hydrating serum and moisturizer to soothe the skin and prevent irritation.

💡 Fun tip: I actually noticed that the skincare I apply after using this sinks in better, so I usually follow it with my “good” products — you know, the expensive ones 😂

The first time I used it, I felt a mild tingling (which I actually loved — it made me feel like it was doing something!). But make sure that tingling goes away quickly — if it lingers, it might be too strong for your skin 😦

After just a few uses:

  • My skin felt noticeably smoother

  • Texture on my cheeks and jawline softened

  • It visibly brightened my skin overnight

  • It really helped minimize fresh scars and reduce pigmentation for me

That said, I wouldn’t recommend this to beginners with super sensitive skin. It’s better to build up tolerance slowly and avoid it completely if your skin barrier is compromised.

🔥 Bonus Uses (That Actually Work)

This toner is not just for your face — and that’s another reason I love it.

  • ✅ As a deodorant toner – I use it on my underarms and it genuinely helps with odor and lightens dark spots

  • ✅ On my elbows and knees – helps fade dark patches

  • ✅ On my scalp – I’ve used it to cleanse my scalp before wash day, especially if I feel product buildup (I just pour it directly to my scalp with the provided nozzle)

In short: It works. Start slow, hydrate after, and never forget sunscreen the next day.

🛒 Where to Buy

Here are some of the places I usually buy this product from — depending on stock, price, and shipping:

  • Adore Beauty AU – official Aussie retailer, free shipping over $50 ✅
  • Amazon AU – often fast delivery, especially for Prime users
  • Stylevana – K-beauty focused, usually cheaper but slower shipping
  • YesStyle – similar to Stylevana, good for multi-product hauls

🧼 Final Thoughts

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% is a strong but effective toner that can improve texture, brighten skin, and unclog pores — if used carefully. It’s not for everyday use and definitely not for beginners with sensitive skin. Start slow, hydrate after, and never skip SPF the next day!

This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them — at no extra cost to you. I only share products I truly believe in 💖

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