Side-by-side comparison

Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0 vs The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toning Solution

Both exfoliants contain Glycolic Acid, but each adds something the other doesn't. Here's where they overlap and where they split.

1Shared hero active
Medicube
Zero Pore Pad 2.0
ExfoliantPremiumEvening only
CongestionOilinessRough Texture

Dual-textured toner pads with a low-dose AHA/BHA/PHA blend plus witch hazel and niacinamide, aimed at pores and texture. Convenient and effective for oily skin, but the multi-acid plus astringent mix can over-exfoliate if used daily.

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The Ordinary
Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toning Solution
ExfoliantBudgetEvening only
DullnessRough TextureCongestion

A 7% glycolic acid toner with aloe, ginseng and Tasmanian pepperberry to temper sting. A cult budget AHA for glow and texture; potent enough that it's a once-every-few-days step, not a daily toner, and demands daytime SPF.

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The verdict

Which should you choose?

Both contain Glycolic Acid. Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0 adds Salicylic Acid and Niacinamide. Pick the one whose extra matches what you're treating. Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0 is the better fit for oiliness; The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toning Solution for dullness. On price, The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toning Solution is the less expensive option (Budget versus Premium).

The overlap

What they share

This hero active appears in both formulas:

Glycolic Acid
The formulation

Ingredient stacks, side by side

Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0 — top of the list

  • Aqua~50–80%
  • Butylene Glycol~5–25%
  • Glycerin~3–10%
  • Niacinamide~2–6%
  • Hamamelis Virgi…~1.5–4%

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toning Solution — top of the list

  • Aqua~50–80%
  • Glycolic Acid~5–25%
  • Rosa Damascena …~3–10%
  • Centaurea Cyanu…~2–6%
  • Aloe Barbadensi…~1.5–4%

● marks ingredients that appear near the top of both lists. Percentages are positional estimates from INCI order, not disclosed doses.

At a glance

The specs

Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toning Solution
CategoryExfoliantExfoliant
Price tierPremiumBudget
Best forCongestion, Oiliness, Rough TextureDullness, Rough Texture, Congestion
Usage notesEvening onlyEvening only
Shared hero activesGlycolic Acid
Questions

Common questions

Is the Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0 or The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toning Solution better?
It depends on what you're treating. Both contain Glycolic Acid; Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0 adds Salicylic Acid and Niacinamide.
What's the difference between the Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0 and The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toning Solution?
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0's hero actives are Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid and Niacinamide. The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toning Solution's are Glycolic Acid, Aloe Vera and Ginseng. They also sit in different price tiers (Premium versus Budget).
Are the Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0 and The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toning Solution dupes for each other?
Partly. They share Glycolic Acid, but Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0's Salicylic Acid and Niacinamide aren't in the other, so they aren't full substitutes.
Can I use the Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0 and The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toning Solution together?
They both fill the exfoliant slot in a routine, so you'd normally pick one. If you like both, use one in the morning and the other at night, and patch-test when introducing anything new.
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1 shared hero active

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