It seems, “Double Toning” is all the raaaage lately. It just means using two toners, an exfoliating toner and a hydrating one. I’ve been doing this for more than a couple of years now, not knowing of this term until a while ago. Or maybe it has been there for a long time, I’m just the one who doesn’t read enough :p
So when famous names in the beauty world started to rave about this particular step, I was like patting myself on the back. I’m on the right track here.
It just sort of comes natural to me, to put a hydrating toner on top of exfoliating toner, which is usually more acidic and tends to be drier on the skin. Just to keep things balanced. It’s logical.
My first (accidental) encounter with exfoliating toner is none other than First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads and I still use it to this date. Second one, which apparently is also an exfoliating toner, is the Blemish Patrol Pads from the same brand. I can’t say enough about these two workhorse wonders. There are also a few others that I’ve tried.
Set that aside, I’m adding the cult-favorite PIXI Glow Tonic to join my arsenal.
What it is (taken from the web):
Oxygenating. Exfoliating facial glow tonic. It helps tone, firm and tighten the skin. It removes dead skin cells for healthier looking skin. For all skin types. Alcohol free.
Pretty simple, eh?
It actually is. No bollocks and over-elaborated jargon. Just good old exfoliating toner.
It has 5% Glycolic Acid (a part of AHA family) and it’s wonderful at sloughing off dead skin cells to reveal brighter, smoother new skin. It can also help to clear pores and blackheads, even some acne. For more insights on this ingredient, use Google. It’s your best friend.
It stings the first time I used it. It was like a jolt of.. sizzling, tingling sensation. I haven’t experienced that in a while so this is good, in a way. I didn’t feel the sting anymore until 2-3 times later, except when my face is a little sensitive or the skin’s a little thin or there’s an invisible open wound. It has a scent, one that I would associate with soaps. It’s nice and clean.
The next morning, I woke up with visible clearer skin. Bright and radiant. WHOA. I know it’s the working of PIXI Glow Tonic. Now, this is a good sign but it is also a warning for me. If I learn anything from this whole exfoliation game with acid, is to not overdo it. By any means, I never get it done professionally, but it’s a logical (and wise) restrain on my part.
But, curiosity got the best of me. I made myself a bunny and used this straight for three nights. And that was my final limit. Despite the wholesome ooh-aah results, PIXI Glow Tonic is drying on my combination skin. If any, it’s the most drying out of everything I’ve tried so far.
After the third night, I can feel that my skin feels a little too tight for my liking and I can see a bit of dry patches forming on the drier area. It’s itching for a quench of hydration. This is another good news, means I have the work cut out for me. Saves me the time and energy. I can just jump in and select hydrating and moisturizing products to go along with it.
My amount per usage, about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter, soaked back-to-back.
I only use this at night time, alternating 2-3 times a week. I never use it in the morning because my skin is sensitive and the sun is never kind to me (except for photography purposes *HA*). I don’t feel comfortable unveiling a fresh new skin in daylight directly to the sun, even if I’m wearing SPF on top of it. The skin is more fragile after the toner. Just let PIXI Glow Tonic do its thing at night, me thinks.
That being said, SPF is non-negotiable for daytime. One should not forget this *points to self*
As pictured above, that’s how much I use each time. I don’t need a lot really. I just need enough to cover the whole face, neck and décolletage. I do several run-overs on areas where my past sins lie (a.k.a. the acne spots), even place the cotton pad on those areas for a few minutes as well. I also like to add a bit more and sweep over the back and elbows, because why not.
I let the skin absorb and enjoy PIXI Glow Tonic for about 10 minutes before moving on. For the hydrating toners, I love using either Menard Lisciare Lotion (extra moist), SK-II Cellumination Mask-in Lotion, and my recent favorite, Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist. I love spritzing it 5-6 times (sometimes 10 if needed), inhale the calming rose fragrance, pat and press it into the skin.
Depending on how my skin is that night, I might layer another hydrating product(s) afterwards. Well, I most likely do because hydration is important to me. I rarely use another AHA-based serum on top though, unless I need a quick boost or I’m on an intensive treatment. And I do it carefully with serious measurements and considerations.
Overall, PIXI Glow Tonic delivers its promises, no doubt! This is a quick way to have a positively more radiant skin in the morning. It’s priced moderately at £18.00 (although I paid quite a bit more) contains 250 ml of that honey-orange shade liquid and will last me for a while.
If you have to ask, I still prefer FAB Facial Radiance Pads over this, mainly because it’s not as drying when used consecutively. It also has Lactic Acid for an added benefit and it’s also a milder AHA so maybe that’s why it’s better on my skin. Plus, First Aid Beauty products are catered towards sensitive skin anyway.
But, I will reach for PIXI Glow Tonic whenever my skin needs a fast lane.
I’m definitely picking this up next time I’m at Target! Great review 🙂
Nice! Let me know what you think of it! Thank you for reading 😘
Hallo, aku udah sebulan ini pake pixi glow tonic. Memang bikin kulit glowing dan teksturnya membaik, however i always top it of with hydrating toner dari Hada Labo.
Dan memang kalau akan beraktivitas dibawah matahari jangaaaaan sekali2 pake pixi pagi2, it made my skin red and tight.
I also use it to exfoliate my lips, hands and toes hehehe it does wonder too, seriously u need tk try it.
I do sometimes run it over my lips too, I don’t do it often as it’s drying. I try to keep the limit to my back and elbows, otherwise I might run out of it too soon 😆
Hello,
I just wanna ask if your brand new pixie glow tonic ever has a seal, I mean unopened seal? Just bought mine from UK online shop and found out it has no seal and the liquid is not full either. So I wondered if the original is neither full nor has any seal.
Thank you and nice day 😡
Jane
Pic attached
https://www.flickr.com/x/t/0093009/photos/89839344@N06/20636839101/
Hi there,
I couldn’t remember if there’s any seal or not (sorry!) but I’m sure that mine was fuller than yours when I got it.
PIXI posted a photo of multiple Glow Tonic few days ago and you can see it for yourself: https://instagram.com/p/6S1t8GRMk_/
Perhaps you can send an email to the online shop and address this issue 🙂
hai tika, aku mau minta saran ajaa, kulit wajahku tb2 bruntusan gt ga gitu keliatan tp kl kena sinar matahari keliatan banget.. kira2 pake apa ya yg cocok? thanks
Hi, sorry aku gak bisa bantu banyak karena aku gak tau regime kamu seperti apa dan jenis kulitmu.
Coba ditelusuri dulu aja penyebabnya. Could be from any new product in the regime or a change in your lifestyle (food, stress, etc). Then you can start figuring out what to do.
Kak mau tanya untuk mlm hri setelah pemakaian cleansing kmd pixi ini dan hydrating toner setelah itu bisa nggak memakai essence dan crm malam.terima kasih
Tetap harus lanjut dong. Skincare routine kan bukan cuma sampai toner hehe.
Hi! Mau nanya saran nih, aku belum pernah pakai toner sebelumnya dan tertarik untuk pakai toner ini. Tapi untuk kulitku sendiri berminyak mostly di area T.
Baiknya sebagai first timer dengan kondisi oily dan sometimes muncul jerawat baiknya pakai toner apa ya?
Thanks a lot!
Hi Elisa,
Kalau tertarik pakai PIXI Glow Tonic sebenarnya gak masalah kok, tapi kusarankan pakai hydrating toner afterwards. In general double toning (beside double cleansing) is a great way to maintain a clearer complexion.
Untuk kulit yang oily dan acne prone, bisa coba toner (or other skincare) dengan kandungan BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid). Dan tetap jangan lupa pakai sunscreen setiap hari.
I’d suggest you to read into AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) and BHA, to know how they can benefit the skin and learn the difference between them.
Hope that helps 🙂
Hi Kae,
Thank you reply nya, sudah ada sedikit pencerahan untuk toner 🙂
Untuk toner pertama apakah ada brand yang bisa direkomendasi? Thank you so much!
Hai ce..senang baca blogmu…😊😊
Aku tipe oily banget dan ada scar jerawat ce,
Bisa recommended aku toner dll ce??
Aku sdh pakai SK II, EMK, Vivence ( brand Canada)
Semua gak Ada hasilnya ce…
Aku msh kdg2 naik jerawat…dan ada beberapa yang bekasnya hitam gak mau hilang…
Makasih ya ce….😊😊😊
Hi,
Thank you for reading my blog.
Please keep in mind that I am not a dermatologist or an expert. I share reviews based on my own experiences using products on my own skin.
Saranku, banyak research dan baca sebelum membeli sebuah produk. Basic skincare juga harus udah kuat seperti double cleansing dan exfoliate regularly. Untuk jerawat, coba cari produk yang ada kandungan BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid). The post-acne spots can fade with brightening skincare products and/or exfoliate with AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid). I’ve also written a few product reviews in the blog that has helped me when I have blemishes/acne.
Semua butuh proses ya, don’t expect anything instant. You know your skin best (I sure am don’t) so it’s only proper that you’re the one who’s responsible to take good care of it.
Hope that helps 🙂
kak kulit aku jerawatn & banyak bekas jerawatnya.. Bagusnya pake pixi glow tonic atau paula choice 2% bha lotion?
Hi,
Klo jerawat bisa dibantu dengan BHA, bekasnya dengan AHA.
Selalu dapet ilmu baru kalau baca post kakak! Thank you! Pixi Glow Tonic masuk wishlist ku jadinya hehe..
Thank you for the kind words! 😊