Versus

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner Versus Anua BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner

Toner
Exfoliator
Canadian Brand Canada
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on June 07, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 3 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores and scar healing

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 needs an update? Let us know.

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner
BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
Buffering, Masking

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

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 even out skin tone.

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.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse. 

It is a:

  • Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
  • Emollient, helping to soften skin
  • Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
  • Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives 

When to use

1,082 Routines
22% use in am
78% use in pm
62% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
727 Routines
13% use in am
87% use in pm
39% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner 42 ingredients

4.2 /5
from 19 ratings
Works Well (13) Light (12) Absorbs Well (12)
anemone's avatar

anemone

6 months ago
Review

i’ve been using this under my arms for quite some time now, and i definitely think i notice a difference in the lightness of my underarms. now i will start using it on my arms and legs, too, to hopefully help reduce my strawberry skin. this is also very good at preventing body odor.

#great value
#light
#absorbs well
#no scent
isob3lla's avatar

isob3lla

8 months ago
Review

a friend recommended this to me so i had to try. it’s good to use every now and then but personally i wouldn’t use it more than 2-3 times a week on my face. i mainly use this on my feet/chest/back for softer skin and a nice glow which i highly recommend !

#drying
#light
#absorbs well
#strong scent

Anua BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner 34 ingredients

4.4 /5
from 16 ratings
Works Well (12) Light (9) Great Value (8)
Cheeks's avatar

Cheeks

4 months ago
Review

This is an amazing exfoliator! She is affordable, powerful, little to no scent, non drying and has the added bonus of practical packaging! I use this every 5 days as the only exfoliating product in my routine and she just wipes any closed comedones, sebaceous filaments, clogged pores etc right off. Though it mentions a fragrance there is little to no scent detected for me and I am sensitive to Show more

#great value
#hydrating
#absorbs well
#no scent
raggedrobbin's avatar

raggedrobbin

10 months ago
Review

I've tried both Paula's Choice and Isntree's BHA toners and I find that for my sensitive but acne prone skin this Anua one is far superior. It doesn't have as much of a sticky feeling as the other two (but still some) and also didn't dehydrate or sensitise my skin as much, while still drastically improving my blackheads and acne bumps.

I believe this to be way more beginner-user and sensitive Show more

#great value
#light
#no scent
#works well