5% Glycolic Acid + Betaine + Sodium PCA
Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Toner
Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Toner
Loved by 2,500+ customers
- 5% glycolic acid, second on the list
- Buffered, so you can use it more than once a fortnight
- Twelve ingredients in total — read them all
- No added fragrance, nothing to declare
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Description
Description
A 5% glycolic acid toner for surface build-up, rough texture and skin that has gone dull. Glycolic is the smallest of the AHAs, so it works on the top layer rather than sitting on it — and at 5%, buffered with potassium hydroxide, it's mild enough to use two or three evenings a week instead of once in a while.
Twelve ingredients in total, and you can read every one of them on this page. One acid, three humectants, two organic berry extracts, and what's needed to keep the formula stable. No perfume has been added — the faint rose scent comes from the extracts themselves.
How to use
How to use
Evenings, on skin that's clean and properly dry. A few drops pressed over the face with clean hands is enough — no cotton pad needed. Keep it away from the eye area and the corners of the nose.
Nothing to rinse off. Wait about a minute, then your moisturiser goes straight over the top. Start with two or three evenings a week and build up if your skin stays comfortable. Sunscreen every morning while you're using it, without exception.
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
Rough texture, congestion, dullness and uneven tone. It suits people who've found stronger acids too much to keep up with, and anyone starting out with exfoliation who wants somewhere sensible to begin.
If your skin is very sensitive, or you're already using a prescription retinoid, go every other evening and don't stack the two on the same night. Gluten free, nut free and vegan. There's no added fragrance and nothing on the formula that has to be declared as an allergen, but patch test for 24 hours if your skin usually reacts.
Shipping & returns
Shipping & returns
US orders ship with tracking. Most orders arrive within 2–5 business days after fulfillment. Enjoy free shipping on orders over $49.
If your order arrives damaged, defective, incorrect, or missing an item, please contact us within 30 days of delivery with your order number and photos where applicable. We'll review the issue and arrange a replacement or refund where appropriate.
Ingredients / INCI
How to use it
Start with two or three evenings a week and build up from there if your skin is happy.
Clean, dry skin, in the evening
Dry matters. Applying an acid to damp skin changes how it behaves, so cleanse, pat dry and then reach for this.
One sweep, no cotton wool needed
A few drops pressed over the face with clean hands is enough. Keep it away from the eye area and the corners of the nose.
Wait a minute, then moisturise
Nothing to rinse off. Give it sixty seconds to settle, then your usual cream goes straight over the top.
Sunscreen every morning while you're using an acid. This isn't a suggestion — exfoliated skin burns faster.
Strength isn't the whole story
A higher percentage on the label doesn't automatically do more. What it's mixed with decides how your skin takes it.
| Feature | AVNOIA | Typical high-strength glycolic toner | Weekly peel pads |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glycolic acid | 5%, stated on the page | Often 7–10% | Often 10% and up |
| Ingredients in total | Twelve | Varies | Varies |
| Acid buffered | Yes, with potassium hydroxide | Varies | Rarely |
| Humectants alongside the acid | Glycerin, betaine, Sodium PCA | Varies | Few |
| Added fragrance | None | Varies | Varies |
| Allergens to declare | None | Varies | Varies |
| How often you use it | Two or three evenings a week, building up | Varies | Once a week |
| Money-back window | 60 days, full refund | Varies by retailer | Varies by brand |
Comparison columns describe the category in general, not any specific brand.
What's inside and why it's there
Twelve ingredients in total, all listed on this page. No added fragrance and nothing on the allergen list. Gluten free, nut free and vegan, no GMO ingredients, recyclable packaging.
Glycolic Acid
Second on the list of twelve, at a stated 5%. Glycolic is the smallest of the AHAs, which is why it works on surface build-up and dullness rather than sitting on top doing nothing.
Potassium Hydroxide
It isn't there for your skin — it's there to partly neutralise the acid and hold the pH where glycolic works without being sharp about it. A raw 5% and a buffered 5% are not the same experience.
Glycerin, Betaine + Sodium PCA
Three humectants against one acid, with organic cranberry and lingonberry extract. Exfoliating costs skin water, and this is the part that puts it back.
Questions people ask before buying
Start with two or three evenings a week. If your skin is comfortable after a fortnight, you can work up to nightly. If your skin is sensitive, every other evening is the ceiling for most people — there's no prize for going faster.
Yes, every morning, without exception. Glycolic acid makes skin more sensitive to sunlight, and skipping SPF undoes the work on tone faster than the toner can do it.
Not on the same evening while you're getting used to it. Alternate nights is the sensible way in — acid one night, retinoid the next. Vitamin C is easier because most people use it in the morning anyway.
A brief tingle for a few seconds is normal with any acid. Stinging that doesn't settle, or burning, isn't — rinse it off with cool water and leave a few days before trying again on less frequent use.
No. It stays on. Wait about a minute for it to settle, then your moisturiser goes over the top as normal.
It's last of the twelve ingredients, which tells you how little is in there. It's doing a preservative job and keeping the formula stable — this isn't one of those alcohol-heavy toners that leaves skin tight.
For something you can use several times a week, yes. A 10% acid you can only tolerate once a fortnight does less over a month than a 5% you can actually keep up with. The potassium hydroxide buffering is part of why this one is usable regularly.
There's a soft rose-like scent, but no perfume has been added to create it — it comes from the plant extracts in the formula. Nothing in it has to be declared as an allergen.
Yes to both, and nut free as well. No GMO ingredients, and the bottle is recyclable.
Build the routine
Cleanse, then this, then a moisturiser. Sunscreen the next morning, every morning.
5% Urea + 2% Panthenol Body Cream
Why people stay with it
- 5%, and bufferedStrong enough to work several nights a week, gentle enough that you'll keep going.
- Twelve ingredientsOne acid, three humectants, two organic berry extracts. Nothing in there for the look of it.
- Nothing to declareNo added fragrance and no allergens on the list — unusual for an exfoliating toner.
Made for your everyday routine
Thoughtfully formulated skincare and haircare designed to make your daily routine feel simple, effective and enjoyable.
Free shipping over $49