The 10 Best Glycolic Acid Toners of 2023 for Glowing Skin

Glycolic acid is an absolute star in skincare—it’s beloved by dermatologists, skincare experts, and Byrdie editors alike, and it impresses with its many benefits.

Hydroxy acids are an excellent chemical exfoliant that sloughs off dead skin cells to prevent clogged pores and dull skin, while also fighting wrinkles.

“Glycolic acid is a must,” says celebrity aesthetician and Byrdie skincare expert Renée Rouleau. “It chemically removes the cellular debris that causes clogged pores and skin blemishes, and is an important part of anti-aging care.”

There are countless ways to incorporate this superstar into your routine, but facial toner is arguably the easiest. Wash your face before bed, then apply it all over your skin before applying serum or moisturizer. It’s that simple.

Ready to give it a try? Read on to learn about our favorite glycolic acid toners.

Best Overall Winner: Mario Badescu Glycolic Acid Toner

Key Ingredients: Aloe vera is a natural ingredient known for its soothing and hydrating properties. The gel mucus inside the aloe vera plant (the part used in skincare products) is 99.5% water.

Glycolic acid is generally a great ingredient for all skin types. However, if you have a complexion that’s both oily and dry, this toner is worth a try.

Since glycolic acid is at a lower concentration (2%), there may be less risk of irritating dry areas, especially when combined with hydrating aloe vera.

Best Affordable: The Ordinary 7% Glycolic Acid Toner

We’re always surprised when we see the price of products from this brand, and this toner is no exception. Like the others, it focuses on one singular star ingredient—in this case, of course, glycolic acid at a whopping 7% concentration.

While that’s the star, it’s combined with amino acids, ginseng, and aloe vera to further hydrate and soothe the skin.

Best Drugstore: Pixi Glow Tonic

This formula is a highlight of the brand and an integral part of the Byrdie team. It’s praised for its affordable price and effective yet gentle formula.

Glycolic acid works with soothing aloe and ginseng to boost circulation for a more radiant complexion.

It leaves your complexion clear and glowy without unwanted redness or uncomfortable stinging.

Best for Dry Skin: Reviva Labs Glycolic Acid Facial Toner

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid is a polysaccharide found naturally in the human body. It cushions and lubricates our joints, nerves, hair, skin, and eyes. In skin care it acts as a moisture binder, or h.

It binds to water in cells (while attracting and retaining moisture from the air) to plump up the skin.

Toners are often associated with oily skin, but that’s not true. The right formula (like this one) works really well even on dry skin. Fun fact: AHAs like glycolic acid actually have a subtle hydrating effect4, and it’s also combined with ultra-hydrating hyaluronic acid and aloe.

Top Pick: Glamglow Supertoner Exfoliating Acid Solution Toner

The brand’s first toner is fantastic and well worth the money. Glycolic acid is just one ingredient in a blend of six acids that delivers an impressive exfoliating effect.

Astringent witch hazel and cleansing activated charcoal remove dirt and deposits from pores. The product absorbs quickly into the skin without leaving any sticky residue.

During the settling process, ingredients in toners may settle. Therefore, shake the bottle thoroughly before use.

Best for Brightening Skin: Bolden Brightening Glycolic Acid Toner

Whether you want to fade dark spots caused by sun exposure, acne scars, or something else, this formula has you covered. Because it not only contains exfoliating glycolic acid, but also some highly effective brightening ingredients.

Namely, niacinamide, licorice root extract, and algae extract, which is also a powerful antioxidant.

Best for Acne-Prone Skin: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Solutions Anti-Acne Toner

Anyone who suffers from acne should use a toner in their daily routine. It cleanses the skin more thoroughly while having an exfoliating effect. This toner is great for acne-prone skin—it’s oil-free and combines glycolic acid with oil-soluble salicylic acid to further combat clogged pores, blackheads, and pimples.

Best Natural Product: Evolve Beauty Rainforest Rescue Blemish Serum

Made with 100% natural and 64% organic ingredients, this formula is free of any potentially harmful chemicals. It’s suitable for all skin types and combines glycolic and fruit acids (malic acid from apples and citric acid from citrus fruits) with salicylic acid.

The light scent is natural, and the preservative is also natural, an ingredient extracted from sugar cane.

Best Scrub: Glossier Solution

This standout product is so good that it even convinced Byrdie Editor-in-Chief Hallie Gould (a fan of a pricey toner) to switch to this one. Three different acids—AHAs (including glycolic and lactic acids), BHAs, and PHAS (a very gentle acid)—work together to dissolve cells and improve skin texture, tone, and feel.

6 Despite its powerful exfoliating action, it’s gentle enough for daily use thanks to soothing ingredients like niacinamide and glycerin.

Best Spray: CosRX AHA/BHA Treatment Toner

Spray toners are a winner when it comes to ease of use—no cotton pads required, just spritz wherever and whenever you need it. This particular spray is another formula that combines a powerful combination of glycolic acid and beta hydroxy acid to refine pores and skin texture and reduce excess oil.

It’s also great for hard-to-reach, blemish-prone areas of the body (like the back and chest).

Conclusion

Glycolic acid is in nearly every skincare routine, and using it in a toner is one of the easiest ways to do it. There’s an option for every skin type and need, with the SkinCeuticals Conditioning Toner and Pixi Glow Tonic both being Byrdie favorites.

If you’re looking for a brightening effect, try the Bolden Brightening Glycolic Acid Toner. If you’re battling skin blemishes, consider a combination of glycolic and salicylic acid. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Micro-Exfoliating Astringent and CosRX AHA/BHA Purifying Toner are both great for this purpose.

What to Buy for Glycolic Acid Toner

Liquids and Sprays

Toners come in two main forms: spray or liquid. Neither is better than the other, it just comes down to your personal preference. Sprays feel very refreshing on the skin and can be lightly spritzed on the face. Liquids, on the other hand, are applied with a cotton pad and then gently wiped on the face.

Additional Ingredients

Since glycolic acid is an exfoliant, it’s often combined with soothing and hydrating ingredients for optimal skin compatibility. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, and niacinamide, as they can soothe the skin and retain moisture.

Focus

When choosing a glycolic acid toner, dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner considers the glycolic acid concentration in the product. “The higher the concentration, the more acidic the product,” he says. And the more acidic the product, the more irritating it is (and can be more irritating).

If you’re new to using skincare acids, start with a concentration below 8 percent. However, once you’ve built up a tolerance, concentrations between 8 and 10 percent will achieve noticeable results.

pH

Another important factor Dr. Zeichner looks at is the pH of the product. “The lower the pH, the better the skin exfoliation,” he explains. “At the same time, the lower the pH, the stronger the effect on the skin.”

Acidic facial toners with a pH of around 2 are generally very effective. It’s worth noting that they’re no longer effective when the pH level rises above 4.

Moisturizing Ingredients

Since glycolic acid can be somewhat harsh on the skin, dermatologist Dr. Hadley King recommends looking for toners with moisturizing ingredients. “Look for products with glycolic and lactic acid.

This combination gently exfoliates the skin and hydrates the skin,” she says. “Lactic acid is an AHA with hydrating properties.” In addition to lactic acid, aloe vera, glycerin, and chamomile are other ingredients you should look out for to moisturize and soothe the skin.

This is how we researched and tested

To come up with this list, our team of editors and writers spent hours researching the best products in this category and evaluating their key features (like ingredients, color palette, and design) as well as customer reviews and ratings from other reliable sources.

Our team also took into account personal testing experiences. We used these insights to rate the products on our list on a scale of one to five (five being the best and one being the worst).

FAQ

What does glycolic acid toner do?

“Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid peel,” explains Dr Kemi Fabusiwa, a skin care expert and junior doctor in the UK. “Toners can help remove the outermost layer of dead and dying skin cells that clog the pores.”

This can help improve acne, pigmentation and premature skin ageing. Glycolic acid can also boost collagen turnover. Glycolic acid cleansers can also be used.

Can I use a glycolic acid toner every day? What role should it play in my routine?

Dr Fabusiwa says it depends on the strength of the glycolic acid and the sensitivity of your skin. “Concentrations above 5% glycolic acid can irritate the skin,” she explains.

Generally, start by using glycolic acid two to three times a week and see how your skin adjusts. If you notice signs of inflammation (redness, swelling, warmth and irritation), you can use the glycolic acid less often or at a lower concentration.