Formula · 9.7

Brand · 8.3

The Ordinary · glycolic acid 7% (AHA) · Canada

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
9.7

LabReadAI label score

How the score is calculated
  • Actives and evidence1.0Effect supported by studies
  • Active concentration1.0Concentration within the working range
  • Completeness for the purpose1.0For “skin texture and pores” — 100 %; without niacinamide, which makes pores less visible; without a retinoid — it renews the skin deeper than acids; could be added without conflict: niacinamide (vitamin b3); a broad formula across 3 purposes
  • Tolerance0.9Debatable ingredient groups: hexyl nicotinate
  • adults
  • pregnancyallowed per the leaflet
  • oily skin
  • sensitive skintingling, start 1–2 times a week
  • before sunSPF is a must in the daytime
Free from:
  • alcohol (alcohol denat) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “denatured alcohol” group — evaporates fast and degreases; frequent contact can dry the skin — a tolerance question, not a regulatory one; does not clog pores
  • sulfates (SLS/SLES) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “ammonium laureth sulfate (ALES), ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS), sodium coco-sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium myreth sulfate, TEA-lauryl sulfate” group — a cleansing surfactant from the sulfate family but with an ethoxylated chain: it cleanses more gently than lauryl sulfate. Still not for those looking for a sulfate-free product.
  • formaldehyde releasers · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “formaldehyde releasers” group — preservatives that slowly release formaldehyde; allowed at low levels but a frequent cause of contact allergy
  • isothiazolinones (MIT/MCI) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “isothiazolinone preservatives (MIT/MCI)” group — preservatives; banned in EU leave-on products and limited in rinse-off (0.0015%) — a frequent cause of contact allergy
  • fragrance · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “fragrance and its allergens” group — the fragrance and its aromatic components; the EU requires 26 of them to be listed separately — matters to people allergic to fragrance, does not affect how the product works
  • parabens · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “parabens” group — preservatives; methyl- and ethylparaben are recognised as safe at permitted levels, propyl- and butyl- are limited by the EU to 0.14 %; a frequent buyer question rather than proven harm
  • mineral oils and petrolatum · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “petrolatum and mineral oils” group — purified cosmetic-grade petroleum products: form a protective barrier film; safety is established, a preference question; 0–2 of 5 (depends on the raw-material source), cosmetic white oil per DiNardo (2005) is non-comedogenic
  • soap · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “potassium soap (potassium cocoate), plant soap base (sodium palmate, sodium cocoate), tallow soap base (sodium tallowate)” group — liquid soap: fatty acids boiled with alkali. It cleanses well, but its acidity is around 9-10 against 5 for skin, which is why it often leaves tightness. The product is rinsed off, so the question is tolerance.
  • silicones · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “silicones” group — form a smooth film and shine; inert and not absorbed — a preference question, not a safety one
  • gelatin in the coating · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “vegetarian coating” group — a plant-based tablet coating instead of gelatin; it keeps moisture out and makes swallowing easier
  • toning dyes · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “violet toning dyes” group — direct dyes that settle on the hair surface and cancel the yellow cast of blonde; they wash out in 1–3 washes and leave a lilac tint if left too long; HC Blue 2 and Disperse Violet 1 are known contact allergens of hair dyes
  • tar · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “wood (birch) tar” group — a traditional remedy for dandruff and itching with a sharp smell; it reduces flaking, but can irritate a sensitive scalp and dries the hair
What for: Bumps and enlarged pores are smoothed by acids (glycolic, lactic, mandelic, PHA, salicylic) — one is enough; niacinamide makes pores less visible, a retinoid renews the skin more deeply. Pores do not “close” — they become less noticeable.
When:
  • leave-on
  • evening
in the evening, 2–3 times a week; SPF in the daytime
When to expect an effect: texture, glow — 2–4 weeks
What is normal: tingling for 1–2 minutes after applying

Ingredients — 24 components · 1 works

What works: 1 of 24 ingredients: glycolic acid. Bumps and enlarged pores are smoothed by acids (glycolic, lactic, mandelic, PHA, salicylic) — one is enough; niacinamide makes pores less visible, a retinoid renews the skin more deeply. Pores do not “close” — they become less noticeable.

Strengths: actives and evidence, active concentration, completeness for the purpose, tolerance

Questions: hexyl nicotinate — a nicotinic-acid ester that dilates skin vessels: boosts blood flow and gives some people visible redness and warmth (Dermatologica 1987, laser Doppler in healthy volunteers); in toners it is claimed “for radiance” — a tolerance question, not an allergen

  • Aqua (Water base: coating, fillers · water — the solvent and base; listed first because there is more of it than anything else; in supplements — part of the capsule shell
  • Glycolic Acid works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: AHA acid
  • Rosa Damascena Flower Water base: coating, fillers · plant and algae extracts and floral waters: flavouring and marketing components — at these shares there is no proven effect on the skin; rare reactions in people allergic to that particular plant
  • Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water base: coating, fillers · plant and algae extracts and floral waters: flavouring and marketing components — at these shares there is no proven effect on the skin; rare reactions in people allergic to that particular plant
  • Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water base: coating, fillers · plant and algae extracts and floral waters: flavouring and marketing components — at these shares there is no proven effect on the skin; rare reactions in people allergic to that particular plant
  • Propanediol base: coating, fillers · a humectant and solvent from corn sugar: it holds water and helps actives dissolve. A gentler replacement for propylene glycol.
  • Glycerin base: coating, fillers · a humectant: coats the tablet, holds moisture in creams and shampoos; does not clog pores
  • Triethanolamine base: coating, fillers · a pH adjuster and thickener neutraliser; rarely clogs pores in leave-on face products
  • Aminomethyl Propanol base: coating, fillers · tune the acidity and texture; salt is a common shampoo thickener
  • Panax Ginseng Root Extract base: coating, fillers · plant and algae extracts and floral waters: flavouring and marketing components — at these shares there is no proven effect on the skin; rare reactions in people allergic to that particular plant
  • Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract base: coating, fillers · the plant base: emollient oils, waxes and care extracts
  • Aspartic Acid base: coating, fillers · amino acids, lipids and sugars akin to the skin’s own components — support for its barrier
  • Alanine base: coating, fillers · amino acids, lipids and sugars akin to the skin’s own components — support for its barrier
  • Glycine base: coating, fillers · amino acids, lipids and sugars akin to the skin’s own components — support for its barrier
  • Serine base: coating, fillers · amino acids, lipids and sugars akin to the skin’s own components — support for its barrier
  • Valine base: coating, fillers · amino acids, lipids and sugars akin to the skin’s own components — support for its barrier
  • Isoleucine base: coating, fillers · amino acids, lipids and sugars akin to the skin’s own components — support for its barrier
  • Proline base: coating, fillers · amino acids, lipids and sugars akin to the skin’s own components — support for its barrier
  • Threonine base: coating, fillers · amino acids, lipids and sugars akin to the skin’s own components — support for its barrier
  • Histidine base: coating, fillers · amino acids, lipids and sugars akin to the skin’s own components — support for its barrier
  • Phenylalanine base: coating, fillers · amino acids, lipids and sugars akin to the skin’s own components — support for its barrier
  • Glutamic Acid base: coating, fillers · amino acids and PCA — substances the skin itself keeps in the outer layer to hold water; in a product they are humectants copying its own set
  • Arginine base: coating, fillers · amino acids, lipids and sugars akin to the skin’s own components — support for its barrier
  • Pca base: coating, fillers · amino acids and PCA — substances the skin itself keeps in the outer layer to hold water; in a product they are humectants copying its own set
  • Sodium Pca base: coating, fillers · a component of the skin own moisturising factor: it draws water into the upper layer.
  • Sodium Lactate base: coating, fillers · tune the acidity and texture; salt is a common shampoo thickener
  • Fructose base: coating, fillers · amino acids, lipids and sugars akin to the skin’s own components — support for its barrier
  • Glucose base: coating, fillers · amino acids, lipids and sugars akin to the skin’s own components — support for its barrier
  • Sucrose base: coating, fillers · plain sugar: topically — a humectant from the NMF set, in supplements — a sweetening filler in milligrams, no effect on dietary sugar
  • Urea base: coating, fillers · amino acids, lipids and sugars akin to the skin’s own components — support for its barrier
  • Hexyl Nicotinate questions · a nicotinic-acid ester that dilates skin vessels: boosts blood flow and gives some people visible redness and warmth (Dermatologica 1987, laser Doppler in healthy volunteers); in toners it is claimed “for radiance” — a tolerance question, not an allergen
  • Dextrin base: coating, fillers · a starch breakdown product: a filler, thickener and film former; does not act
  • Citric Acid base: coating, fillers · acidity regulator
  • Polysorbate 20 base: coating, fillers · cleanse and bind water with oils; milder than the sulfate ones
  • Gellan Gum base: coating, fillers · hold the texture: gels, creams and foam do not separate
  • Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate base: coating, fillers · bind hard-water metals so the formula stays stable and the foam works
  • Sodium Chloride base: coating, fillers · tune the acidity and texture; salt is a common shampoo thickener
  • Hexylene Glycol base: coating, fillers · humectants and solvents — hold water and help actives dissolve
  • Potassium Sorbate base: coating, fillers · a mild preservative against mould and yeast: used both in cosmetics and in foods and supplements (E202).
  • Sodium Benzoate base: coating, fillers · a preservative both in cosmetics and in supplements: a salt of benzoic acid that works in an acidic medium. Permitted as food additive E211 and in cosmetics up to 0.5 %.
  • 1,2-Hexanediol base: coating, fillers · a solvent and humectant with antimicrobial action: it helps the product keep without classic preservatives.
  • Caprylyl Glycol base: coating, fillers · a humectant that also holds bacteria back, which is why it often replaces part of the preservative.

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution is a product whose active ingredient is glycolic acid at a declared 7 %. The effect is supported by studies: 5–10 %: renews skin, evens texture and tone — RCTs. The formula has 24 ingredients, 1 of which does the work; the rest is the formula base. Worth noting: Hexyl Nicotinate (a nicotinic-acid ester that dilates skin vessels: boosts blood flow and gives some people visible redness and warmth (Dermatologica 1987, laser Doppler in healthy volunteers); in toners it is claimed “for radiance” — a tolerance question, not an allergen). Bumps and enlarged pores are smoothed by acids (glycolic, lactic, mandelic, PHA, salicylic) — one is enough; niacinamide makes pores less visible, a retinoid renews the skin more deeply. Pores do not “close” — they become less noticeable. By the list, no alcohol (alcohol denat), sulfates (SLS/SLES), formaldehyde releasers, isothiazolinones (MIT/MCI), fragrance, parabens, mineral oils and petrolatum, soap, silicones, gelatin in the coating, toning dyes, tar. Suitable for: adults, pregnancy, oily skin. sensitive skin, before sun — ask a doctor. rosacea, eczema, children — not without a doctor. Use: in the evening, 2–3 times a week; SPF in the daytime. When to expect an effect: texture, glow — 2–4 weeks. Label score — 9.7 out of 10 (debatable ingredient groups: hexyl nicotinate). AHA acids increase sun sensitivity — the maker positions this as evening care. A restatement of the product type, not an assessment.

Who it does not suit

  • rosacea, eczemanot on inflamed skin
  • childrenonly if prescribed

When to stop: burning, persistent redness — stop; do not use the same evening as a retinoid

Per the maker's leaflet: AHA acids increase sun sensitivity — the maker positions this as evening care. A restatement of the product type, not an assessment.

Is this product right for your skin?

The score describes the formula, not your skin: the same product dries one person and saves another. Describe your skin type, reactions and goals, attach a photo of the ingredient list or the product — we will go through every ingredient and say whether it suits you, what to pair it with and what to avoid.

Cosmetic ingredient checkDecode my tests

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