How to apply glycolic acid toner on face?

Author: Wade Batz  |  Last update: Friday, December 26, 2025

How to Use the Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner
  1. After cleansing, apply a small amount of the water-based toner to your face or neck using a cotton pad or fingers. Avoid the area around your eyes. Do not rinse off. ...
  2. Use once daily, ideally in the evenings. Do not use on sensitive, peeling, or compromised skin.

How do you use glycolic acid face toner?

How to use The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Toner Remove makeup and cleanse your skin. Thoroughly dry your skin. Add a few drops of Glycolic Acid to a cotton pad. Gently wipe it all over your skin. Follow with any serums and moisturiser.

Do you use glycolic acid toner on wet or dry skin?

Apply to clean, dry skin: Apply the glycolic acid product to clean, dry skin, preferably after showering. Massage it into the skin and leave it on for the recommended amount of time.

Can I leave glycolic acid toner on my face overnight?

Yes. You can apply the toner and leave it on your skin overnight. Who Can Use This Toner? Everyone can use the 7% Glycolic Acid Hydrating Toner as it's gentle on the skin, making it suitable for all skin types.

What should you not mix with glycolic acid?

What NOT to mix with Glycolic Acid. Retinol, other AHAs/BHAs, Vitamin C: Using these ingredients alongside Glycolic Acid in the same routine could irritate the skin. However, alternating them between your morning and evening skincare routine means that you can enjoy the benefits without the risk of damaging your skin.

GLYCOLIC ACID Hacks - How To Use The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution

How long to leave glycolic acid on face before moisturizer?

Generally speaking, the experts recommend that you not apply any other product or moisturizer to your face until 60 seconds have passed. The reason is that you want the glycolic acid to be fully absorbed into the skin and to dry before you put anything else on top of it.

What happens if you use glycolic acid toner everyday?

Though gentle enough for everyday use, we generally recommend to exfoliate once or twice a week. Over-exfoliating can damage the skin barrier, which can lead to redness, irritation, or breakouts.

Does glycolic acid toner remove dark spots?

Glycolic acid helps to improve the appearance of dullness and uneven skin tone. It fades dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and acne marks, resulting in a brighter, more radiant complexion. Glycolic acid can penetrate the pores and help unclog them, reducing the appearance of enlarged pores.

Can I sleep with glycolic acid on my face?

Because glycolic acid cleansers generally have a lower percentage of glycolic acid than a serum or lotion, they're safe to use every night.

How do I know if my glycolic acid toner is working?

Be patient with the process: Your skin may feel a bit rough after your first few treatments. This is normal and just means that the glycolic acid is working. Unless your skin is irritated, keep using your glycolic acid product. You should slowly start to see smoother, more healthy skin.

How many drops of glycolic acid to use on the face?

✅Application of glycolic acid should be only at NIGHT TIME. ✅ FOR FACE & NECK - on freshly washed dry skin, take a CLEAN cotton swap, pour 4-5 drops and apply max 2 swipes on one area not more than that followed by moisturiser, Use it twice a week only.

Which moisturizer is best after glycolic acid toner?

Hyaluronic Acid is one of the best hydrating ingredients, as it can hold up to 1,000 times its own mass in hydration. Therefore, if you're using Glycolic Acid, we highly recommend following up with a Hyaluronic Acid treatment. This will help undo the drying side effects and restore balance within the skin.

Do you rinse off glycolic acid toner?

Massage well. Do not rinse off. Do not use on sensitive, peeling, or compromised skin. Avoid the eye contour and contact with eyes.

What are the side effects of glycolic acid?

Common side effects of Glycolic Acid include dry skin, erythema (skin redness), burning sensation, itching, skin irritation, and skin rash. Glycolic Acid can make the skin more sensitive in the sunlight, hence always use sunscreen and protective clothing before you step outdoors.

How long does it take to see results from glycolic acid toner?

What is the duration needed for The Ordinary glycolic acid to show its effects? The Ordinary glycolic acid toner often shows initial results within one to two weeks. Better results, such as even skin tone and reduced dark spots, generally appear after four weeks of regular use.

Why is my skin getting darker after using glycolic acid?

“Those with darker skin tones, need to be cautious with glycolic acid,” warns Dr Buldeo. “It can cause a paradoxical darkening of the skin by stimulating melanocytes,” These are the melanin-producing cells in your skin's deepest layer so this can lead to hyperpigmentation in black skin.

Can I use 8% glycolic acid every day?

It is OK to use 1-2% containing glycolic acid face wash or ointments daily. The creams have a higher glycolic acid content (10% and above) and must only be used once or twice a week to avoid skin irritation. The creams with a concentration above 15% may need to be kept only for a few minutes and then wiped off.

What to use after glycolic toner?

Moisturize: After allowing the glycolic acid to absorb into the skin, apply a moisturizer to hydrate and nourish the skin. Sun Protection: In the morning, always remember to apply sunscreen with a high SPF to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.

What to avoid with glycolic acid toner?

Combinations to avoid with glycolic acid.
  • Glycolic acid and other exfoliating acids such as salicylic acid or lactic acid. These active ingredients work in the same way as salicylic acid: they eliminate dead cells from the stratum corneum. ...
  • Glycolic acid and niacinamide. ...
  • Glycolic acid and retinol.

Can you go in the sun after using glycolic acid?

As such, when using skincare products such as glycolic acid, it is advisable to maintain a suitable sun-protection routine, such as applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen. A person will also need to avoid tanning beds.

How to apply glycolic acid on face?

Use not more than a pea-sized amount for the entire face. Excessive irritability can result from using too much glycolic acid product. Exfoliate once or twice per week and not every day. Over-exfoliation can hasten to age and cause irritability, redness, pimples, dryness and even acne.

What pairs well with glycolic acid?

If your skin tolerates retinol well, combining it with glycolic acid is a good idea given their different actions. A study has shown that the combination of glycolic acid and retinol proves to be effective in treating acne and brown acne scars.

How long does it take glycolic acid to shrink pores?

One study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found that the use of a 10% glycolic acid solution resulted in a significant reduction in pore size after just four weeks of use.

Does glycolic acid lighten skin?

Yes. Glycolic acid, together with lactic, citric & mandelic acids can lighten skin by one to two shades. This AHA group of acids act as chemical exfoliants and remove excess pigment in the upper layers of skin. Careful application of glycolic acid is required as it may cause blotchy pigmentation of surrounding skin.

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