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The Beauty Wonk

July 10, 2019

Pixi Glow Tonic vs The Ordinary Glycolic Acid – Which Is Better?

Often times I get this question from a lot of people on Instagram, Which is better: Pixi Glow Tonic or The Ordinary Glycolic Acid? Which one should I buy? Which is effective? What would suit me?

I started my acid journey with The Ordinary but a few months ago, Pixi sent me a few of their skincare products including their highly-raved Glow Tonic! So I thought this would be my chance to put the Pixi Glow Tonic vs The Ordinary Glycolic Acid debate to rest.

I have been using Pixi thrice a week ever since I received it and love the experience but if you’ve been a long-time reader, you’d know how obsessed I am with The Ordinary. Grab a cup of coffee and read this detailed post where I compare the two much-raved products.


Disclosure: Contains affiliate links. I receive a small commission for purchases made via them.


What does glycolic acid even do?

Before I jump on to the comparison between the two most famous glycolic acid toners available, let me first tell you about the benefits of introducing glycolic acid in your skincare routine.

Glycolic acid is an AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) that gently exfoliates your skin by taking off the dead skin cells on the skin’s surface and reveal new, fresh skin.

If you’re someone who’s struggling with whiteheads, uneven skin tone, texture and enlarged pores, glycolic acid is exactly what you need. And that’s not all!

For those struggling with bumps all over their body or ingrown hair due to shaving/ waxing, glycolic acid is your saviour! And both these products that I’m about to compare solve these problems.

However, if you’re an oily skin type who’s looking for something to help with acne and blackheads, you should try The Ordinary Salicylic Acid. I love to use that as an exfoliator as well as a spot treatment and guys, it works!

Packaging of the ordinary glycolic acid toning solution
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid & Its Packaging

Price: Pixi is USD 15 for 100ml, USD 29 for 250ml & The Ordinary is USD 12.50 for 240ml.

Availability: You can buy The Ordinary Glycolic Acid from ULTA, Sephora, or the brand’s site.

You can shop Pixi Glow Tonic from ULTA or Look Fantastic (US&Canada)

Whose Packaging is Better?

Pixi Glow Tonic comes in a plastic bottle with a screw cap and is available in 3 different sizes – 15ml, 100ml and 250ml.

While The Ordinary Glycolic Acid comes in a plastic bottle with a metal screw cap which is to be replaced by a nozzle cap (pretty similar to a ketchup bottle) but is only available in 1 size – 240ml.

Pixi does have a huge 500ml bottle that comes with a pump but I’ve seen that in their PR packages and they put in on sale on their website a very few times.

Pixi Glow Tonic Packaging
Pixi Glow Tonic Packaging

The packaging of The Ordinary makes it easier to use but since Pixi offers different sizes, we can try out with a smaller bottle to see how it works for us. Both of these products take forever to finish up!

Smell

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Toner doesn’t have a pleasant smell, it’s slightly chemical-like and is a subtle reminder of my Chemistry lab. Why? Because it doesn’t have added fragrance.

Fragrance is added in cosmetics to hide the smell of raw ingredients and it gives the products a luxurious feel. But it can also irritate and sensitise your skin and it is usually advised to stay away from them.

The Pixi Glow Tonic smells really nice and the credit goes to the presence of (as you might have guessed it) ‘fragrance’. However, I have not heard of anyone that had a bad experience with the Glow Tonic.

Ingredients of Pixi Glow Tonic
Spot ‘Fragrance’!

Texture

They’re both watery in texture. The Ordinary is pale yellow in colour while Pixi Glow Tonic is light orange. On applying, Pixi gets completely absorbed into the skin without giving any sticky or tacky feel but The Ordinary Glycolic Acid feels a little tacky on my oily skin.

Ingredients

The main difference between both the products is the difference in concentration of Glycolic Acid, their hero ingredient.

Pixi Glow Tonic has 5% of it while The Ordinary has 7% Glycolic Acid which makes it slightly more effective but might also feel a little too harsh especially if you’re just starting out with an acid routine and/or have sensitive skin.

How to use GLYCOLIC ACID TONERS?

Using either of these 3-4 times a week is more than enough. Cleanse your face and apply a few drops of either of the two toners, wait for it to get absorbed and move on with the rest of the products in your routine.

You can drench a cotton pad to apply it all over your face or switch to the good old hands. I prefer to take 2-4 drops in my palm and pat it on my face, this saves you some product as well as cotton.

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Toner
How to use it?

Note: If you’re someone who’s not very experienced with acids, it’s the best to avoid using Salicylic acid, Lactic acid, Azelaic acid, Retinol & Vitamin C in the same routine as Glycolic Acid.

If you feel like these acids sting a little too much then apply a layer or two of a hydrating toner before the exfoliating toner, this tip is a life-saver!

Experience of using Pixi Glow Tonic & The Ordinary Glycolic Acid

Now that I’ve compared the high points of both these products with some technical beauty jargons, it all comes down to how does it feel to use these products.

Do they sting? Are they comfortable on your skin? The product’s efficacy is important but what’s the point if you’re not able to even use them!

As mentioned earlier, I love that Pixi Glow Tonic doesn’t leave a sticky feel after application while The Ordinary does, so if you have oily skin like me and live in a humid place, this might be an important factor for you. But since you only have to use it at night, you might bear the tackiness.

Pixi Glow Tonic Review
Pixi Glow Tonic

Secondly, 7% glycolic acid is no joke especially if you have sensitive skin. I started my acid journey with The Ordinary Glycolic Acid and the first week, it stung badly for the first few minutes.

Buy The Products!

My skin did build tolerance overtime but with Pixi, the stinging is very low, close to negligible. In short, the experience of using Pixi Glow Tonic is pleasant. Lastly, I have noticed slightly better & quicker results with The Ordinary Glycolic acid due to the higher concentration and lower pH. 

(But please don’t assume you won’t get the same benefits from Pixi. It works too!) Both products have their pros & cons but what do I buy now, Rifat? You have confused me even more now! 

Well, I’m sorry for confusing you! But I wanted to bring out all the minute details of both the products since the question “Pixi or The Ordinary?” is the third most controversial one. (the first two being Jaclyn Hill’s lipsticks and James Charles vs Tati)

Which Is Better?

After reading all the points, if you’re not still able to make a decision then here’s a little tip from me.

  • If you don’t have a sensitive skin type/ have already used acids before and need something stronger and effective, go for The Ordinary 7% Glycolic Acid Toner and use it as I’ve directed.
  • But if you have sensitive skin, start with Pixi. Take advantage of their various available sizes and buy the smallest one, even that would last you a good 1-2 months.

Once your skin has built a tolerance to acids, you can switch to The Ordinary. I think now all your doubts are cleared! If not, shoot your questions in the comment section below and I’ll answer them all.

Do you have oily, acne-prone skin? Are you struggling with curating a skincare routine with The Ordinary products? Then grab this FREE routine cheatsheet here:

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By: Rifat Yaseen · In: Skincare

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Comments

  1. Chanmeet says

    October 18, 2020 at 10:06 am

    Hey loved your detailed review……..i have a normal to dry(only T-zone) skin…..and i have not tried any acid so far….actually never followed any skin care routine…….since i am a beginner can you please suggest me a what should be my morning and evening basic skin care routine if i start with pixi glow tonic….thank you

    Reply
    • Rifat Yaseen says

      October 31, 2020 at 7:19 pm

      Hello! Give this post a read, you can switch the products and use other brands. In place of exfoliation step use your glow tonic.
      https://thebeautywonk.com/the-ordinary-skincare-routine-for-oily-acne-prone-skin/

      Reply
  2. Vartika Bansal says

    July 13, 2020 at 12:58 am

    Hey! I have some acne scarring and have recently started using nicinamine and zinc from ordinary can i use the pixi one just after washing my face and apply the nicinamine followed by a moisturizer.

    Reply
    • Rifat Yaseen says

      July 15, 2020 at 4:15 pm

      Yes that sounds good to me!

      Reply
  3. J says

    June 30, 2020 at 9:31 am

    Hi, can I mix niacinamide,alpha arbutin n glycolic acid from the ordinary all together at night?

    Reply
    • Rifat Yaseen says

      July 1, 2020 at 1:44 pm

      I wouldn’t say MIX but yes you can layer them in the same routine! The sequence would be glycolic acid first (but 2-3x/week only. I have a review on this where I’ve talked about how to use it) and you can either apply arbutin first or niacinamide, doesn’t make a difference.

      Reply
  4. Ella Park says

    June 30, 2020 at 5:34 am

    Hi, would you recommend The Ordinary Glycolic Acid for ingrown hair scarring? Like on the neck and chest? And as it suitable for my face, can I use it to get rid of uneven skin texture and hyperpigmentation?

    Reply
    • Rifat Yaseen says

      July 1, 2020 at 1:46 pm

      YES to all of that. How effectively it’ll work on your texture and hyperpigmentation depends on the rest of your routine and how severe the issue is. I use it on underarms, legs, etc for ingrown hair and as a scalp exfoliator too. It can be used on neck and chest as well.

      Reply
  5. Esi says

    June 21, 2020 at 4:29 am

    Hi, I have an oily but sensitive skin
    Please can I use a toner containing hydraulic acid and pixi glow tonic together at night

    Reply
    • Rifat Yaseen says

      June 22, 2020 at 2:33 pm

      Hi, I assume you meant hyaluronic acid? Then yes you can 🙂

      Reply
      • Esi says

        June 23, 2020 at 3:10 am

        Hi Yaseen, thank you for responding and sorry about the error in spelling.

        Reply
  6. BJ says

    June 16, 2020 at 7:26 am

    Hello,

    Loved your review and recommendation, thank you. However, I was wondering, my skin had been clear for months and then due to sun exposure in April, I got rashes/bumps on my forehead. It spread to my cheeks and i’m still battling with them. Some have turned into active spots, but my right cheek is so bumpy with little bumps that are the same size everywhere. I reckon it’s clogged pores. I can’t use salicylic acid because I’ve always broken out from it. I was hoping one of these toners would help with the clogged pores and hyperpigmentation. I have oily skin, it isn’t really sensitive to acids, as I use the Ordinary aha/bha peel and used to get chemical peels at the spa. However, it does have a tendency to react to new products. Would you recommend any of these toners and which one? Thank you so much! X

    Reply
    • Rifat Yaseen says

      June 22, 2020 at 2:43 pm

      Hello! I’d suggest you start with the ordinary glycolic acid toner but do it 2-3x a week at night only, no more than that. But also include something really hydrating and skin-soothing for your skin like the COSRX Snail Essence and use it daily both morning and night. It’d help repair your skin faster. It’s available on ULTA (USA) and Yesstyle (worldwide shipping and RIFAT10 affiliate code for some off). Hope this helps xx

      Reply
  7. Wendy says

    June 9, 2020 at 3:49 pm

    Hi. I have sensitive skin and abit pigment also have milia around my nose area. I was thinking of using the pixi glow. Never use any acid before. At the moment i am using Cleanser clean and soothing lotion Toner from la roche posay. I use NIOD Pigment only on the pigment area, then vitamin c and discolouration serum, eyes serum from skinceutical. Moistures from Perricone c Esther with spf 30. Night I use cleanser and toner From la roche posay. Calming serum and calming cream from Medik8. Sometime i use mist from la roche posay when my skin feel dry or red. I do have the Cosrx alcohol free toner which i have not try. Does the pixi glow help with milia?

    Reply
    • Rifat Yaseen says

      June 12, 2020 at 12:05 pm

      Hey, products with glycolic acid or salicylic acid do help with milia. I’d recommend you try Paula’s choice AHA or BHA as a spot treatment for it, not Pixi glow tonic because this one’s too gentle.

      Reply
  8. Jaanam says

    May 20, 2020 at 12:48 pm

    Hey, I’m 24 years old and I would like to start a skincare routine. I came across your comment on this -Morning: Facewash, moisturiser, vitamin c serum,sunscreen
    Night: Facewash, pixi glow tonic (alternate nights only), moisturiser
    This will help.

    What would you recommend me from The Ordinary? Also for facewash and mosturizer what products are good and reasonable?
    I would like to have a brighter and glowing looking skin for my face 🙂

    Reply
    • Rifat Yaseen says

      May 29, 2020 at 8:53 pm

      Hey, switch the pixi glow tonic with the ordinary. You’ll get more tips on facewash and moisturizer in this post of mine: https://thebeautywonk.com/the-ordinary-skincare-routine-for-oily-acne-prone-skin/
      I’ve listed all the cleansers here and how to basically form a routine!

      Reply
  9. Ruth Elueche says

    May 19, 2020 at 2:00 am

    Very rich and detailed article. Please can you help me with my am and pm routine
    I have clear proof salicylic acid toner, Oxy 5 spot on cream, pixi glow 250ml, dr rashel hyaluronic acid serum, dr rashel vitamin c serum, retin A cream and even tru moisturizer and topicrem sunscreen. How do I make an am and pm routine out of them. Thanks

    Reply
    • Rifat Yaseen says

      May 29, 2020 at 8:49 pm

      Hello! Use retinA 2x a week at night, Vitamin C everyday in the morning and glow tonic 3x a week at night but not on the same time as retinol. It’s better if you either use glow tonic or the salicylic acid toner instead of both. When one of them is over, you can start with the other. Rest serum and moisturiser use as we normally do and sunscreen at night. Hope this helps! You can subscribe to my newsletter to stay updated with skincare tips 🙂

      Reply
  10. Sheuli Sanyasi says

    May 15, 2020 at 5:48 pm

    Lovely review. I was looking for more information on acids for skin as i am just a beginner.
    Can i do a skincare routine of pixi glow-> the ordinary hyaluronic acid serum -> laniege water sleeping mask?

    I am currently using the sleeping mask.

    Reply
    • Rifat Yaseen says

      May 17, 2020 at 1:17 am

      Yes it looks perfect to me. Use pixi on alternate nights as opposed to daily! xx

      Reply
  11. Curious says

    May 4, 2020 at 9:09 am

    Can you use the pixi glycolic toner and loreal glycolic acid serum in the same routine?

    Reply
    • Rifat Yaseen says

      May 6, 2020 at 2:08 am

      No I wouldn’t! Use either of the two to avoid any irritation.

      Reply
  12. ummi says

    May 1, 2020 at 1:20 pm

    hello! i currently suffer from oily skin and im gonna try out pixi since im not use to acid things and umm can i apply niacinamide afterward?

    Reply
    • Rifat Yaseen says

      May 3, 2020 at 7:37 am

      Yes, you can do niacinamide after the glow tonic is absorbed into the skin.

      Reply
  13. Belinda says

    April 12, 2020 at 2:53 am

    Hi really like your review but I have tried the ordinary peeling solution but I want to try glycolic acid but can I start with the ordinary if you suggest it and can I use it in the morning plus the vitamin c in the same morning routine ??? And I also have small bumps which looks invincible which moisturizer do you recommend.

    Reply
    • Rifat Yaseen says

      April 13, 2020 at 3:08 pm

      Vitamin C in the morning and I’ll keep glycolic acid at nights…alternate nights to be precise. Moisturiser depends on your skin type, are you dry or oily? COSRX snail cream works for everyone!

      Reply
  14. Graci says

    February 28, 2020 at 3:49 pm

    I have acne scarring do you recommend ordinary or pixie but I’m super oily as well and breakouts…..

    Reply
    • Rifat Yaseen says

      March 14, 2020 at 12:25 am

      Pixi! The Ordinary leaves a tacky finish so that might be an issue for you.

      Reply
  15. Dian says

    February 23, 2020 at 6:26 am

    Hi,
    This is so far the most detailed comparison I’ve found. Do you have any idea how is The Ordinary’s compared to higher brand of AHA exfoliant e.g Paula Choice’s? I tried a sample size of 10% AHA and felt satisfied with no stinging feels, but the price kept me from buying full size. I’m still trying to decide which to splurge

    Reply
    • Rifat Yaseen says

      March 14, 2020 at 12:28 am

      Hey!! Thank you SO much. I have tried Drunk Elephant’s glycolic serum and it was super gentle and worked, I felt slight to no irritation. I still get the warm feeling for the first few minutes of using The Ordinary one. Haven’t tried Paula’s Choice yet but quite positive that it’ll feel gentler. 🙁

      Reply
  16. Patty says

    January 21, 2020 at 12:19 am

    Curious your thoughts on alternating with Retinol and Vitamin C. I was using Glow with The Ordinary Buffet peptides, but see that now The Ordinary is recommending that we not do that! I alternate between one of the weak The Ordinary Retinols at night and Vitamin C, and assume that I shouldn’t add Glow on as well. Just go every three days? (i.e. Retinal on the first night, Vit C on the 2nd, Glow on the 3rd). Alternately, I was thinking I could wash my face and use Glow first thing in the morning, then finish my morning routine after dressing and breakfast giving it about 45 mintues between Glow and Buffet… would that be enough time to ensure the two don’t interact poorly? From what I understand the use of acids renders the peptides ineffective.

    Reply
    • Rifat Yaseen says

      January 24, 2020 at 9:41 pm

      Yes even I saw TO recommending to not use peptides with direct acids but other brands support these two combinations so it’s slightly confusing for me too. You can do Vitamin C in the morning as vit c combined with sunscreen gives better protection against free radicals than sunscreen alone! Alternate between retinol and glow tonic at nights. You can give a gap of 30 minutes between Buffet and vit c in the morning.
      The reason behind not using peptides and direct acids was that peptides lose effectiveness under low pH. So if you’re going to use glow tonic + buffet then I don’t think the combo would be bad as glow tonic has a higher pH than most of the other acids, somewhere around 5-6 which is the same as buffet. If I’ve missed something please let me know! 🙂

      Reply
  17. Mamta says

    December 31, 2019 at 12:39 pm

    After using Glow Tonic , what product has to be applied. I have normal to dry skin . Can I used BUffet from Ordinary after Glow tonic

    Reply
    • Rifat Yaseen says

      January 1, 2020 at 4:49 pm

      You can apply a hyaluronic acid serum (from The Ordinary) and then COSRX Snail cream. This is what the ordinary has mentioned about using buffet with other acids “It is best to not use Peptides in the same routine as the following products: Direct acids, LAA (L-Ascorbic Acid) and ELAA (Ethylated Ascorbic Acid). ” so I wouldn’t mix to be on a safer side. But Pixi is quite mild so if you want to experiment you can.

      Reply
  18. Ashley says

    December 5, 2019 at 3:55 pm

    Can we use The Body Shop Anti-Imperfection Daily Solution after using the Pixi Glow Tonic?

    Reply
    • Rifat Yaseen says

      December 13, 2019 at 2:30 pm

      Shouldn’t be problem as long as it works for your skin.

      Reply
  19. Stella says

    December 1, 2019 at 4:04 pm

    hi! i’ve neer used an acid on my skin before but now i wanna start using glycloid acid. i have an oily skin, with blackheads and pimples sometimes; according to your guide, i’m going to buy the pixi glow tonic, but i still need an advice: can i use hyaluronic acid (like the “the ordinary” one) after this tonic? Otherwise, which product do you suggest me to moisturize my skin? thank you in advance (and sorry for my bad english too but it isn’t my mother language)

    Reply
    • Rifat Yaseen says

      December 1, 2019 at 7:43 pm

      Hello! Yes please start with pixi glow tonic and you can use it with hyaluronic acid. When starting out please use it only thrice a week at night and be very regular with sunscreen application whenever you’re out in the sun as glycolic acid increase skin’s sensitivity towards sun! And for moisturiser there are quite a few good ones for oily skin, you can buy any of these that match your budget, liking and availability: Krave oat so simple cream, cosrx snail cream (mostly as a night cream for intense soothing and moisturisation), pixi phenomenal gel, drunk elephant protini, PURITO Deep Sea Pure Water Cream, etc.

      Reply
  20. tabitha says

    November 29, 2019 at 3:36 pm

    I’ve been using Pixi Glow Tonic for a couple years now, and I think Pixi just no longer works like it used to on my skin. (probably because my skin is already used to it). Do you think I should try the ordinary acid because im interested but i kinda scared it’ll make my skin worse

    Reply
    • Rifat Yaseen says

      December 1, 2019 at 7:38 pm

      There’s absolutely nothing to be scared about. You can surely start using The Ordinary toner, use it thrice a week at night and if you feel there’s some stinging then apply a hydrating toner first and then go with the ordinary as this would act as a buffer and reduce initial irritation. Make sure you don’t apply any acids on damp skin 🙂

      Reply
  21. Nini says

    November 6, 2019 at 2:16 am

    I love this review, do you have a review for the glow tonic serum and the ordinary serum?

    Reply
    • Rifat Yaseen says

      November 18, 2019 at 1:26 pm

      Hey, thank you so much! I have a review on the ordinary glycolic acid toner but not for Pixi glow tonic. Here’s the one for TO https://thebeautywonk.com/the-ordinary-glycolic-acid-7-toning-solution/

      Reply
      • Stella says

        December 1, 2019 at 7:51 pm

        so basically a soft cleanser, pixi glow tonic thrice a week, hyaluronic serum and one of the creams you suggested me could be a great routine for a beginner like me?

        Reply
        • Rifat Yaseen says

          December 1, 2019 at 8:21 pm

          Yes exactly. Also, at night please double cleanse. A cleansing balm/oil would be the best choice. Double cleansing played a major role in reducing blackheads and clogged pores for my oily skin. Some good options are Klairs Cleansing Oil, Heimish Cleansing Balm, Purito Cleansing Oil..all korean cruelty-free brands. Currently, yesstyle.com is having multiple sales till Dec 2 so you can buy and save. 2019CYBER & RIFAT10 will give you a total of 20% off. The moisturisers I mentioned, you can find a few of those on yesstyle too. Hope this helps!

          Reply
  22. Cindy says

    November 4, 2019 at 8:43 am

    Very nicr and in depth review..please what moisturizer can i use after the pixi glow tonic.i just started using clinique even better skin tone correcting moisturiser…c

    Reply
    • Rifat Yaseen says

      November 18, 2019 at 1:34 pm

      Thank you so much! Have you tried the COSRX-Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream? It’s very moisturising and skin-soothing. Highly recommended. And you need a tiny bit!

      Reply
  23. Shivani Sharma says

    September 20, 2019 at 8:13 am

    Thanks for the recommendations! Good to know. For oils I would add Tarte Maracuja oil. Can buy a small bottle for around $18 USD

    Reply
    • Rifat Yaseen says

      September 23, 2019 at 8:54 pm

      Oh! Thank you for suggesting it, I’ll look into it as I haven’t tried any Tarte skincare 😀

      Reply
  24. ellen says

    August 22, 2019 at 6:53 am

    Amazing article! Can’t wait to go read your whole blog ((: I think I’m going to start with the Pixi, like you recommend.
    Two questions– if I’m using Retinol, would it be okay to use both of these products on alternating nights? Or is that maybe too much?
    Also, would you recommend using Hyaluronic acid serum after Glycolic acid toner? Or perhaps a face oil?
    anyways thanks so much! I have been wondering about this for a while (: x

    Reply
    • Rifat Yaseen says

      August 22, 2019 at 3:43 pm

      Hey! Thank you so much 🙂 Yes, it’s absolutely fine to use glycolic acid with retinol on alternate nights. And check out The Inkey List Hyaluronic acid, it’s very hydrating and not at all tacky. The ordinary also has one Hyaluronic Acid called 2% HA + B5, another amazing option but it feels slightly sticky especially if you have combination-oily skin type. For oils, Herbivore Lapis Facial Oil is excellent, non-sticky and hydrating but on a pricier side. Hope I answered your questions, feel free to hit back 🙂

      Reply
  25. Rida Rehman says

    August 20, 2019 at 9:57 am

    Thank you so much for this wonderful review! Made the decision so easy. I’m using a glycolic acid toner and it is so tacky. Wanted to see if I got a bad batch or something. Loved reading this in depth review. Much love.

    Reply
    • Rifat Yaseen says

      August 20, 2019 at 11:19 am

      No, you definitely didn’t get a bad batch, that’s just how it is. And thank you so much for such kind words Rida 🙂

      Reply
      • Leiry says

        August 31, 2019 at 6:06 pm

        I used the Pixi Glow Tonic and I really love it but I’m going to try the Ordinary toner. Bigger bottle for a better price you can’t go wrong.

        Reply
        • Rifat Yaseen says

          August 31, 2019 at 7:30 pm

          Yes, you should definitely go for a higher concentration with The Ordinary one this time. I love it for the price and use it to exfoliate my (strawberry) legs and underarms too.

          Reply
          • Moni says

            September 26, 2019 at 12:40 pm

            Hi Rifat..
            I have hyperpigmentation and dull uneven tone after delivery please suggest

            Reply
            • Rifat Yaseen says

              September 26, 2019 at 3:14 pm

              Morning: Facewash, moisturiser, vitamin c serum (Klairs is good for starters but store it in fridge), sunscreen
              Night: Facewash, pixi glow tonic (alternate nights only), moisturiser
              This will help.

              Reply
              • Belinda says

                April 12, 2020 at 2:58 am

                Hi could purito vitamin c also be good for starters too?

                Reply
                • Rifat Yaseen says

                  April 13, 2020 at 3:06 pm

                  Yes great for starters!

                  Reply
  26. dita says

    August 16, 2019 at 1:56 pm

    Do u think we still need hydrating toner after we use exfoliating toner?
    In my case, I use Pixi then I use Thayers Witch Hazel. Btw, I have normal skin, no acne (sometimes a bit dry).

    Reply
    • Rifat Yaseen says

      August 16, 2019 at 4:37 pm

      It’s not necessary to use a hydrating toner unless your skin feels dry. You can go to your next skincare step be it an essence/ serum /moisturizer.

      Reply
      • Wina says

        November 28, 2019 at 8:00 am

        thanks for the in-depth review of these products! so helpful! ❤️ just want to share my experience with Pixi (not really sure if it was the cause), but after a few days of using my Pixi glow tonic, my lips began to feel dry and chapped. I didnt feel any stinging effect while applying the glow tonic, but as soon as it dries out, thats when my lips gets itchy and irritated that I really have to slather a good amount of lip balm. Do you think the Pixi has something to do with it? cause i also apply pixi around the mouth area (bottom of the nose, chin, sides of the mouth) and always avoid the lips. Im still using Pixi for almost 2 mos now, and despite the chapping of my lips (which got better now), it’s still a great product!

        Reply
        • Rifat Yaseen says

          November 28, 2019 at 2:12 pm

          Thank you so much! If not using Pixi around your mouth improves the skin there it means it’s probably because of that product only (the rest of the routine stays same). I haven’t heard of this happen to anyone else but it’s still possible. The product has fragrance that sensitive skin doesn’t usually like and that could result in weird reactions or there’s some ingredient you’re allergic to (Just a possibility!). It’s quite difficult to understand the reason. Also, check your lip balm. I was once using this burt’s bees one that had gotten a bit old (>1 year) I didn’t pay attention and used it. My lips would get super itchy and dry and sometimes swell the next day.?

          But thank you for sharing your experience here with me and I’m so glad it’s working for you! If you ever feel like stepping up your game, you can try The Ordinary too. 🙂

          Reply
    • Louise says

      May 15, 2020 at 8:29 pm

      So you can use it for underarms? It can brighten? ?

      Reply
      • Rifat Yaseen says

        May 17, 2020 at 1:16 am

        It can reduce stinky underarms and brighten a little.

        Reply
  27. Renuka says

    August 9, 2019 at 11:30 am

    So much research has gone inside this post..well done..btwn a small doubt, I have oily skin and I am using acids already.. Is it ok to use ordinary glycolic one??

    Reply
    • Rifat Yaseen says

      August 9, 2019 at 3:51 pm

      Hey! Thank you so much 🙂 Depends on which acid you’re using. You can try glycolic acid but alternate it between other acids, try not to use them in the same routine. If you have a leave-on BHA treatment then use that on M/W/F and glycolic acid on the rest of the days and same with whichever other acid you’re using. Hope this helps!

      Reply
  28. Tanu says

    July 31, 2019 at 7:52 pm

    I have pigmentation on my arms & my derma bas suggested TO glycolic acid after taking bath. Now should i use some sort of moisturiser on my arms after that or leave it as it is and use moisturiser on other alternate nights when i am not using the acid. Pls reply.

    Reply
    • Rifat Yaseen says

      August 6, 2019 at 9:04 pm

      Hey! If your skin doesn’t feel dry after applying the TO glycolic acid, you don’t need to apply any moisturiser as glycolic acid has some moisture content too. However, if you feel that your skin is dry you can apply any body lotion that you have over it. It’s absolutely fine either way. Hope this helps! 🙂

      Reply
  29. Ayesha says

    July 12, 2019 at 7:11 am

    Does Pixi give free shipping like Cultbeauty? Because Cult Beauty only has the big bottle of Pixi ?

    Reply
    • Rifat Yaseen says

      July 16, 2019 at 7:07 pm

      Nope, sadly they don’t 🙁 Get in touch with some sellers on Instagram, they stock the smaller bottles.

      Reply

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Hello, it's Rifat! Welcome to my beauty space where I talk about cruelty-free makeup, skincare & haircare. My hobbies include hoarding skincare in the name of research!

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Rifat 🇮🇳 Skincare Blogger
I've finished the entire bottle of the @pixibeauty I've finished the entire bottle of the @pixibeauty Vitamin-C Cleanser and it was the only product that impressed me from the Vit-C range.

Great for removing lighter makeup, sunscreen, and dirt. For a full face of makeup, you'd need multiple cotton pads and it's just a lot of hassle. I don't suggest this cleanser for that. But on your regular days, it's great. I like the packaging too, quite convenient.

Overall, don't have any complaints  except for its price in India.

If you want to know more - how to use it, how it works for different skin types, ingredients, etc, I've linked🔗 my blog review in the bio. Take a look. My blog is nice. I write in an organized manner. Ads can be annoying but they're the only thing that bring me little money so deal with it. Thanks.
There's a sudden wave of science and ingredient-ba There's a sudden wave of science and ingredient-backed skincare which I appreciate very much. But lately, it has made things way more complicated than they should be. A good contribution has been made by tiktok in general in screwing people's mind with blanket statements.😭

So I wanted to cancel the noise and give you some simplified tips that you can go back to when shopping for a new sunscreen.

‼️Don't obsess over UV filters and their stability because there's no way you could know how the different ingredients work together in the product. That being said, due to the loose and non-existent regulations we have here, shop from brands you trust!‼️
I've used the @drsheths Neem & BHA serum like an I've used the @drsheths Neem & BHA serum  like an emergency treatment whenever I could feel my skin was congested and it always reduced it with 2-3 uses. (gifted)

I also use it on my shoulder and upper arms, and it is taking care of the clogged pores.

But the texture is just not good, it sits on your skin and makes it impossible for you to layer any other product over it. Even in the morning, when I wash my face I can actually feel the layer coming off.

Decent in terms of results but the texture is very difficult to work with. I don't like it sorry😭 

‼️So far, TO Salicylic Acid is my fav SA treatment, the texture is much better (can't believe I'd say this for TO, LOL) I'll try Paula's Choice BHA next, unless you have any other suggestion? 👀 Shoot in the comment section.‼️
It's been months since I first got my hands on the It's been months since I first got my hands on the COSRX Snail Mucin Essence and I haven't put it down even once. Quantity wise, I have almost half of it left which makes this product super cost-effective.

Today, I want you to tell me who influenced you into trying this cult favourite essence? Let me know in the comment section below.

I also did a full blog review on this - the right way to use it, how it helps your skin, what to expect from it and so on. The link🔗 is in my bio.
What triggered me to do this post? All these comme What triggered me to do this post? All these comments, reddit threads, tweets where people would ask for alternatives to, say, CeraVe cuz they have rosacea and that's the only thing that keeps their skin sane.

Or the ones where people would spend 6x the amount they'd have spent just because the brand isn't cruelty-free. As someone who has done all of it😂 I'd say don't obsess.

Find alternatives only when the experiments aren't going to screw your skin or making you go broke because the testing situation has gotten much better and there's a lot to celebrate🎉

PS: Keep supporting cruelty-free brands whenever you can, especially the ones who could enter the market, but chose not to.

PPS: Was supposed to do a 3-part series but wrapping it up in 2 because ✨ feed aesthetics ✨

Source to verify the laws - Humane Society International
When I started reading about animal testing of cos When I started reading about animal testing of cosmetics, I would only see a very one-sided approach from renowned CF bloggers. After a lot of research, I want to give a balanced view of both sides and discuss this topic in a structured manner. Today I will be just going through the basics of this 3-part series.

Leave your questions below, I'll try to address them either in the comments or in the next posts.

Few points to note:

✨China isn't the only country that tests on animals. However, it's one of the fastest growing economy and hence, a very profitable place for businesses to expand.

✨ There's another criteria followed by some people where they don't consider cruelty-free brands owned by non cruelty-free parent companies as CF. For eg: CF NYX owned by non-CF parent company L'Oréal. As I said, the term is unregulated so it's open to varied definitions. Personally, this doesn't bother me at all and I consider it a reach.

✨Animal testing is banned in India so the brands made and sold here are cruelty-free by default unless they're sold in countries that have compulsory testing.

I'll be going a little deep in tomorrow's post and talk about conflicting information, blanket statements, and why you shouldn't obsess over a brand's CF status, given the new laws.
I have been using the @sulwhasoo.india FCA serum f I have been using the @sulwhasoo.india FCA serum for more than a month now (both AM&PM) and now that the bottle is over, I think it's the right time to share my experience. (gifted)

✨I didn't expect much but it was pretty nice in adding hydration and plumpness to my skin.

✨I have talked about how my barrier was damaged bcz of weather changes and everything stung (on the worst days, even the cosrx snail mucin did a little - yep it was THAT bad), but FCA didn't. Not even once. Unbelievable! It had everything that could "potentially" make things worse! I know formulation is king but still, this is a bit too much. Weird.

I had a bad reaction on my cheeks on my birthday bcz I used my cousin's random blush she got from Amazon. My cheeks were red and had white bumps right after I took off my makeup. Cleansed. Applied FCA. Moisturiser. Woke up. All reduced. Used again. Next day, all gone.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗙𝗖𝗔?
You apply it right after cleansing on damp skin to hydrate and soothe it, and to prepare your skin for the next steps.

𝗛𝗼𝘄'𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝘅𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 & 𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗹?
The texture is very liquidy (has a dull orange colour) and the serum gets absorbed really fast. It has a very nice earthy smell and as I say, if you're adding fragrance, at least make it smell nice.

𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗶 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁: 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁?
I saw two red flags quite up in the list:
🚩 Alcohol (My skin in winters turn dry-combo from very oily and I didn't want to dry it further)

🚩 Fragrance (It usually triggers redness but very rarely, lets me walk away scot-free)

But I took the chance because I was really intrigued by their products and especially, the packaging 🙈 and things went well. Have you tried anything from the brand?
Not y'all in my DMs defending mineral sunscreens o Not y'all in my DMs defending mineral sunscreens over this story just like you defend your toxic exes.😂 Anyway, I had another post planned for today but chuck it. I'll tell you why I think using mineral sunscreens is equivalent to being in a toxic relationship.

Mineral/Physical/Inorganic sunscreens leave a white cast and/or pill really bad. You have to pat, wait for centuries for it to settle and brush off the crumbles from your brows and hairline. Re-applying is another trouble and I don't even want to get into it. Imagine doing all the work to still look like Casper the ghost👻 at the end of the day. (Especially when you're a POC)

How is it different than being in a toxic relationship where you're putting in so much work, it's mentally draining you and you still end up heartbroken?

If you find that a lot of Western sunscreens (*coughs* Neutrogena) sting or make eyes watery, try Korean sunscreens. (Or Japanese). If they're not easily accessible, considering most of my subscribers are Indian, try Re'equil or all the Indian pharma brands.

PS: Please use what works for you, it's between you and your brow hair. When you have certain skin conditions or when you're pregnant, mineral sunscreens are generally recommended so yeah ignore me I'm just being an 🍑.
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