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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Face Gym Skin Changer Succinic Acid Essence-Toner versus The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution .

Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on September 22, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe toners. They have a total of 16 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Toner British Brand United Kingdom
Toner Canadian Brand Canada

Toner

Toners are used as a “last-step” cleanser, a pH balancer, add moisture to the skin, or may help in reducing impurities on the skin. They have a liquid consistency and are usually used after cleansers but before treatments.

Toner

Toners are used as a “last-step” cleanser, a pH balancer, add moisture to the skin, or may help in reducing impurities on the skin. They have a liquid consistency and are usually used after cleansers but before treatments.

Price

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

PHA

Benefits

Hydrating (4)
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation (2)
Skin Texture
Anti-Aging
Brightening

Notable Ingredients

AHA

Benefits

Hydrating (3)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing
Skin Texture (2)
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying
Acne Trigger
Irritating
Rosacea (3)
Eczema
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Face Gym Skin Changer Succinic Acid Essence-Toner contains this as ingredient number 1.

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Solvent
Community Rating: Liked

Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use.

It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

Learn more about Propanediol

Face Gym Skin Changer Succinic Acid Essence-Toner contains this as ingredient number 2.

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 6.

3
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin

Face Gym Skin Changer Succinic Acid Essence-Toner contains this as ingredient number 3.

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 7.

4
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Sodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid and is naturally occurring on human skin.

The PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a natural amino acid derivative.

Sodium PCA is a has conditioning, anti-inflammatory, and humectant properties. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin moisturized.

Learn more about Sodium PCA

Face Gym Skin Changer Succinic Acid Essence-Toner contains this as ingredient number 9.

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 25.

5
What it does: Humectant, Moisturising
Community Rating: Loved

PCA is derived from amino acids and is naturally found in our skin's barrier.

As a humectant, PCA helps draw and hold moisture to the skin. Studies show it is effective at helping the skin stay hydrated long-term.

Face Gym Skin Changer Succinic Acid Essence-Toner contains this as ingredient number 11.

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 24.

6
What it does: Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Serine is an amino acid naturally found in our body. Our bodies use amino acids to create protein.

Amino-acids help give keep our skin hydrated. They play an important role in the skin barrier, which keeps the skin plump and firm.

Serine is a non-essential amino acid, meaning we don't need to obtain it from eating foods.

Learn more about Serine

Face Gym Skin Changer Succinic Acid Essence-Toner contains this as ingredient number 12.

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 15.

7
What it does: Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Alanine is an amino acid and is already found in the human body.

Alanine has antioxidant properties and can help with anti-aging.

Alanine is used by fibrous proteins such as collagen, elastin, and keratin. These three help make a strong skin barrier. Having a healthy skin barrier leads to more plump and youthful skin.

Learn more about Alanine

Face Gym Skin Changer Succinic Acid Essence-Toner contains this as ingredient number 13.

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 13.

8
What it does: Buffering, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Glycine is an amino acid that helps build proteins. It is already present in our skin as our bodies produce them naturally.

Glycine helps keep skin hydrated and reduce signs of aging. Amino acids help transport moisture throughout our skin; glycine already plays a role in helping keep our skin moisturized.

As collagen is made up of glycine and other amino acids, it is believed Glycine may help our skin produce more collagen. Collagen helps keep skin plump and firm.

Learn more about Glycine

Face Gym Skin Changer Succinic Acid Essence-Toner contains this as ingredient number 14.

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 14.

9
What it does: Humectant
Community Rating: Loved

Glutamic Acid is an amino acid that is found in all living organisms. Our bodies use this to help nerve cells in the brain communicate with other cells.

In cosmetics, glutamic acid is a famous humectant. It draws water from the air to your skin, keeping your skin hydrated (like hyaluronic acid).

An in-vitro study from 2024 found glutamic acid to play a role in inhibiting inflammation and thus a potential skin-soothing ingredient.

Other studies show it to be have potential wound healing, skin barrier repair, and hair growth properties.

Glutamic acid has poor solubility in water and other solvents.

Learn more about Glutamic Acid

Face Gym Skin Changer Succinic Acid Essence-Toner contains this as ingredient number 15.

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 22.

10
What it does:
Community Rating: Loved

Threonine is an amino-acid. It helps hydrate the skin and has antioxidant benefits.

Threonine is vital for creating collagen and elastin. Collagen and elastin support youthful and firm skin. Our bodies decrease collagen production naturally with age.

Humans are not able to create threonine and must get it through eating foods such as fish, lentils, poultry, sesame seeds, and more.

Learn more about Threonine

Face Gym Skin Changer Succinic Acid Essence-Toner contains this as ingredient number 17.

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 19.

11
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Proline is an amino-acid. It helps moisturize the skin and plays an important role in creating proteins.

Proline is one of the building blocks for producing collagen. As we age, our bodies produce less collagen. Collagen helps the skin look plump and firm.

In medicine, proline is used as an osmoprotectant. This means it helps prevent oxidative degradation in other drugs.

Our bodies are able to produce proline naturally, but certain conditions may inhibit this production. In that case, proline can be obtained from eating egg whites, soy protein, dairy products, asparagus, mushrooms, and seaweed.

Learn more about Proline

Face Gym Skin Changer Succinic Acid Essence-Toner contains this as ingredient number 18.

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 18.

12
What it does: Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Arginine is an amino acid that is important for human development. Your body uses is it to produce hair keratin and skin collagen.

As a cosmetic ingredient, Arginine has antioxidant properties and can also help repair damaged skin. This ingredient is derived either synthetically or from animals.

Arginine isn't fungal acne safe when used in the presence of other lipids (fats, fatty acids, oils, esters, etc). Oils and fats occur naturally within the skin, so take caution when using Arginine if you're prone to fungal acne.

Learn more about Arginine

Face Gym Skin Changer Succinic Acid Essence-Toner contains this as ingredient number 19.

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 23.

13
What it does: Buffering, Humectant
Community Rating: Liked

Sodium Lactate is the sodium salt of lactic acid, an AHA. It is a humectant and used to adjust the pH of a product.

Sodium Lactate is part of our skin's NMF, or natural moisturizing factor. Our NMF is essential for the hydration of our top skin layers and plasticity of skin.

It also influences our skin's natural acid mantle and pH, which protects our skin from harmful bacteria.

Our NMF is formed from amino acids, lactic acid, sugars, minerals, peptides, and electrolytes. As we age, our NMF naturally depletes. Other sources of NMF depletion include harsh and drying ingredients such as denatured alcohol. Sodium lactate can help replenish our NMF, leading to more hydrated and plump skin.

High percentages of Sodium Lactate can have an exfoliating effect.

Sodium Lactate is produced from fermented sugar.

Learn more about Sodium Lactate

Face Gym Skin Changer Succinic Acid Essence-Toner contains this as ingredient number 24.

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 26.

14
What it does: Buffering, Masking
Community Rating: Disliked

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.

As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid

Face Gym Skin Changer Succinic Acid Essence-Toner contains this as ingredient number 26.

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 33.

15
What it does: Masking, Preservative
Community Rating: Disliked

Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.

Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.

Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.

Sodium Benzoate is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.

Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.

We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.

Learn more about Sodium Benzoate

Face Gym Skin Changer Succinic Acid Essence-Toner contains this as ingredient number 28.

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 40.

16
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Disliked

Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.

Potassium sorbate is potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.

Potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.

Potassium sorbate is often used with stronger preservatives.

Learn more about Potassium Sorbate

Face Gym Skin Changer Succinic Acid Essence-Toner contains this as ingredient number 29.

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 39.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

57% are loved or liked
10% have mixed ratings
20% are disliked or very disliked
13% have no rating yet
71% are loved or liked
7% have mixed ratings
19% are disliked or very disliked
2% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Face Gym Skin Changer Succinic Acid Essence-Toner 30 ingredients

Skin Changer Succinic Acid Essence-Toner hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution 42 ingredients

3.6 /5
from 24 ratings
Works Well (7) Great Value (7) No Scent (4) Irritating (3) Drying (3) Light Scent (3)
CustardBunny's avatar

CustardBunny

2 months ago · Sensitive Skin
Review

Ive used this for a whileee now.
First on my face, way too harsh so i did body only. I got lots of acne and heard nothing but "an all cure for...

Ive used this for a whileee now.
First on my face, way too harsh so i did body only. I got lots of acne and heard nothing but "an all cure for everything skinwise" lol.
Well it HURTS like a bitch. God it stings.
Absolutely no difference, if anything worse skin issues. Around the buttocks area.

Best thing that couldve happened to me? African Black Soap.

tiffchikin's avatar

tiffchikin

6 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

Didn't do anything for me
I wanted to like this product so much but after finishing one and a half bottle I still didn't see a difference on my...

Didn't do anything for me
I wanted to like this product so much but after finishing one and a half bottle I still didn't see a difference on my face. Stings a little bit so I only used it 2-3 times a week.

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