Beauty Editors Love This Affordable Skincare Product—I Just Put It to the Test

Nowadays, with what seems like a new skincare launch on our feeds every other day, cutting through the skincare noise—especially when it comes to active ingredients—can be difficult. When it comes to darker skin tones and actives, glycolic acid has no doubt been the crowning jewel of skin myths. Be it through fear of exacerbating hyperpigmentation, or even chemical burns—which, due to racial bias in dermatology, often aren't warned about on product packaging—finding an active-led solution that avoids these tripwires has become akin to a full-time job.

Enter, Pixi Glow Tonic. Not only does it promise to control oil levels, but this acid toner also helps to exfoliate dead surface cells with a 5% percent concentration of glycolic acid, whilst leaving it soothed with aloe vera. It's loved for its ability to kickstart a lit-from-within glow and help purify and balance the skin after a day of heavy makeup or post-exercise. 

How to Use Pixi Glow Tonic 

As this formula mirrors a toner both in its delivery and where it sits within a skincare routine, I applied Pixi Glow Tonic with a reusable cotton pad. I tend to find that reusable pads absorb a little more product than regular cotton wool pads, and as I was trying this for the first time, I wanted to make sure I didn’t overload my skin.

It feels refreshing and soothing on contact, which is a nice surprise considering that glycolic acid can sometimes sting at first. I found that two liberal drops was enough for my face, but due to the addition of aloe vera and ginseng extracts, I think you could definitely go in with a second swipe of product if you felt you needed it, without causing irritation.

My Skin Before Using Pixi Glow Tonic 

After saturating a cotton pad with the product, I wiped it over my face, neck and even down to my chest. Even though you can use it either morning or night, I preferred using it at night under thicker creams in order to avoid any drying. As I already have a few chemicals exfoliants in my skincare arsenal, I didn’t experience any reactions to the actives. However, you may experience a slight reaction the first few times you use the product if your skin isn’t used to chemical exfoliants. But with such a low amount of glycolic, it’s a fantastic place to start with active ingredients. 

My Skin After Using Pixi Glow Tonic 

I wouldn’t call this an instant glow-giver, and although my skin looked slightly brighter post-use, ultimately, this is a product you need to use over a longer period of time in order to see the best results. When used as an addition to my existing skin routine though, I do believe the product left me with noticeably clearer skin. I struggle with uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation around my mouth, so I was pleasantly surprised to see that despite my concerns that glycolic acid may exacerbate discolouration on melanated skin, the formula instead helped to lift scarring and improve dullness. I also began using it on other dull areas like my knees and elbows, so I'm interested to see how the product fairs on the body too.

Final Thoughts

Wearing makeup after using Pixi Glow Tonic on my skin.

It's safe to say that I understand why Pixi Glow Tonic has a cult of followers behind it. It’s gentle yet effective enough to deliver visible results without irritating the skin, but I’d recommend introducing it gradually if you’re new to glycolic acid. Whether you need it as a quick cleaner-upper or to balance oily skin and promote healthy cell turnover (like me), you might easily come to rely on it. Plus, it’s pretty affordable at £18 for 250ml, making it even easier to include in your regular rotation.

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Next Up: The 25 Drugstore Skincare Items Dermatologists Would Buy Over and Over Again