Well if one brand has owned the word ‘tonic’ in the last however-many-years in the skincare world/beauty blogosphere it’s Pixi.
Glow Tonic – one of the original glycolic ‘toners’, has recently been joined by Rose Tonic – and easily my most-asked-about product in recent weeks: Retinol Tonic.
I thought a brief overview of how/why/when to use might prove helpful because as I said, I’ve been inundated with questions about the trio.
As it’s impossible to fix an excel spreadsheet (for me) onto here – more’s the pity – I DO love me some excel – I’ll list them individually:
Glow Tonic
The original Pixi Tonic – 5% glycolic acid in a non-alcohol base, this is now one of the best selling ‘acids’ on the market, and probably the best selling acid in its price range.
Glycolic loosens the bonds between dead skin cells and makes exfoliation easier.
You need this if:
You want help to keep your skin smooth, your skin has a tendency to be dry or dull or you are slightly older. (That doesn’t mean it isn’t suited to younger skins, I’m merely highlighting the benefit to an older face.)
Glycolic acid can be helpful in working to reduce pigmentation, and in the case of Glow Tonic is great as either your starter glycolic or a daily mild acid. It comes in a stronger version in the form of the Glow Peel Pads, which are 20% glycolic and designed for the more hardcore users amongst you, or as a more intensive peel for use sporadically.
Inci:
Water/Aqua/Eau, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycolic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Leaf Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut) Seed Extract, Hexylene Glycol, Fructose, Glucose, Sucrose, Urea, Dextrin, Alanine, Glutamic Acid, Aspartic Acid, Hexyl Nicotinate, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Biotin, Panthenol, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance (Parfum), Caramel, Red 4 (CI 14700)
Rose Tonic
is your traditional ‘toner’, although in this case I would consider it more akin to a hydrosol/light essence. It’s alcohol-free, contains glycerin and aloe to soothe and isn’t sticky like some essences can be.
You need this if:
You want to soothe your skin, or your skin is annoyed or dehydrated (most of us). Suitable for all ages, all skins.
Rose Tonic is good for calming redness and can be used twice daily, or as and when you like.
Inci:
Water/Aqua/Eau, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium PCA, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Triethyl Citrate, Rose Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Rosa Canina Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sambucus Nigra Flower (Elder Flower) Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Betaine, Sodium Citrate, Montmorillonite, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
And finally, Retinol Tonic.
New to the family, this is an encapsulated retinol using time release technology to work gently throughout the night while you sleep. Retinol/vitamin A is the gold standard of skin repair and collagen stimulation.
You need this if:
You want to start on retinols but have the fear. You love retinols but just want a mild version for daily use. You’re younger and don’t need to go hardcore at this stage. You’ve been ‘hardcore’ and it wasn’t for you. You regularly use vitamin A products and want to keep it going with something milder in between. You have sensitive skin. This is your perfect place to start. Suited to all skins, including sensitive.
Inci:
Aqua/Water/Eau, Rosemarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Methyl Gluceth-20, PEG-8, Panthenol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Flower Extract, Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis Flower Extract, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-27, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Retinol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Flower/Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus (Clove) Flower Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Fruit Extract, Sodium Citrate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Polysorbate 20, Ethylhexylglycerin
All three Tonics can be used in conjunction with each other or on their own, happily.
To use together:
Glow Tonic + Rose Tonic – either am or pm, apply Glow Tonic first and follow with Rose.
Retinol Tonic + Rose Tonic – pm (and not after Glow Tonic) as above
Don’t use Glow with Retinol. It’s pointless. Save your money and your product. They work better on their own.
All three Tonics are £18.00 for 250ml and £10.00 for 100ml and available from Pixibeauty.co.uk.
Upcoming Events:
Amanda and I are hitting the road for three events in September – details are below – we hope to see as many of you as possible..!
Manchester – Friday 31st August
Marks & Spencer
7 Market St, Manchester, M1 1WT
Overall Event Time: 11am -8pm
Session 1: 12-2pm
12-12:30 Q&A
12:30–2pm Meet & Greet
Session 2: 6-8pm
6-6:30pm – Q&A
6:30–8pm: Meet & Greet
Liverpool – Saturday 1st September
Marks & Spencer
35 Church St, Liverpool, L1 1DF
Overall Event Time: 11-6pm
Session 1: 12-2pm
12–12:30 Q&A
12:30–2pm: Meet & Greet
Session 2: 3-5pm
3-3:30pm Q&A
3:30–5pm: Meet & Greet
Newcastle – 22nd September
Session times are still to be confirmed, but we are coming!
Tickets are not necessary. Just rock up. AND: we’re doing a GWP!!
Spend £50 and receive a signed Double Cleanse, whilst stocks last – first come,first served: 50 allocated per store.
See you soon!
*This post is not sponsored although I am obviously working with Pixi as part of my Double Cleanse agreement. I am not paid for the events, and do not use affiliate links on the links.
