The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution for acne-prone skin
Glycolic Acid
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
Tasmannia Lanceolata Leaf Extract Fruit
Superior
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- SuperiorEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
One of the best toners for acne-prone skin.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. 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
- Excellent for your combination, acne-prone skin as the high concentration of glycolic acid effectively exfoliates and unclogs pores, while Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water and Rosa Damascena Flower Water provide soothing hydration.
- The inclusion of Panax Ginseng Root Extract and Tasmannia Lanceolata Leaf Extract further supports skin renewal and calms inflammation, addressing your concerns for blemishes and breakouts.
- The formula is safe for your skin, free from harsh ingredients and containing beneficial soothing agents.
How to apply
- You can use this exfoliating toner in your PM routine. Start by using it 1 time per week and increase slowly if your skin is happy.
- Apply your exfoliating toner right after cleansing and before your moisturizing steps. This helps your skin stay clean and clear.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliating toner into your skin with your hands. Avoid rubbing to keep your face calm.
- Apply the exfoliating toner on clean and dry skin for the best comfort. Let it dry for a minute ⏱ before moving on.
- Always do a patch test before your first use and avoid putting the product too close to your eyes.
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 one of the best fits for acne-prone skin?
This toner is one of the best fits because its high concentration of glycolic acid effectively exfoliates and unclogs pores to keep breakouts under control. At the same time, aloe leaf water and rose flower water provide soothing hydration while plant extracts help calm inflammation and support skin renewal.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019Clinical Pharmacology, 2018
Which ingredients make this toner a good fit for acne-prone skin?
Glycolic Acid makes this toner a great fit for acne-prone skin by exfoliating and unclogging pores, while Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water and Rosa Damascena Flower Water help soothe and hydrate. Additionally, Panax Ginseng Root Extract and Tasmannia Lanceolata Leaf Extract support skin renewal and calm inflammation to help manage breakouts.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019Clinical Pharmacology, 2018
What does Glycolic Acid do for acne-prone skin?
Glycolic acid helps clear acne-prone skin by reducing pimples and breakouts. It also helps fade dark spots left behind by acne and controls skin oiliness, with very few side effects when used properly.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Dermatologic Surgery, 2014
What does Aloe Vera Leaf Water do for acne-prone skin?
Aloe Vera Leaf Water helps calm acne-prone skin and may reduce redness and bumps when used regularly. Studies show that combinations containing this ingredient can improve lesion counts and work well alongside typical acne treatments with a safe profile.
Clinical Pharmacology, 2018Current Pharmaceutical Design, 2019
Where does this toner go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This exfoliating toner fits into an acne-prone routine as a cleansing toner in the evening, used once a week to start and carefully increased if well tolerated. It helps unclog pores and clear breakouts while keeping skin calm with soothing ingredients like aloe and ginseng.
Can I use this toner with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this toner with retinol by applying the toner first in your evening routine and following with retinol once your skin has adjusted. Because both ingredients exfoliate and renew the skin, using them together may cause dryness or irritation, so it is best to introduce them slowly.
How often should I use this toner?
Start using this exfoliating toner once a week, and if your skin tolerates it well and shows good results, you may carefully use it more often. Glycolic acid helps unclog pores and renew skin, while aloe and rose water soothe hydration to keep your breakout-prone skin calm.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
Can this toner clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This toner is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts because it uses glycolic acid to unclog pores and clear out dead skin cells, along with aloe vera and ginseng to calm inflammation. However, because it deeply exfoliates, it may occasionally cause temporary purging or mild stinging when you first start using it.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019Clinical Pharmacology, 2018
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 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, 2018Microneedling combined with topical exosome therapy improved PIH severity scores from grade 2 to grade 1 and enhanced skin tone in two acne patients without causing adverse effects.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Global Open, 2025Repeated 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, 2017Topical 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, 2010Formulations containing 0.10%, 0.25%, and 0.50% freeze-dried Aloe vera extract increased stratum corneum water content compared with the vehicle in 20 female subjects, while transepidermal water loss was not modified.
Skin Research and Technology, 2006Enzyme-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
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