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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution versus COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid .

Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on October 27, 2020

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe . They have a total of 2 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain AHA

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots 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 Canadian Brand Canada
Essence South Korean Brand South Korea

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.

Essence

Essences are used to prep skin for further treatment and may provide extra skin benefits. They are usually used before serum and moisturizers. Essences are thought to have originated in either Japan or Korea and is an essential step in K-Beauty.

Price

Shop

Buy Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution

Starts at $8.54
Shop

Buy AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid

Starts at $11.79

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

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

Notable Ingredients

AHA
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

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

Concerns

Irritating
Rosacea
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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: Buffering
Community Rating: Loved

Glycolic Acid is arguably the most famous AHA with research to back up its benefits. Its main role is to peel the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.

Glycolic Acid has shown to boost collage production, a protein that helps skin stay firm. Overall, Glycolic Acid helps with improving uneven tone, rough patches of skin, fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage. It also increases skin hydration by playing a role in creating molecules that create hyaluronic acid naturally.

When applying Glycolic Acid, it is normal to feel slight stinging. The pH value and concentration of glycolic acid play a role in the effectiveness of the product.

Recent studies have shown Glycolic Acid may protect the skin against UV damage. However, you should always wear SPF, especially when using exfoliants.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Glycolic Acid

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 2.

COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid contains this as ingredient number 3.

2
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.

In products that are water-based, this ingredient can help stabilize perfumes and fragrances. It can also help make the texture of products softer and more smooth.

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 41.

COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid contains this as ingredient number 6.

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

71% are loved or liked
7% have mixed ratings
17% are disliked or very disliked
5% have no rating yet
50% are loved or liked
30% have mixed ratings
10% are disliked or very disliked
10% 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

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution 42 ingredients

3.5 /5
from 22 reviews
CustardBunny's Avatar'
Mar 12, 2024

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...

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.

Drying
Broke Me Out
Irritating
Sticky
No Scent
Doesn't Work
ZarephLae's Avatar'
Dec 9, 2023

Glycolic acid is an AHA which is great for exfoliation, acne, oil-control, and aging. However, because it's an AHA, there can be drawbacks. It can be drying so only use this if you have normal to oily skin and follow with a moisturizer....

Glycolic acid is an AHA which is great for exfoliation, acne, oil-control, and aging. However, because it's an AHA, there can be drawbacks. It can be drying so only use this if you have normal to oily skin and follow with a moisturizer. AHA's do cause photosensitivity which means your skin is more susceptible to uv radiation. Because of this it's recommended to use any product that has AHA's at night but you can use it during the daytime provided you follow it with a SPF.

Great Value
Drying
Light
Absorbs Well
Light Scent
Works Well
m.ariam9's Avatar'
Mar 20, 2024

it’s a good in exfoliating and applying it 2 times a week followed by a good moisturizer prevents any irritations

it’s a good in exfoliating and applying it 2 times a week followed by a good moisturizer prevents any irritations

Great Value
Absorbs Well
Works Well

COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid 10 ingredients

2.7 /5
from 3 reviews
SpaceyTrxsh's Avatar'
Jan 9, 2024

Seeing forever to see results

Seeing forever to see results

Light
Absorbs Well
No Scent
Zienn's Avatar'
Apr 4, 2024

oily skin nothing change or happend when use
not working at all. but kinda clean my dead skin off.

oily skin nothing change or happend when use
not working at all. but kinda clean my dead skin off.

Expensive
Irritating
Light
Absorbs Well
Pilling
Light Scent

Alternatives

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