I don’t know if it’s a change in my body chemistry or a second puberty, but the older I get, the less my regular deodorant helps me. I often run from the office to after-work drinks or to a concert and need a deodorant that can keep up with me. A few months ago, videos started appearing on TikTok about Peeling toner with 7% glycolic acid from The Ordinarya product that promised to be a new alternative to deodorant. I was immediately intrigued.

The hashtag #glycolicacidasdeodorant has brought up hundreds of videos of people ditching deodorant in favor of glycolic acid. On TikTok alone, this trend has garnered over 30 million views. I can immediately see the appeal of the product—there are rave reviews about how it stops body odor, sweat, and underarm pigmentation, all for the low price of $16 a bottle.

As I dove deeper into the rabbit hole of glycolic acid, I learned about its many uses beyond deodorant—it can help with everything from dandruff to dark spots. But the eternal question remains: does it really work? I started using The Ordinary’s Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner about six months ago. Here’s my honest review.

Sephora

Deodorant didn’t help me, so I tried The Ordinary’s Exfoliating Toner with 7% Glycolic Acid.

Per

• Inexpensive
• Stops odors
• Aluminium-free

$15 at Sephora

What is that?

Glycolic acid is a natural compound found in fruits, beets and sugar cane. The Ordinary is obtained from the Tasmanian pepperberry.

Glycolic acid is what’s known as an alpha hydroxy acid, or AHA, a popular ingredient in skin care. Simply put, this compound gently exfoliates the skin by removing dead skin cells so that new cells can grow in their place. What’s special about this acid is that it has the smallest molecules of the entire AHA family, meaning it can easily penetrate pores, which promotes collagen production and kills the bacteria that cause body odor.

Sephora

I’ve been using this 7% glycolic acid exfoliating toner instead of deodorant for six months. Is it as good as the real thing?

$15 at Sephora

According to TikTok beauty experts, the tint solution with glycolic acid can:

How to use it?

I find that it works best when washed straight out of the shower onto clean, dry skin. This is important as water can affect its effectiveness, so be sure to dry off first. To use as a deodorant, put a quarter-sized amount on a cotton pad and dab it on your underarms. Pro tip: don’t use it if you’ve recently shaved as it will burn. This is a lesson I learned the hard way.

Glycolic acid is a natural exfoliant, so you can also use it anywhere that needs a good refresh. Whenever I see dandruff coming on, I apply this product to my scalp and leave it on for 10 minutes before I shower. I also rub it on my heels and elbows when they feel a bit rough to encourage new cell growth. It also helps reduce fine lines and acne scars, so it has become a staple in my skincare routine.

I found the bottle a bit bulky for traveling, so I bought this refillable spray bottles. I fill the product with it so that I can take it with me on the go more easily.

What do dermatologists say?

“Glycolic acid is thought to help reduce body odor by lowering the pH of the skin and making it harder for odor-causing bacteria to survive,” said Dr. Marisa K Garshick, a board-certified dermatologist. Today. “By removing dead skin cells and lowering the pH of the skin, it can also help prevent body odor by preventing its formation and reducing the likelihood of bacteria leading to foul odors.”

While many TikTok users have had success using glycolic acid to keep their body odor at bay, there are some caveats: “Applying glycolic acid does not reduce sweating,” says Garshick. “To be considered an antiperspirant or antiperspirant product, a product must contain an aluminum-based compound that forms a plug that blocks the release of sweat.”

Since glycolic acid is an exfoliant, you should also be aware of redness, flaking, and sensitivity in the areas where it is applied.

The verdict

I love the multifunctionality Peeling toner with 7% glycolic acid from The Ordinary It truly feels like the answer to all my skincare needs: pigmentation, peeling, smell, dandruff – the list goes on! I can’t think of another product that does so many things and does them so well.

This product outperforms any regular deodorant I’ve ever tried and leaves me smelling fresh for hours. I apply a generous amount in the morning and am odor free all day long. As mentioned, it doesn’t prevent sweating, which might be a deal breaker for some, but I don’t mind. I wear black a lot, so I also love that this product doesn’t leave a white residue on my clothes like regular deodorants do. Personally, I doubt I’ll ever go back to a regular deodorant.

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