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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 Thayers Witch Hazel Alcohol Free Toner Cucumber .

Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on August 10, 2021

Overview

What they are

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

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin and brightening skin

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, 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
Toner American Brand United States

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

Shop

Buy Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution

Starts at $8.54
Shop

Buy Witch Hazel Alcohol Free Toner Cucumber

Starts at $10.95

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

Benefits

Hydrating
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation
Brightening
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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: 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

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

Thayers Witch Hazel Alcohol Free Toner Cucumber contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
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

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

Thayers Witch Hazel Alcohol Free Toner Cucumber contains this as ingredient number 3.

3
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

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

Thayers Witch Hazel Alcohol Free Toner Cucumber 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
57% are loved or liked
0% have mixed ratings
29% are disliked or very disliked
14% 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

Thayers Witch Hazel Alcohol Free Toner Cucumber 7 ingredients

Witch Hazel Alcohol Free Toner Cucumber hasn't been rated yet.
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Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 31 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution.

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