I was recently talking to someone who feels nervous about using any BHAs and AHAs on their skin as they aren’t used to them and were concerned about how aggressive they might be for them.
I have a higher tolerance at this point for AHAs/BHAs/PHAs etc, but it got me thinking: where did I start? Pixi Glow Tonic.
With any types of these acids and liquid exfoliators, it’s so important not to assault your skin with them from the get-go, and just ease it into them. I thought I would delve into the detail of the now-infamous Glow Tonic as it’s a popular starting point for many.
What is it?
It is described as a ‘toner’ with a chemical exfoliant as the main star of the show.
There are a multitude of acids out there – see my previous posts in my ‘Learn Skincare With Me’ series, where some have been covered. In this specific product, the primary exfoliant is Glycolic Acid (the chemical exfoliant alluded to above). This is an AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) which targets the outer layers of the skin and what lurks on it.
What does it do?
As mentioned about, AHAs exfoliate the outer layers of the skin to remove dead cells and brighten your complexion by removing excess oil and impurities, promoting cell turnover. It really does aim to make your skin ‘glow’.
The toner in it sets out to firm and tighten skin in the process, overall giving the skin a good treatment.
Glycolic acid is often touted as a great anti-aging product, as it fights dullness and promotes the skin’s natural collagen production; the number 1 weapon against aging.
Who is it for?
Glow Tonic appears to be suitable for most people – I say this with caution as it may not be suitable for people with very sensitive skin.
It doesn’t discriminate against age – you can use this whether you have younger skin or skin that’s been around for a few decades – and is particularly effective for those with larger pores as the glycolic acid gives them a thorough clean, resulting in a less prominent and possibly smaller appearance.
It’s a great choice for many because of how useable it is for a lot of skin types, although it is primarily targeted at those with combination/oily skin.
How and when should you use it?
As with the person I spoke with recently, some people can find liquid exfoliants a bit daunting if they’re not familiar with them. It is also worth easing into them, as they can be a bit of a shock to the skin if it isn’t used to the kind of work it’ll be put through, and they can be drying if overused.
Pixi Glow Tonic can apparently be used daily (I’ve been somewhere that you can use it twice a day, although I wouldn’t do that personally just because overkill), but it may be worth just using it a few times a week and allowing your skin to adjust to it and see how it reacts. It’s better to take it slow than go from 0-100 and regret it.
The official directions are to dispense some onto a cotton pad and sweep it over your face. This what I used to do and works well, but I always get annoyed at how much product get absorbed by cotton wool pads so over time I actually started decanting a small amount directly onto my hands, momentarily rubbing them together to spread the product, and then gently patting them face for the product to transfer onto my skin. I’ve found this effective for me – it may not be everyone’s method but I prefer the results.
Be aware – AHAs don’t play with will other products (namely Vitamin C), so be mindful of what else you’re using in your routine to avoid irritating your skin or overusing too much of one thing/similar components. It’s also good practice to use SPF with this type of product, as your skin is worked harder and left more exposed to sun damage. I usually use liquid exfoliants at night for this reason and make sure to wear a decent SPF the following day.
The results?
I have never found myself disappointed with Glow Tonic and I can see why it’s so popular. It does exactly as you would hope it would, leaving skin smoother, softer, brighter and just overall better than before.
Over time your skin will likely be able to handle ‘bigger and better’ products AKA higher concentrations of AHAs etc that are more heavy duty, but this is a great starter for someone whose skin hasn’t really been exposed to them yet, or even for anyone that just wants to maintain what they have and keep their skin looking and feeling bright and youthful.
Pixi Glow Tonic is one of the most highly-rated products I’ve seen, and for good reason. It also probably helps that it’s so affordable and easily accessible for most people.
It’s definitely something I’d recommend to someone who wants to start out but isn’t sure where to start and what to include in a routine.
In A Beauty World 
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