Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution versus Minimalist Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) 03% Toner .
Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on June 12, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe toners. They have a total of 17 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, 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
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
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution 42 ingredients
Minimalist Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) 03% Toner 43 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Vegan
This product is vegan 🎉
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution 42 ingredients
Minimalist Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) 03% Toner 43 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution 42 ingredients
Minimalist Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) 03% Toner 43 ingredients
Water • Glycolic Acid • Rosa Damascena Flower Water • Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water • Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water • Propanediol • Glycerin • Triethanolamine • Aminomethyl Propanol • Panax Ginseng Root Extract • Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract • Aspartic Acid • Alanine • Glycine • Serine • Valine • Isoleucine • Proline • Threonine • Histidine • Phenylalanine • Glutamic Acid • Arginine • PCA • Sodium PCA • Sodium Lactate • Fructose • Glucose • Sucrose • Urea • Hexyl Nicotinate • Dextrin • Citric Acid • Polysorbate 20 • Gellan Gum • Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate • Sodium Chloride • Hexylene Glycol • Potassium Sorbate • Sodium Benzoate • 1,2-Hexanediol • Caprylyl Glycol
Water • Gluconolactone • Niacinamide • Butylene Glycol • Methylpropanediol • Inulin • Lactococcus Ferment Lysate • Saccharide Isomerate • Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract • Xylitylglucoside • Anhydroxylitol • Xylitol • Salicylic Acid • Allantoin • Trehalose • Glycerin • Polyglutamic Acid • Sodium Hyaluronate • Panthenol • Lysine • Histidine • Arginine • Aspartic Acid • Threonine • Serine • Glutamic Acid • Proline • Glycine • Alanine • Valine • Methionine • Isoleucine • Leucine • Tyrosine • Phenylalanine • Cysteine • Ethoxydiglycol • Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate • Phenoxyethanol • Ethylhexylglycerin • 1,2-Hexanediol • Citric Acid • Sodium Citrate
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 WaterThe Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 1.
Minimalist Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) 03% Toner contains this as ingredient number 1.
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 GlycerinThe Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 7.
Minimalist Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) 03% Toner contains this as ingredient number 16.
Aspartic Acid is an amino acid that our bodies produce naturally. It is an antioxidant.
Our body uses Aspartic Acid to help build collagen and elastin. It also plays a role in hydrating skin.
Antioxidants help mitigate damage from free-radical molecules. These are molecules that originate from external sources such as pollution, cigarette smoke, or the sun.
Learn more about Aspartic AcidThe Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 12.
Minimalist Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) 03% Toner contains this as ingredient number 23.
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 AlanineThe Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 13.
Minimalist Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) 03% Toner contains this as ingredient number 29.
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 GlycineThe Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 14.
Minimalist Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) 03% Toner contains this as ingredient number 28.
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 SerineThe Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 15.
Minimalist Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) 03% Toner contains this as ingredient number 25.
We don't have a description for Valine.
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 16.
Minimalist Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) 03% Toner contains this as ingredient number 30.
We don't have a description for Isoleucine.
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 17.
Minimalist Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) 03% Toner contains this as ingredient number 32.
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 ProlineThe Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 18.
Minimalist Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) 03% Toner contains this as ingredient number 27.
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 ThreonineThe Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 19.
Minimalist Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) 03% Toner contains this as ingredient number 24.
We don't have a description for Histidine.
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 20.
Minimalist Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) 03% Toner contains this as ingredient number 21.
Phenylalanine is an amino acid. It is a skin soothing and hydrating ingredient. Amino acids play a crucial role in wound healing and skin hydration.
Phenylalanine is also used to help even out skin tone due to its ability to disrupt the melanin production process.
Two structures of phenylalanine exist: L-phenylalanine and D-phenylalanine. L-phenylalanine is essential, this means our bodies cannot produce it naturally and we must get it from foods. Our bodies convert D-phenylalanine to neurotransmitters, and D-phenylalanine is found in our bodies naturally.
Some foods that contain L-phenylalanine include eggs, soybeans, beef, milk.
Learn more about PhenylalanineThe Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 21.
Minimalist Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) 03% Toner contains this as ingredient number 35.
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 AcidThe Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 22.
Minimalist Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) 03% Toner contains this as ingredient number 26.
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 ArginineThe Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 23.
Minimalist Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) 03% Toner contains this as ingredient number 22.
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 AcidThe Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 33.
Minimalist Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) 03% Toner contains this as ingredient number 42.
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is used to help stabilize a product.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it helps prevent metal ions from binding to other ingredients. This prevents unwanted reactions in products. Metal ions can come into a product via the water ingredient. They are found in trace amounts and are not known to be harmful.
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 36.
Minimalist Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) 03% Toner contains this as ingredient number 38.
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.
Minimalist Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) 03% Toner contains this as ingredient number 41.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution 42 ingredients
Minimalist Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) 03% Toner 43 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution 42 ingredients
Minimalist Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) 03% Toner 43 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution 42 ingredients
CustardBunny
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
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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