The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution for oily acne-prone skin
Glycolic Acid
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
Tasmannia Lanceolata Leaf Extract Fruit
High
- HighOily Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
One of the best toners for oily acne-prone skin.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers excellent exfoliation for your oily skin, as glycolic acid effectively smooths texture and reduces excess sebum, addressing your concerns with acne and breakouts.
- The inclusion of glycerin and various botanical extracts provides a hydrating and soothing effect, complementing the exfoliating action for your skin.
- The formula is safe for your skin, with no reported irritation risks due to the absence of harsh or prohibited ingredients.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your PM routine. Start using your exfoliating toner once a week and slowly increase frequency if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply your exfoliating toner after cleansing and before your moisturizer or other treatments.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliating toner into your skin with your hands. Avoid any harsh rubbing .
- Apply the exfoliating toner on clean and completely dry skin to ensure the best results .
- Avoid the sensitive eye area and always use daily SPF while using exfoliating active products.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 15.0k+ reviewsThis product is widely praised as a "holy grail" multi-purpose exfoliant that delivers smoother, brighter skin and effectively treats texture issues like keratosis pilaris and dandruff. While the vast majority of users love its affordability and versatility for both face and body, it is potent; a significant minority experience stinging, irritation, or a damaged skin barrier if used too frequently or on sensitive skin. This summary is based on a very large amount of data and should definitely be taken into account.
Highlights
Improves texture & glow Mostly Mentioned
- “glass skin effect”
- “bumps gone overnight”
- “instant glow”
- “baby soft face”
Unbeatable value Mostly Mentioned
- “lasts forever”
- “huge bottle for price”
- “best budget toner”
- “bang for buck”
Versatile body application Mostly Mentioned
- “eliminated armpit odor”
- “cleared my dandruff”
- “smoothed strawberry legs”
- “softened cracked heels”
Fades acne & marks Often Mentioned
- “faded dark spots”
- “dried up pimples”
- “reduced hormonal acne”
- “cleared blackheads”
Irritation and stinging Sometimes Noted
- “burns upon application”
- “face turned red”
- “stung badly”
- “itchy sensation”
Unpleasant finish Sometimes Noted
- “sticky residue”
- “feels tacky”
- “greasy film”
- “takes long to dry”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “gave me cystic acne”
- “tiny bumps appeared”
- “broke me out”
- “worsened my texture”
Too harsh/damaging Rarely Noted
- “ruined moisture barrier”
- “caused chemical burn”
- “dried out skin”
- “skin started peeling”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, ulta.com, theordinary.com, influenster.com, amazon.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution a great fit for oily acne-prone skin?
This toner is a great fit because glycolic acid effectively smooths texture and reduces excess oil, which helps address breakouts. The formula also includes glycerin and soothing botanical extracts that keep skin calm and hydrated while it exfoliates.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Which ingredients make this toner a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Glycolic acid makes this toner a great fit by smoothing texture and reducing excess oil to help with breakouts. Glycerin and botanical extracts also help by keeping your skin calm and hydrated.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
What does Glycolic Acid do for oily acne-prone skin?
Glycolic acid helps clear acne-prone skin by reducing pimples and soothing breakouts. It exfoliates the surface to keep pores clear and leaves the skin feeling smooth.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019Dermatologic Surgery, 2014
What does Aloe Vera Leaf Water do for oily acne-prone skin?
Aloe Vera Leaf Water helps calm and soothe oily, acne-prone skin while reducing redness and blemishes. It works to improve skin clarity without clogging pores, making it a gentle option for breakouts.
Clinical Pharmacology, 2018Current Pharmaceutical Design, 2019
Where does this toner go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This exfoliating toner fits into an evening routine right after cleansing as a treatment step. Lovi routines start exfoliating acids once a week, and people who tolerate them well can carefully use them more often.
Can I use this toner with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this toner with retinol, but it is best to apply them on alternate nights to avoid irritation. Using both strong actives at the same time may dry out or upset your skin.
How often should I use this toner?
Start using this toner once a week in the evening, and if your skin tolerates it well and sees good results, you can carefully use it more often. It helps smooth texture, reduces excess oil, and clears breakouts with glycolic acid while soothing extracts keep skin calm.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Can this toner clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This toner is a great fit for oily acne-prone skin because glycolic acid effectively smooths texture and cuts down excess oil to help prevent breakouts. Glycerin and botanical extracts in the formula keep skin calm and hydrated, and the product is safe with a low likelihood of causing breakouts.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
Is this toner fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Glycolic acid, salicylic acid, gluconolactone, and licochalcone A combined with 0.1% adapalene showed no hindrance compared to adapalene monotherapy and provided benefits in reducing complications in 25 subjects with mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019A combination of dermapen and glycolic acid peel significantly decreased acne scar grades and resulted in higher patient satisfaction compared to either monotherapy in 30 patients.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Repeated short-contact 70% glycolic acid peels provided superior results in atrophic acne scars compared to daily low-strength glycolic acid cream or placebo in 58 women over 24 weeks.
International Journal of Dermatology, 2000Serial glycolic acid peels combined with a modified Kligman formula significantly reduced facial PIH severity in Indian patients compared to the modified Kligman formula alone.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2017A cream combining propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera reduced erythema scars, acne severity index, and total lesion count better than erythromycin cream in sixty patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris compared to placebo.
Clinical Pharmacology, 2018Topical aloe vera gel significantly accelerated split-thickness skin graft donor-site healing compared to placebo in 12 patients, but showed no significant difference in pain relief.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2018Topical application of Aloe vera cream reduced postoperative pain at rest and during defecation, accelerated wound healing at two weeks, and decreased analgesic requirements in patients after open hemorrhoidectomy compared to placebo.
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2010Enzyme-modified ginseng extract cream significantly reduced the global photo-damage score and various roughness measures including total roughness, smoothness depth, and arithmetic roughness average compared to placebo in 23 human subjects.
Rejuvenation Research, 2015A red ginseng hydrogel formulation with 1,2-hexanediol promoted selective growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis and decreased Cutibacterium acnes in 20 female subjects.
Journal of Ginseng Research, 2022A 1% fermented black ginseng cream significantly reduced eye wrinkles and brightened skin color in twenty-three human subjects compared to control cream and baseline.
Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. Part A, 2020Treatment with a rose extract activated newly identified skin olfactory receptors and prevented epinephrine-induced skin stress responses in epidermal keratinocytes and human skin explants, while clinically decreasing the appearance of under-eye dark circles in stressed women.
Molecules, 2020Rose petal extract improves stratum corneum moisture levels in humans by upregulating HAS2 expression via the GLK-MAP2K-MAPK signaling pathway.
BioFactors, 2023Rosa gallica petal extract (RPE) exerts skin whitening by attenuating tyrosinase activity and melanin accumulation and exhibits anti-wrinkle activity by suppressing MMP-1 levels in human cells.
Journal of Medicinal Food, 2020Topical Tasmannia lanceolata extract reduced skin roughness, increased firmness, dermal density, and thickness of stabilized stretch marks compared to placebo in 29 women over 8 weeks, alongside increased pro-collagen I, elastin, and TGF-beta concentrations in ex vivo human skin explants.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
Ingredients
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 Leaf Extract Fruit, 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
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
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