The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% for sensitive skin

Should sensitive skin use it?

Sensitive skin can sting or burn after product use. A mild chemical exfoliator can be preferable to an abrasive scrub, but chemical exfoliation is not automatically gentle enough for every face. Exfoliation is optional, which is a useful detail for a category that likes to sound compulsory. Skip exfoliation on sunburned skin or areas with open cuts or wounds. If you are unsure whether exfoliation suits your skin, a dermatologist can help you decide.3

Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid, or AHA, that removes dead cells from the skin's surface. The 7% concentration does not tell you everything about its strength: acidity and the other ingredients also affect exfoliation. Do not choose an exfoliant by percentage alone.45

How should you apply it?

1. 1Use it in the evening after a gentle cleanser, on dry skin.
2. 2Apply with your hand or a reusable cotton pad, avoiding the eye area.
3. 3Once absorbed, follow with a hydrating serum or moisturizer.
4. 4Begin at the lower end of The Ordinary's general exfoliation schedule of once or twice weekly. Do not increase frequency while your skin is irritated.
5. 5Finish your morning routine with broad spectrum sunscreen. Wear protective clothing and limit sun exposure during use and for a week after stopping.

What should you avoid combining with it?

The Ordinary advises using retinoids and copper peptides on different evenings from this toner, and avoiding vitamin C in the same application. For sensitive skin, keep the exfoliation evening simple: cleanser, toner and moisturizer. Prescription retinoids, retinol and benzoyl peroxide can already make skin more sensitive or cause peeling. Adding exfoliation can worsen dryness or trigger breakouts, so an existing treatment routine changes whether this is a sensible addition.23

What should make you stop?

Brief mild tingling or redness can occur and should fade within minutes. Tingling is not a measure of effectiveness. If irritation develops, wash the toner off rather than leaving it on to intensify the effect. Reduce frequency if you resume. Repeated redness and irritation are reasons to stop exfoliating and discuss whether exfoliation is beneficial with a dermatologist.23

What results should you expect?

The toner targets surface texture, uneven tone and dullness. A smoother, more even looking surface is the goal, rather than the full renovation implied by some skincare marketing. If sun related age spots are your concern, general guidance for topical fading products is regular use over several weeks or months before noticeable improvement. That is a general timeframe, not a deadline for this toner. More frequent exfoliation is not a shortcut: excessive exfoliation can damage the skin barrier.26

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% for rough skin on the body

Chemical exfoliation removes surface dead cells, but rough body skin can also be dry, itchy or flaky. The general approach is gentle exfoliation followed by moisturizer, not stronger treatment simply because the area is below your neck. Do not exfoliate cuts, wounds or sunburn. Be especially cautious if irritation tends to leave dark marks: aggressive exfoliation can increase pigmentation, particularly in darker skin tones. These are general exfoliation principles, not a separate body application schedule for this toner.3