01
Glycolic Acid
Glycolic Acid
The primary exfoliant that helps loosen surface cell bonds for smoother-looking texture and more even clarity over time.
STEP 2 OF 9 IN THE GLOW RITUAL
The Sweep : Glycolic Exfoliating Toner
glycolic exfoliating toner
A clear 5% glycolic acid toner that lifts surface build-up, supports a smoother-feeling texture, and leaves the complexion looking progressively more even with use.
£37
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Made fresh once you order
- Dispatched within 2 working days
- Free UK shipping over £75
Made fresh for you once you order · dispatched within 2 working days.
On the skin
What this bottle brings
- 01
Clears surface build-up with 5% glycolic acid
- 02
Leaves skin feeling clean, never residue-heavy
- 03
Reveals smoother, more even-looking complexion over time
Why this exists
Many exfoliating toners sit at either extreme : too weak to change surface build-up in any meaningful way, or so forceful that they leave skin feeling stripped and unsettled. This formula is designed to avoid both failure modes. It uses 5% Glycolic Acid, a well-established AHA with a small molecular size and effective working pH, to loosen the bonds that hold dead cells at the surface and support regular turnover. At the same time, Betaine and Sodium PCA help replenish moisture components that can be depleted during exfoliation, while cranberry and lingonberry extracts add antioxidant support around the application step. The result is a toning solution that fits between cleansing and serum care as a measured resurfacing layer, not a harsh reset.
Inside the bottle
The key actives
02
Betaine
Betaine
Helps condition the skin and support comfort after exfoliation, reducing the feeling of dryness or tightness.
03
Sodium PCA
Sodium PCA
A naturally occurring moisturising factor component that helps maintain surface hydration as the acid works.
04
Organic Cranberry Extract
Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Fruit Extract
Provides antioxidant support from naturally occurring polyphenols around a moment of increased surface sensitivity.
05
Organic Lingonberry Extract
Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea (Lingonberry) Fruit Extract
Adds further antioxidant support to help round out the exfoliating step with a more conditioning finish.
On the skin
Clear and low-viscosity, it spreads easily without drag. It absorbs quickly and leaves no residue. The finish is clean rather than sticky.
Where this sits
Your place in The Glow Ritual
From first cleanse to final seal, this is step 2 of 9 in the full Glow Ritual : the exfoliating toner that clears build-up before treatment.
- Step 1The Reveal Radiant Glow Face Wash
- Step 2The Sweep Glycolic Exfoliating TonerYou are here
- Step 3The Polish Resurfacing Kojic Exfoliator
- Step 4The Surface AHA Peeling Concentrate
- Step 5The Light Vitamin C Glow Serum
- Step 6The Even Niacinamide Gel Moisturiser
- Step 7The Glow Marine Active Day Cream
- Step 8The Lift Peptide Firming Serum
- Step 9The Sheen Omega-Rich Body Oil
Build it as a ritual
Build yourGlow Ritual
Add the steps you don't already use. Your bag updates in real time. Rewards apply at checkout, automatically.
The Reveal Radiant Glow Face Wash
£36
The Sweep Glycolic Exfoliating Toner
£37
The Polish Resurfacing Kojic Exfoliator
£35
The Surface AHA Peeling Concentrate
£37
The Light Vitamin C Glow Serum
£33
The Even Niacinamide Gel Moisturiser
£35
The Glow Marine Active Day Cream
£32
The Lift Peptide Firming Serum
£34
The Sheen Omega-Rich Body Oil
£48
Complete the ritual. Qualifying orders enjoy Complimentary Shipping, a Complimentary Candle and 10% OVESSI Reward.
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Rewards apply automatically at checkout. Complimentary Shipping over £75. Final price calculated by Shopify at checkout.
The application
How to layer this
-
1
Cleanse first
Apply after cleansing on clean, dry skin. Use a cotton pad or hands, depending on your preference and how much product you want to place across the face.
-
2
Let it sit briefly
Allow the toner to settle before layering the rest of your ritual. A mild tingle on application can occur and should pass quickly.
-
3
Follow with serums
Move on to your serum step once the skin feels settled. In the morning, finish with moisturiser and SPF, and in the evening continue with your moisturiser.
-
4
Start with moderation
Begin a few times per week, then adjust based on your skin's tolerance. This helps you keep the exfoliating benefits without overdoing the surface layer.
What to expect
On the skin, over time
Day 1
You may notice a faint tingling on application that fades within about 30 seconds. By morning, the skin can feel smoother to the touch and lightly more luminous.
Week 1
Surface build-up starts to look less pronounced, and makeup or skincare may sit more evenly. The skin should still feel comfortable if you are using it at an appropriate frequency.
Week 4
With consistent use, texture appears gradually refined and overall clarity looks more balanced. The change is cumulative rather than instant, with the surface feeling more regularly renewed.
The deeper detail
The formulation, the provenance, the standard
Formulation
Glycolic Acid at 5% is the primary active. As the smallest alpha-hydroxy acid by molecular weight, it achieves the deepest surface penetration of the AHA family, loosening corneodesmosomes : the protein bonds that hold dead cells at the surface : and allowing them to shed more rapidly. This physical turnover acceleration is what produces the texture improvements and clarity gains that consistent users of Glycolic Acid report; it is not a temporary surface smoothing but a genuine change in how fast the surface renews itself.
Potassium Hydroxide is used to bring the pH into the 3.5 to 4 range, the window where Glycolic Acid exfoliates effectively while remaining within normal skin's tolerance. Glycerin provides baseline moisture support. Betaine, derived here from organic sources, and Sodium PCA together restore the skin's surface hydration layer immediately after the acid acts, preventing the post-application tightness that indicates over-stripping.
Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Fruit Extract and Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea (Lingonberry) Fruit Extract : both organically sourced : contribute antioxidant activity from their natural polyphenol content. These Nordic berry extracts are included because the skin is briefly more sensitive to oxidative stress immediately following AHA application, and short-circuiting that sensitivity is part of good formulation. Sodium Levulinate and Sodium Benzoate maintain microbiome-compatible preservation. The formula is fragrance-free in practice, clear, and applies simply with a cotton pad.
Provenance
A small-batch boutique skincare house, made to order. Every bottle is formulated and filled within two working days of your order, then dispatched from the fulfilment centre closest to you : our European facility for United Kingdom and European Union customers, our United States facility for North American customers. Because every bottle is bottled to order, what arrives at your door is at the peak of its actives : nothing has been sitting against light, heat, or oxygen for months. Two-day production is the price of formulation freshness, and the boutique standard we hold ourselves to.
Cruelty-free. Vegan. Gluten free. Allergen Label Free.
From our community
Reviews and reflections
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softer feel, less fuss
simple toner, skin looks happier with it
-
Verified
does the job
The glycolic does tingle a bit at first but leaves skin clean and smooth. I've even used it over makeup.
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Verified
Pricey, yet decent
Price is a bit high, but the toner gives fair value and leaves things looking more even.
-
Verified
works
Brief sting then cleaner skin.
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Verified
Glow after use
Applied this, one pump helps dry patches look less obvious by noon, with a bright feel from vitamin C tone.
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Verified
effective but not gentle
Does what it says. Not for beginners.
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gradual but real
Use it a few nights a week. doesn't leave me tight and texture looks more even after a couple weeks.
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Verified
tingles then works
I use it on a cotton pad after cleansing and the tingle lasts maybe 30 seconds. By morning my skin looks less congested and the evening ritual feels proper. Only thing is the clear liquid means it's easy to overuse if you're not careful, so I go light with it and that works best for me.
Every OVESSI order is prepared once you place it. Your order is filled, sealed and labelled for you, then dispatched within 2 working days. Nothing waits on a warehouse shelf.
- ✦Made fresh
- ○ 2-day dispatch
- →UK 3 to 7 / EU 5 to 10 / US 2 to 5 days
In case you wondered
Frequently asked
What does a 5% glycolic acid toner do?
It helps dissolve the bonds between dead surface cells so they shed more evenly. Over time, that can support a smoother-feeling texture and a more uniform-looking complexion.
How often should I use it?
Start a few times per week and increase only if your skin is comfortable. This is an exfoliating step, so consistency matters more than daily use for most people.
Can I use it in the morning?
Yes, but if you use glycolic acid in the morning, SPF is essential afterwards. Many people prefer to use it in the evening, or alternate based on their skin's needs.
Can I layer it with other actives?
Be cautious with other strong exfoliants or sensitising actives in the same ritual. If you use retinoids or additional acids, it is often best to separate them.
Will it feel sticky or leave residue?
No. It is described as a clear, low-viscosity toning solution with a clean finish and quick absorption.
When will my order arrive?
We start preparing your bottle once your order is placed and dispatch within 2 business days. From dispatch, delivery is UK 3 to 7 business days, EU 5 to 10 business days, US 2 to 5 business days.
Pair it with
Complete the Glow Ritual
Small batch. Filled for you. Made in EU and US.
