Want glowing, smooth skin? The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner might be your new affordable skincare bestie!
This toner is a budget-friendly superstar in skincare because it uses glycolic acid, a powerful ingredient that exfoliates your skin to make it look brighter and feel softer and smoother.
I love finding ways to multitask my skincare using a single product and in this post, I’ll be sharing how I use The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Toner 5 different ways for a head to toe exfoliation experience.
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What Is Glycolic Acid and Why Do You Need It In Your Skincare Routine?
Glycolic acid is a type of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that comes from sugar cane. It’s super tiny, which means it can sink deep into your skin to gently remove dead skin cells. This process is called exfoliation and it helps your skin look clearer, smoother, brighter and more radiant. The Ordinary’s Glycolic Acid 7% exfoliating toner also includes soothing ingredients like Tasmanian Pepperberry, aloe vera, and ginseng to keep your skin calm and happy.
Glycolic acid toning is great because it tackles a ton of skin concerns, like dullness, uneven texture, dark spots and even fine lines. Whether you’re dealing with acne scars or rough patches, this toner can help. Personally, I’ve used glycolic acid for years to exfoliate my face and it is a skincare must for a stunning complexion.
Just remember, exfoliation needs to be done properly and sensitive skin types or skin that’s not used to exfoliation can experience redness, dryness and irritation if exfoliation is done too often, and/or if the exfoliant being using is too strong.
If you’re an exfoliation beginner, start with a gentle exfoliant (5% acid content or less) and use it only 1-2 times per week – evening skincare routine only! Only after observing how your skin reacts to exfoliation should you consider increasing use or increasing the strength of the exfoliant. Your skin will very quickly tell you whether it’s happy with it or not!
How I Use The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Toner 5 Different Ways!
Here’s the fun part: this toner isn’t just for your face! You can use it in different ways to improve your skin and hair. Below, we’ll break down how to use glycolic acid toner for various purposes.
1. Apply It To Your Face And Neck
Using The Ordinary glycolic acid toner on your face and neck is the most commonly known way to get glowing skin. This toner smooths out rough texture, fades dark spots, and makes your skin look brighter. It’s also the most common method of applying this toner.
Not sure how to use a glycolic acid exfoliating toner for your face? Just follow these steps below:
Step 1: Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and pat it dry.
Step 2: Pour a small amount of the toner onto a cotton pad or into the palm of your hand (which is my favorite application method!)
Step 3: Gently swipe the toner across your face and neck. Avoid your eye area! The skin around the eyes is thinner and much more sensitive.
Step 4: Let it sink in, then follow with a moisturizer to lock in hydration.
Step 5: Use it at night to avoid sun sensitivity, and always wear sunscreen in the morning whether you have exfoliated or not.
2. Apply It To Your Scalp
Did you know you can use The Ordinary glycolic acid on your scalp? It’s a great scalp exfoliator because it helps remove buildup and dead skin, which can reduce dryness and make your scalp healthier, which is super important for growing strong, healthy hair.
I like to apply it to my scalp and massage it in once per week to get rid of any dry, flaky bits. Apply it to dry hair and spread it around your scalp and leave it on for 5-10 minutes then rinse it out. This method is great for keeping your scalp hydrated and balanced.
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3. Apply It To Your Body
Got bumpy skin on your arms, legs, or back? Dry elbows and knees? The glycolic acid 7% exfoliating toner can help remove these flaky bits for softer skin underneath. It’s perfect for getting rid of conditions like keratosis pilaris (those little red bumps you get on your arms and thighs) or strawberry legs (dark pores on the legs).
You can also use the toner to brighten skin that has developed dark spots from sun damage – think areas like your chest, back, arms or legs. Personally, I love pouring it into a spray bottle to make it easy to apply it on my back, the back of my arms and legs and on my heels to fight dry skin head to toe.
This is a game-changer for smoothing out your skin and is a simple way to get glowing skin from head to toe using an exfoliating toner. For best results, apply it to clean skin and be sure to wear sunscreen on any areas you exfoliated the following day, as it will make your skin more sensitive to sun damage.
Tip: Pour your glycolic toner into a spray bottle and use that bottle to spray the toner in those hard to reach places instead of using your hands or a cotton pad. You’re welcome!
4. Brighten and Deodorize Underarms
Dark underarms, ingrown hairs or body odor? Using The Ordinary glycolic acid for your underarms can help! The toner exfoliates to brighten the skin and may reduce odor by clearing out dead skin and bacteria. For best results, make sure your underarms are clean and dry, and be sure to avoid applying it after shaving or waxing, or you will be sorry (it will burn like hell!).
Note: Always do a patch test first, as underarm skin can be sensitive! Burning underarms is never a good feeling.
5. Exfoliate Your Heels: Soften Cracked Feet
ONe of my fave ways to use The Ordinary Glycolic Acid is on my super dry heels. Cracked heels can be tough to fix, but glycolic acid can help by exfoliating dry, dead skin. This makes it easier for moisturizers to work to hydrate the skin and keep them from getting super dry going forward. I apply the toner onto my heels right after a shower when the skin there is still a bit moist to help it break down the dead skin cells more easily.
This is a great way to get soft, smooth feet that are ready for the beach or an open-backed shoe. This toner won’t fix your dry heels overnight, so be sure to use it regularly and you will definitely see results. If you want a super quick way to remove dry, cracked skin on your heels, I recommend an exfoliating foot peel – I had baby soft heels within a week! Just be prepared for some serious peeling.
RELATED READING: HOW TO STORE YOUR SKINCARE PROPERLY
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Tips for Safe and Effective Use of Acid Exfoliants
To make the most of how to use glycolic acid 7% exfoliating toner (or any exfoliating product, for that matter!) always keep these tips in mind:
Patch Test: Always test the toner on a small area of skin first, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Avoid Sensitive Areas: Don’t use it on broken, peeling, or irritated skin, and steer clear of your eyes.
Sunscreen Is a Must: Glycolic acid makes your skin more sensitive to the sun, so wear SPF during the day.
Don’t Overdo It: Applying too much toner or exfoliating too often can irritate your skin. Only exfoliate as often as your skin can tolerate it!
Avoid Mixing: Don’t use the toner with other strong exfoliants like retinoids, peeling solutions or other acids on the same day.
- Easy Application: Exfoliating toner pads or pouring your toner into a spray bottle are great ways to make applying your exfoliating toner quick and easy.
Why You’ll Love This Toner Like I Do
The Ordinary’s Glycolic acid 7% exfoliating toner is affordable, easy to use, and works for so many skin concerns and is definitely one of my most favorite affordable skincare produts.
Whether you’re aiming for a radiant face, a healthy scalp, or smooth legs, The Ordinary glycolic acid can fit into any skincare routine.
Ready to try glycolic acid toning? Start slow, follow the steps for how to use glycolic acid toner, and watch your skin transform.
With regular use, you’ll be on your way to how to get glowing skin with an exfoliating toner in no time!
Have you tried The Ordinary’s toner? It’s a skincare gem!
