To Tone Or Not To Tone?

If there is one skin care product that divides the nation of beauty lovers it's toners. And for a long time I was on the fence about them, did they really make a difference? Was it all just in my head? But over the years and going through countless bottles of the stuff and all the different formulations I've worked my way through I have to say yes, they really do make a huge difference. And here is a round up of some that I'm really enjoying right now and well as the difference between AHA's and BHA's.

THE ONE HYDRATING OPTION

Something I have learned over the years and the many bottles of toner I've been through is that some of the hydrating options on the market are total princess products and most don't benefit the skin all that much. There is one however that came into my routine this year and I have to say it's pretty wonderful. Still somewhat of a princess product of course but it's beautiful.

PIXI HYDRATING MILKY MIST*: Most hydrating mists are just rosewater but what makes this one different is that it contains Hyaluronic Acid. Which is a known ingredient for giving the complexion a serious hit of hydration and something that my skin absolutely adores. And even when it's in a more oily stage it doesn't disrupt the balance of it at all which is so important for me. I reach for this if my skin is feeling a little parched and if I want to make a moisture sandwich in my skin with the rest of my products or if I just want a moisture top up. I'm not sure I could say that I think this is something that everyone needs in their skincare routine because it is a total princess product and doesn't make a world of difference in the long run but it still feels awesome.

THE EXFOLIATING OPTIONS

The chemical exfoliators of the toner world are what make me a total sucker for the product and why they're such a staple in my skincare routine. Typically I go for glycolic acid [an AHA] but I do also like salicylic [a BHA] which I find is better for stopping breakouts dead in their tracks whilst glycolic is more of a brightening option for me.

AHA: Sloughs away at dead, dry skin cells to reveal a brighter, tighter complexion.

BHA: Unclogs pore and acts an exfoliant. They also work an as antibacterial which is perfect if you have spot prone or oily skin.

PIXI GLOW TONIC*: Over the years this is the toner that I've used the most and one I can always depend on for brightening my complexion and sloughing away at any dead skin cells that are hanging around without causing any irritation. It contains 5% glycolic acid as well as other ingredients such as ginseng and aloe vera. Having the combination of the glycolic and the aloe vera keeps my skin bright as well as being calm and soothed. I always use GT in AM & PM of my routine after building up my tolerance over many years. That is probably the most important thing to note with chemical exfoliants, you need to build up your tolerance to them over time. And always use an SPF all year round!

SUPERDRUG NATURALLY RADIANT GLYCOLIC ACID*: This is a new option that I've been trying out and it's comparable to GT in so many ways and in a lot of ways I think I prefer it. Again it's got 5% glycolic acid in it as well as some other fruit extracts. It feels incredibly gentle on the skin but it's something that I've still found to brighten beautifully and with so much ease. It's the cheapest chemical exfoliant that I've ever come across and it's vegan-friendly too. So if the Pixi Glow Tonic is something that you've wanted to try and the price has put you off this is such a good option as it's so comparable with its results.

PIXI GLOW PEEL PADS*: Pixi released these Glow Peel Pads last year and they are a much more concentrated version of the original Glow Tonic. It contains four times the amount of glycolic acid so they're seriously brightening. They aren't something you can use every day for that reason otherwise your complexion will more than likely become pretty irritated. Whenever my skin is looking really drab and lackluster these are the perfect option for a more intensive glycolic treatment. I always like to use these in combination with an overnight hydration mask to make sure my complexion doesn't feel tight or dry and remains balanced.