I used to be so excited when I discovered a dupe for Pixi Glow. Bravura Revitalising Ginseng Toner with 5% Glycolic Acid was just about the identical factor, solely cheaper. Then, they ruined it: the value went up, the dimensions went down… Ultimately, Pixi Glow turned out the right way to be the cheaper choice! Then, The Unusual got here alongside. Their Glycolic Acid 7% Firming Resolution seems to be like the right candidate to knock Pixi Glow off its throne and acquire the crown for greatest exfoliating toner on the market. Let the battle start… and one of the best toner win:

What Substances Do Pixi Glow And The Unusual Glycolic Acid 7% Firming Resolution Have In Frequent?

GLYCOLIC ACID TO EXFOLIATE SKIN

Glycolic acid is essentially the most well-known member of the Alpha Hydroxy Acid household, a bunch of exfoliants derived from fruits and sugar cane (Glycolic Acid is derived from sugar cane). Glycolic acid is my fave AHA, too, as a result of it’s a multitasker:

Superior, proper? There are two catches:

1. Irritation: Every thing that removes lifeless pores and skin cells can irritate pores and skin. The decrease the dose of GA, the decrease the possibility of irritation (and its effectiveness).
2. PH: A excessive ph neutralises GA, making it ineffective.

Pixi Glow has 5% Glycolic Acid at a ph of 4.1. That is pretty excessive. Roughly 1.8% of Glycolic Acid survives to exfoliates your pores and skin. The Unusual has a 7% Glycolic Acid at a ph of three.5-3.7. That is far more pleasant to Glycolic Acid. Roughly 4.4% survives unscathed. The underside line? The Unusual is more practical but in addition extra irritating.

P.S. At this dose, we’re speaking irritating for delicate pores and skin. Most individuals will be capable of use these toners with out issues.

Associated: The Full Information To Glycolic Acid: What It Is, What It Does, And How To Use It

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ALOE VERA TO SOOTHE SKIN

Do you know that aloe is 99.5% made from water? The goodies that make it so soothing and moisturizing are within the remaining 0.5%! A few of these goodies are referred to as polysaccharides and so they’re extra ample in aloe vera juice than aloe vera water. Why this issues? As a result of Pixi is utilizing a dollop of the juice and The Unusual just a few drops of the water. That makes the Pixi toner just a little bit extra hydrating.

Associated: Can Aloe Vera Deal with Sunburns And Stretch Marks?

HEXYL NICOTINATE

Hexyl Nicotinate is a vasodilator that “causes the blood vessels close to to the floor of the pores and skin to extend in diameter and to extend their blood move.” It doesn’t actually do a lot for the pores and skin however I needed to point out it as a result of it might be irritating if in case you have tremendous delicate pores and skin.

​Should you’re feeling fully intimidated and overwhelmed by The Unusual skincare I like to recommend taking Extraordinary Pores and skin With The Unusual. A The Unusual pace coaching created by my scientist good friend Cheryl Woodman. Cheryl’s helped a whole bunch of girls see real-life outcomes, first hand. Click on right here to search out out extra in regards to the course and see their critiques. (affiliate hyperlink)

What Else Is In These Exfoliating Toners?

PIXI GLOW

• Aqua: The primary solvent within the product, it helps to dissolve different substances.
• Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Leaf Extract: A controversial ingredient. On the one hand, it has highly effective astringent, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. However relying on the way it’s made and the a part of the plant used, it might additionally comprise irritants, like alcohol.
• Aesculus Hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut) Seed Extract: It has anti-inflammatory properties that scale back redness and irritation.
• Ammonium Glycolate: It helps to simply the pH of skincare merchandise.
• Glycerin: A humectant that pulls water from the air into your pores and skin to extend pores and skin’s moisture degree and hold pores and skin softer and smoother for longer.
• Glucose: A pure sugar that binds water to the pores and skin, growing its hydration ranges.
• Fructose: It has water-binding properties that hydrate pores and skin.
• Sucrose: One other kind of sugar with water-binding properties that hydrate pores and skin.
• Urea: A humectant that’s a part of your pores and skin’s protecting barrier, it attracts and binds a truckload of moisture to your pores and skin to maintain it softer and plumper for hours. It’s so hydrating, it really works greatest for tremendous dry, tremendous dehydrated pores and skin.
• Dextrin: It helps thicken the feel of skincare merchandise.
• Alanine: An amino acid that helps pores and skin retain moisture.
• Glutamic Acid: One other amino acid with hydrating properties.
• Panax Ginseng Root Extract: A key ingredient in Korean skincare, it has highly effective antioxidant and anti inflammatory properties.
• Phenoxyethanol: A preservative that inhibits the expansion of micro organism in skincare merchandise, serving to them last more.
• Sodium Benzoate: One other preservative that helps skincare merchandise last more.
• Biotin: Often known as Vitamin H, it has no identified skincare advantages. That’s the one motive it’s getting a pink ranking.
• Polysorbate 20: An emulsifier that helps water-based and water-based substances mix collectively.
• Perfume: Essentially the most irritating ingredient utilized in skincare, it makes the toner scent good.

THE ORDINARY GLYCOLIC ACID 7% TONING SOLUTION

• Aqua (Water): The primary solvent within the product, it helps to dissolve different substances.
• Rosa damascena flower water: It has hydrating and antioxidant properties. It has additionally aromatic parts which will irritate delicate pores and skin, however in a a lot decrease dose than the important oil model. So the possibilities of irritations are decrease. That’s why it will get a yellow as a substitute of a pink ranking.
• Centaurea cyanus flower water: Derived from cornflower, it has soothing and antioxidant properties.
• Propanediol: An alcohol that enhances the penetration of energetic substances.
• Glycerin: A humectant that pulls water from the air into your pores and skin to extend pores and skin’s moisture degree and hold pores and skin softer and smoother for longer.
• Triethanolamine: It helps to regulate the pH of skincare merchandise.
• Aminomethyl Propanol: One other pH adjuster.
• Panax Ginseng Root Extract: A key ingredient in Korean skincare, it has highly effective antioxidant and anti inflammatory properties.
• Tasmania Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract: This pure extract has highly effective antioxidant and soothing properties.
• Aspartic Acid: An amino acid that helps to assuage and hydrate pores and skin.
• Alanine: An amino acid that helps pores and skin retain moisture.
• Glycine: An amino acid that hydrates pores and skin and hastens the therapeutic course of.
• Serine: An amino acid that helps pores and skin retain moisture, so it seems to be softer and smoother.
• Valine: It improves your pores and skin’s pure moisturising issue and helps soothe pores and skin.
• Isoleucine: It binds moisture to the pores and skin, retaining it hydrated for longer.
• Proline: It helps pores and skin preserve moisture and look youthful.
• Threonine: An amino acid that hydrates pores and skin, giving it a softer appear and feel.
• Histidine: An amino acid polypeptide with antioxidant and soothing properties.
• Phenylalanine: One other hydrating amino acid.
• Glutamic Acid: One other hydrating amino acid.
• Arginine: One other amino acids with hydrating properties.
• PCA: A humectant derived from amino acids that makes pores and skin softer and smoother.
• Sodium PCA: It attracts and binds moisture to your pores and skin, serving to it to remain hydrated for longer.
• Sodium Lactate: It hydrates pores and skin and helps modify the cleanser’s pH besides.
• Fructose: It has water-binding properties that hydrate pores and skin.
• Glucose: A pure sugar that binds water to the pores and skin, growing its hydration ranges.
• Sucrose: One other kind of sugar with water-binding properties that hydrate pores and skin.
• Urea: A humectant that’s a part of your pores and skin’s protecting barrier, it attracts and binds a truckload of moisture to your pores and skin to maintain it softer and plumper for hours. It’s so hydrating, it really works greatest for tremendous dry, tremendous dehydrated pores and skin.
• Dextrin: It helps to thicken the feel of skincare merchandise.
• Citric Acid: It helps to regulate the pH of skincare merchandise.
• Polysorbate 20: An emulsifier that helps water-based and water-based substances mix collectively.
• Gellan Gum: It helps to reinforce the feel of skincare merchandise and retains them steady for longer.
• Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate: A chelating agent that neutralises the steel ions within the water that might in any other case spoil the system.
• Sodium Chloride: A.okay.a. desk salt, it thickens the feel of skincare merchandise.
• Hexylene Glycol: It helps skincare merchandise unfold simply onto your pores and skin.
• Potassium Sorbate: A preservative that helps skincare merchandise last more.
• Sodium Benzoate: One other preservative that helps skincare merchandise last more.
• 1,2-Hexanediol: An artificial preservative with hydrating properties.
• Caprylyl Glycol: A pores and skin conditioning agent with gentle preservative properties.

WHICH FORMULA IS BETTER?

Associated: Why You Ought to Add Amino Acids To Your Skincare Routine

What Is The Texture Like?

What’s The Packaging Like?

How To Use Them

It doesn’t matter in the event that they’re referred to as toners. Something with Glycolic Acid is an exfoliant, so use it as such. Two or three nights per week, after cleaning. Don’t use on the identical night time as retinoids or different harsh actives, like retinol.

Which One Of The Two Ought to You Go For?

The Unusual Glycolic Acid 7% Firming Resolution. It’s fingers down the simplest of the 2. But when your pores and skin is severely dry and desires one thing gentler and extra hydrating, Pixi Glow is the best way to go.

Availability

Pixi Glow (£18.00): Accessible at Boots, Cult Magnificence, Look Implausible, and Sephora

The Unusual Glycolic Acid 7% Firming Resolution (£11.50): Accessible at Magnificence Bay, Boots, Cult Magnificence, Look Implausible, Sephora, SpaceNK, The Unusual, and Ulta.

Is The Unusual Glycolic Acid 7% Firming Resolution A Dupe For Pixi Glow?

Sure, sure, sure! The Unusual Glycolic Acid 7% Firming Resolution is a dupe for Pixi Glow. A more practical one, too! Make the swap.

About Gio

Hello, I am Gio. I am a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is pores and skin coach and author on a mission that can assist you obtain your greatest pores and skin day ever – on daily basis. I bust skincare myths and debunk advertising jargon that can assist you determine what’s definitely worth the splurge and what’s greatest left on the shelf – utilizing science, not hype. I additionally provide skincare consultations that can assist you create one of the best skincare routine to your distinctive wants.