Best Exfoliating Acid Toners UK
Leave-on acid toners with AHAs (glycolic, lactic, mandelic) or BHA (salicylic) gently dissolve dead skin cells for smoother, brighter skin. Introduce them gradually and wear sunscreen.
10 exfoliating acid toners compared
Our top pick is The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner: glycolic acid is the 2nd of 42 ingredients and no fragrance is listed. No7 Good Intent Pore Buff Clarifying Acid Pads 80 Pads and COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner 150ml come next. We rank on ingredient lists only, not skin testing.
| Product | Key ingredient (position) | Fragrance | Brand says it suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner | Glycolic Acid — 2nd of 42 | None listed | Not stated |
| 2. No7 Good Intent Pore Buff Clarifying Acid Pads 80 Pads | Glycolic Acid — 5th of 12 | None listed | Not stated |
| 3. COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner 150ml | Lactic Acid — 6th of 11 | None listed | Not stated |
| 4. Clinique Clarifying Lotion Twice a Day Exfoliator 3 for Combination/Oily Skin 400ml | Salicylic Acid — 3rd of 17 | None listed | Combination and oily |
| 5. Clinique Clarifying Do-Over Peel 30ml | Glycolic Acid — 3rd of 20 | None listed | Dry, combination and oily |
| 6. Eucerin Dermopure Clinical Purifying Toner, 200ml | Gluconolactone — 4th of 12 | None listed | Not stated |
| 7. NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Toner with Salicylic Acid, 200ml | Salicylic Acid — 6th of 13 | Fragrance | Not stated |
| 8. L'Oréal Paris Bright Reveal Dark Spot Exfoliant Peel 25% AHA + BHA + PHA and Niacinamide 25ml | Lactic Acid — 3rd of 25 | Fragrance | Not stated |
| 9. Clinique Clarifying Lotion 1 for Very Dry Skin 400ml | Salicylic Acid — 7th of 16 | None listed | Very dry and dry |
| 10. Garnier Vitamin C Brightening Toner | Salicylic Acid — 8th of 24 | Fragrance | Not stated |
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The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner
- Glycolic Acid is the 2nd of 42 ingredients
- No fragrance listed
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No7 Good Intent Pore Buff Clarifying Acid Pads 80 Pads
- Glycolic Acid is the 5th of 12 ingredients
- No fragrance listed
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COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner 150ml
- Lactic Acid is the 6th of 11 ingredients
- No fragrance listed
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Clinique Clarifying Lotion Twice a Day Exfoliator 3 for Combination/Oily Skin 400ml
- Salicylic Acid is the 3rd of 17 ingredients
- No fragrance listed
- Drying alcohol high in the list
- Brand recommends for combination and oily skin
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Clinique Clarifying Do-Over Peel 30ml
- Glycolic Acid is the 3rd of 20 ingredients
- No fragrance listed
- Drying alcohol high in the list
- Brand recommends for dry, combination and oily skin
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Eucerin Dermopure Clinical Purifying Toner, 200ml
- Gluconolactone (PHA) is the 4th of 12 ingredients
- No fragrance listed
- Drying alcohol high in the list
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NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Toner with Salicylic Acid, 200ml
- Salicylic Acid is the 6th of 13 ingredients
- Contains fragrance
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L'Oréal Paris Bright Reveal Dark Spot Exfoliant Peel 25% AHA + BHA + PHA and Niacinamide 25ml
- Lactic Acid is the 3rd of 25 ingredients
- Contains fragrance
- Drying alcohol high in the list
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Clinique Clarifying Lotion 1 for Very Dry Skin 400ml
- Salicylic Acid is the 7th of 16 ingredients
- No fragrance listed
- Drying alcohol high in the list
- Brand recommends for very dry and dry skin
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Garnier Vitamin C Brightening Toner
- Salicylic Acid is the 8th of 24 ingredients
- Contains fragrance
Paid link · Opens Amazon.co.uk
How we picked
We compare products only on what their ingredient lists show — we haven't tested them on skin, and no brand pays to be included. On UK and EU labels, ingredients above 1% must be listed from highest to lowest concentration, so we rank products higher when the key ingredient sits nearer the top — a useful guide, though not an exact measure of strength. Products with no fragrance listed score higher; drying alcohol near the top and essential oils score lower; and we give credit when the brand says a product is made for the skin type in question. Whether a product is available on Amazon never affects its rank.
New to glycolic acid? Read what it does and who it suits →