The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner
Evidence-led ingredient analysis, a transparent clean score out of 100 and cleaner, effective alternatives at three price levels.
The Ordinary
Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner
Skincare · Budget: £11.50
4.7 (28,000 reviews)· across Boots, LookFantastic, Cult Beauty, Sephora UK, Amazon UK, The Ordinary
Ingredients: AI-inferred — not yet verified
An effective, high-value exfoliating toner featuring 7% glycolic acid balanced by soothing amino acids and Tasmanian Pepperberry. Note: This analysis is based on the inferred standard published formulation for this product as an explicit list was not provided.
Hazard categories
Estimated score out of 100
Formulation score is fixed across Selenssa · Community effectiveness awaiting more reports
Based on publicly available ingredients, following our methodology. Not medical advice — always check the physical label, especially for allergies. How we score →
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Recommended for users seeking an accessible, fragrance-free chemical exfoliant for texture, dullness, or body roughness. Introduce gradually (1-3 times weekly) and always apply broad-spectrum sunscreen during the day.
Be cautious if
Sensitive, reactive, or barrier-damaged skin types, as well as individuals looking to avoid ethanolamine-derived pH adjusters.
Against your clean standard
Yes. While it contains Triethanolamine and an ethoxylated emulsifier, these are within safe regulatory limits and the product avoids major hazardous additives, artificial colours, parabens, and undisclosed fragrance.
Where this score comes from
- Source
- No source record on file yet
- Source page
- —
- Retrieved
- —
- Evidence snapshot
- Not captured
Score history
No score changes have been recorded for this product yet.
Think something here is wrong? Report a correction · How we score
Does The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner contain parabens, sulfates or fragrance?
A straight yes or no for the ingredient groups people most often want to avoid, checked against this product's published formulation.
Free from parabens
Preservatives; the longer-chain ones (propyl, butyl) carry the endocrine questions.
Free from sulfates (sls / sles)
Strong cleansing agents that can strip a compromised barrier.
Free from silicones
Slip and occlusion; cyclic silicones (D4/D5/D6) are the environmentally restricted ones.
Free from fragrance / parfum
Undisclosed fragrance blends are the most common trigger for sensitised skin.
Free from essential oils
Naturally derived, but among the most frequently reported contact allergens.
Contains drying alcohol
Found: triethanolamine, phenoxyethanol. Fine in small amounts for texture; high up the list it can dehydrate.
Free from formaldehyde releasers
Preservatives that slowly release formaldehyde.
Free from chemical uv filters of concern
Restricted or debated filters with endocrine or reef-persistence questions.
Is The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner non-comedogenic?
No ingredients in this formulation appear on Selenssa's common pore-clogger list, so it is unlikely to be the cause of congestion for most people. Comedogenicity is still individual — texture, occlusion and how much you use all play a part.
Is The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner safe for sensitive skin?
Usually tolerated, but patch test if your skin reacts easily.
- No fragrance or parfum in the list
- Contains a drying alcohol
Ingredients worth knowing about: Triethanolamine.
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner full ingredients list
11 ingredients analysed, in the order Selenssa assessed them. Concentration generally falls as you move down the list.
Aqua (Water), Glycolic Acid, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Triethanolamine, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract, Amino Acid Complex (Alanine, Glycine, Serine, Valine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, PCA, Sodium PCA), Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol.
The actives doing the work: Glycolic Acid (7%) (Promotes surface cell turnover to smooth rough texture and enhance overall skin luminosity.); Tasmannia Lanceolata Extract (Calms skin reactivity and alleviates the burning or tingling sensation associated with AHA use.); Amino Acids & Sodium PCA (Supplies natural moisturizing factors that fortify the skin barrier against moisture loss.).
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