Friday, April 24, 2015

Cult Classics: Pixi Beauty Glow Tonic Review

For about past year and a half, I've been religious about using an acid exfoliant in the form of a liquid (toner) or saturated pads twice a day. You may remember that First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads made it into my 2014 Best Beauty Buys, and I still use and love them; I do think however that your skin can get used to a given acid combination, and it's important to switch things around a bit to keep seeing the result. Which is why I purchased the immensely popular Pixi Glow Tonic ($29 for 250ml/ 8.25 fl oz) when I spotted it on BOGO sale late last year.
There's not much to say about the actual product: it's incredibly simple, both in packaging design and the ingredients (low concentration of glycolic acid - 5% in an aloe vera and witch hazel base). Belly, who recommended the Glow Tonic to me, thinks the scent is a bit botanical, but it really reminds me of generic toiletries one finds in a hotel bathroom - not unpleasant though. Partially because of the added fragrance, Beautypedia gave the Glow Tonic a really low rating, reasoning that it wasn't gentle or suitable for sensitive skin, and while your personal mileage may vary, I've found the opposite to be true on my easily irritated skin. The consistency is liquid like water, and like water, it aborbs immediately with absolutely no greasy or sticky residue, which has been an issue for me with Paula's Choice BHA liquid exfoliant and the Peter Thomas Roth Un-Wrinkle Pads (reviewed here).

I've been using my bottle for about a month now, and I'm very happy with the results (btw, it seems that a bottle this size should last me about 6 months). First of all, I get absolutely no irritation, stinging or redness whatsoever when using the Glow Tonic - I don't want to have well exfoliated face at the expense of angry skin or a rash. In fact, it's so gentle and refreshing that I love using it in the mornings, especially after a gym session - it just feels like my face is being cleansed and soothed at the same time.

However, sometimes the problem with extra gentle exfoliants is that they don't actually do anything, am I right? That's fortunately not the case with the Glow Tonic. I have noticed less overall congestion and breakouts recently, and at the same time, I have a lot less surface dehydration (dry flakes and lines). This translates to a more even, glowy complexion that's also prepped well for make-up application.
You know what guys, there haven't been many times in my life when I could have said this, but I'm currently pretty happy with my skin. If you're a long-time reader, you know that I've been struggling with acne and excessive oilies for years now - we're talking close to 15 years. But since the beginning of this year, my skin has been gradually improving, and I think gentle daily exfoliation is one of the bigger contributing factors. Let me know if you'd be interested in a separate post discussing things that helped the clarity of my skin - I realize a lot of you also struggle with pesky breakouts, clogged pores, uneven texture AND dry flakes all the same time. Maybe some of the things I've been trying would be helpful to you as well.

What do you use to exfoliate your skin? Do you prefer gentle exfoliants used more often, or something stronger once a week? I actually do both; use my Pixi Glow Tonic in the morning and the First Aid Beauty Pads in the evening, but once a week, I dig out an exfoliating mask and follow it up with Dr. Wu Mandelic Acid Serum, reviewed here. Let me know if you have any product recommendations, I'm always on the lookout for a good chemical exfoliant!

21 comments:

  1. That's it! ORDERED. My skin needs something like this! I hope it doesn't irritate like almost everything else does! I've been thinking about getting this for awhile, but finally someone I trust like it! So yay! Thank you Monika!

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    1. Woohoo! I hope you like it, Tracy - Belly really likes it too :D Have you tried the FAB pads, by the way? They're really gentle as well; maybe too gentle for some folks (I think both Liz and Larie said those did nothing for them) but they work really well for me!

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  2. I should try a toner like this again. I use a hydrating essence type thing right now, but something like this might not be bad to have on hand, although I'd prolly only use it once a week or so.

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    1. So yeah, Blogger just ate my own comment :/ As I was saying, I also use a hydrating spray after wiping with acid exfoliants - I currently use an imortelle hydrosol, and the smell of that thing is like an incredibly potent hay/weeds/motor oil all in one bottle :D If you decide to try the Pixi, you can knock some $$$ off by signing up for their newsletter and stuff like that on their website; they have this nifty point system for discounts on purchases.

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  3. I have been curious about this for SO LONG but the bottle never crossed the Canadian border and I've been too lazy to order it online. Really glad it works well for you and that your skin has found its zen zone. Mine has been much better lately too and I think I'll stick to the PTR 10% Glycolic Toner which works as well for me as the Pixi Tonic does for you!

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    1. Oh, did they send one to you and it got held up by customs? How rude. You know, Liz, I've been thinking about your comment on the Freeman facial masks post, and I think that while we both have oily and acne-prone skin, mine must be much more sensitive and reactive - so products that are gentle and work well for me are often too wimpy for you, and the stuff that works well for you is often too strong for me. Maybe you'd like the PTR Un-Wrinkle pads too? I think they have a travel size available for less.

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    2. No, it just wasn't made available to Canada. I inquired but weirdly not allowed to cross the border officially!

      I think it's helpful to pinpoint similarities as well as opposites. I actually have those PTR pads but haven't opened them yet since I'm going through Skyn Iceland first. Agree that they're likely to work pretty well for me and you should probably stay away. :)

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    3. Haha, that's interesting about the Glow Tonic not being available in Canada! I've just finished my jar of the PTR pads and thought they worked well, but sometimes stung a bit, and I disliked the greasy/sticky residue (because I was too lazy to rinse after applying these - just followed with a hydrating spritz). Let me know once you start using your jar how you're liking them!

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  4. I was thinking about getting this - an acid toner seemed like such an easy thing to add! - but ultimately I sprang for the Biologique Recherche (hope I spelled that right!) P50V. I've only been using it for three weeks, but so far: LOVE. Wow.

    I'd considered the PTR 10% glycolic (I really liked the Un-Wrinkle pads!) but ended up deciding it might be too strong and that the Pixi might be too weak, since I'd been using acids for so long... But if I ever get any signs of irritation, I'm trying the Pixi for sure. I've only seen raves!

    (I know I don't comment much - I don't always feel like I have something to say - but I really enjoy your skincare posts!)

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    1. Hi Adele! Aaah, Biologique Recherche... so difficult to get hold of, so expensive :/ Surprisingly enough, I found their display in a small 'natural' pharmacy in Williamsburg a couple months ago, but haven't yet sprung for a bottle. I may though, since you like it so much!

      I've been using acids for a while now too, and I've found that stronger doesn't really mean more effective for me. I think if I abuse my face with too much acid, it goes out of whack and reacts with more congestion sometimes - oh yeah, and I actually got a nasty rash once from using too much Mario Badescu Glycolic Toner. But the P50V is the more gentle version, right?

      I always notice when you comment and appreciate it; thank you for saying you like the skincare posts, because I often feel that they're not quite as popular as the make-up ones. But I love skincare, so... I'll post them anyhow :D

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    2. I actually ordered online, and the amount of samples they included was... shocking. Amazing. I was thrilled. They were also really helpful in recommending which strength - I was considering the regular P50 (not the phenol version; I'm not brave enough for that), but they said to try the P50V, which is the medium strength. I think there's one version even weaker.

      Please do! They're so well-informed, and I love reading about people who try things slowly and then make informed decisions about them, because that's what I'm trying so hard to do!

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  5. I wish this had worked for me bc I love the price!! Unfortunately, my skin had a bad reaction & I gave it away. So glad you are loving it!!! Luckily glycolic acid is still working well for me though☺️

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  6. Yep, I struggle with ALL those things! It's cruel... But this sounds great! I'm writing it down as we speak.

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  7. I would recommend the Clarins Gentle Exfoliating Toner, I've had that for a while and really like it, it's quite comparable to the Pixi as well :) xxx

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  8. I agree with the switching things up and also using gentle exfoliator. You know I'm a fan of PC 2% BHA, but even that I've been using it every other day now as it is quite strong. I really don't like PC's AHA/glycolic exfoliants -- all of them are tacky & slimey at the same time, think egg white! I think when I'm through with my bottle of BHA, I may venture out to something else. Thanks for sharing this Pixi review!

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  9. I'm using this at the moment as well and trying to be good with not skipping it as a step. I normally only use it at night after cleansing. I do think it makes a difference to the overall texture and condition of my skin, especially with regular use. It is gentle and thankfully doesn't irritate or dry out my skin. I'm not sure how I will go about repurchasing it when mine runs out, but I did recently buy theBalm's White Tea Geranium Face Toner which I intend to use the same way as Pixi Glow Tonic.

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  10. Is this available online only? I can never find it at my local target. I'm pretty much wedding to my PTR Glycolic Acid 10% but agree that it might be time to switch things up a bit. Very informative post as always.

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  11. I worked through a bottle of this without it doing a great deal for my skin, then started on a bottle of PTR Glycolic Acid 10%. Personally, I will not be looking back! I can finally see the complexion refining results people talk about with AHAs. It gives me abit of a prickly/tingly sensation for a few minutes, but no redness or irritation at all.
    Glad you're seeing results with this gentler and cheaper option, and reaching a happy place with your skin (man, I understand the dryness-acne struggle).

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  12. I have been using this Tonic for almost 2 years now and it's made a huge difference in my skin as well! I am glad you like it too!

    http://herandmakeup.com

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  13. Hi there, I know this is rather a delayed comment on your post but I have only just come across it ...and your entire blog which I am thourouly enjoying btw. I've hideous acne prone, super sensitive/reactive and horrendously oily skin (it's truly a joy :() but just discovered pixi glow and quite liking it for all the reasons you state. I've done a bit of googling around bha (apparently better for acne than the aha -pixi) and just wondered if you had any experience or thoughts on this? Also if you ever did the post/blog on the things that have helped the clarity of your skin you mentioned? I would be extremely interested in this.
    Thank you for your time.
    Jo x

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    1. Hi Jo,
      Thank you so much for reading my blog, I truly appreciate it! I've used a lot of products with BHA as well (not currently, because I'm pregnant) and to be honest, I've never noticed a huge difference in how my skin was responding to glycolic vs salicylic acid. I think for me, the key is more in using a gentle formula very consistently (every morning and night). I have also written this post about my general 'skincare rules', maybe you'll find it helpful:
      https://rocaille-writes.blogspot.com/2015/08/my-5-basic-principles-for-clearer.html

      Also I have to add that the condition of my skin is due in a large portion to my hormones. For example right now, I don't really get any cystic spots whatsoever, and very few breakouts all in all - which has previously only been the case when I was taking antibiotics for acne. Yay for pregnancy hormones!

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