I am done with PIXI GLOW TONIC

product
Pixi Glow Tonic 5% Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Toner
https://pixibeauty.co.uk/products/glow-tonic-100ml?variant=34997453834

product description
from the website: Exfoliating, alcohol-free toner for smoother, brighter, and clearer skin.

who's it for
all skin types

price
PHP1079 or $21 (100 ml) at Sephora PH https://www.sephora.ph/products/pixi-glow-tonic/v/100-ml-travel-size 
This isn't available locally in the Philippines
For international, you may check it here https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/pixi-glow-tonic.html 
Please take note that this comes in different sizes

packaging
plastic bottle with screw cap

directions
from the website: 
Use: Either in the AM and PM or when needed
• Step 1: Cleanse your face
• Step 2: Saturate a cotton pad with the Glow Tonic and sweep across face, neck and décolletage (avoiding the eye area)
• Step 3: Follow with the a serum or moisturizer

my skin/hair type

acne-prone; combination; reactive/sensitive skin

notes

This has been raved by many including my favorite skincare guru, Caroline Hirons. She said that this is the dupe of Biologique Recherche P50 which I've been dying to get for ages. Since I have this type of skin, I wanted to use gentle products that will definitely do the job. I started using an acid toner since I discovered SK-II clear lotion. When I learned that it is so much better to use than the abrasive and gritty exfoliators, I never turned back.

Caroline Hirons said that if you are just getting started on acid toners and glycolic acid, Pixi glow tonic is the way to go. Pixi claimed that this is a gentle toner and Caroline backed it up. But I think she also mentioned somewhere that not all people can use glycolic. So what happened? 

This acid toner has fragrance. I can't describe it. I smell the acid though at first, I thought it was alcohol (this is alcohol-free). It smells like a dermatologist's clinic to me too. Like the scent of flowers but with chemicals? I'm sorry, I really can't explain it but this has a strong fragrance. For me, the scent is bearable.

You know, I really wanted to like this product. I had high hopes. I thought this will do wonders on my skin. I was happy to find a cheaper acid toner that performs like the P50. But my skin hated this. Really HATED this and my skin immediately had issues. I used it for a total of 10 days. For the first 3 days, I got cystic acne all over my face. I thought it was purging and the concerned citizens backed me up on this (I refer to the people on groups I joined on FB as concerned citizens. Out of desperation, I asked how their skin reacted to this). So I let my face rest for a few days and started using it again. But it only did more harm on my skin. 

Here are the pictures:

neck area

If only you can see how worse it is because it doesn't translate on camera. They actually hurt.

One more thing I noticed, my t-zone was oilier than usual. There was no glow either. I poured a generous amount of this on a cotton round and wipe it on my face and neck every night for 10 days. It stung my nose area too, the sides of the nose to be exact.

I don't know if it's the formula that didn't suit me. Maybe it's the glycolic or maybe the fragrance? I heard that this has too many witch hazel so maybe that created problem on my skin? Maybe the fragrance? I don't know. I just need to stop. I WILL STICK TO SK-II CLEAR LOTION. At least for now.

If you want to see my review of the SK-II Clear Lotion, here it is https://brushstrokesandlullabies.blogspot.com/2017/09/the-great-sk-ii-facial-treatment-clear.html

will I use this product again?

NO. As mentioned earlier, I will just stick to sk-ii for now.

will I recommend this product?

maybe to some

will I repurchase this product?

Sadly, no.