8 best exfoliating toners that tackle ageing and scarring for smoother, glowy skin
The age old toner is a skincare sceptical. Some folks rave about them while others think it’s a big old waste of time. Weirdly, both can be right depending on what they’re wielding.
The humble toner of yore usually came packaged as water with some floral extracts of some kind, claiming to calm and rehabilitate skin. Mostly what it It is is a make-up remover, taking off any left over residue, after cleansing.
Fast forward to contemporary beautyville and what is colloquially known as the exfoliating toner has a well deserving spotlight. They come in a variety of formulations each housing different strings to their bow.
The main attraction is the inclusion of a skin saving acid, which depending on which letter of the alphabet you’re going for has a different molecular structure and therefore purpose when utilised.
The most famous are the AHAs; water soluble, chemical compounds that are perfect for clarifying skin and clearing out pores on the surface. These break down the bonds between dead skin cells and leave you feeling much fresher as a result.
Your BHAs are your salicylic acid. The difference being these are oil soluble and anti-microbial; travelling into the pores, clearing them out for a deeper cleanse. Perfect for oilier skin types. Lastly there’s the PHAs; not too dissimilar to AHAs however these are made up of much larger molecules and therefore the better choice for more sensitive skin who are less tolerant.
You also want your acids to come in at a PH level of three to four so they get to do their finest work. Anything over or under is going to be lacklustre in efficacy.
If you’re new to the chemical exfoliation game, go slow and get a feel for how the products work. Getting over zealous with your cotton pad swooshes or choosing too strong a formulation could result in over exfoliation and therefore getting yourself into a sensitive skin pickle. It should be about seeing the results, not feeling the burn.
So whether you’re blemish prone or want to smooth out texture, we’ve got you covered.
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Oskia liquid mask lactic acid micro-peel: £65, Space NK
A bedtime beauty booster if we ever experienced one, Oskia’s lactic acid peel is an overnight sensation. Lactic acid is the less aggressive sister to glycolic and is also more moisturising. Naturally derived, the 10 per cent sugar beet extraction works on all skin types and is a joy to use, feeling instantly fresh on first application.
There’s a burst of variable molecular weight hyaluronic acid to hydrate as the acids do their work. Pro-vitamin B5 and and MSM calm and target inflammation too. It’s an impressive mix of all the good things with an ideal PH and the highest amount of lactic acid packed under EU regulations. It’s a straight down the line, no mucking about affair with a reliable and effective outcome.
While this isn’t a generic toner per se, it works in exactly the same way. It’s also only a three times a week max relationship so this is perfect option for those of us that are committed, but appreciate some space.
Lumene glow lumenessence brightening beauty lotion: £13.90, John Lewis & Partners
Finland has recently appointed the world’s youngest prime minister Sanna Marin at the ripe old age of 34; if they can do that then producing an exfoliating lotion right is probably done with their eyes closed. This is a particularly good option for those who need a little morning pick me up. The added benefit of vitamin C will see you strengthen your environmental barriers for the day ahead while gentle fruit acids exfoliate to clarify your base. There’s a small amount of hyaluronic acid to add an extra moisture hit.
The large amount of witch hazel will also help soothe inflamed skin and irritation. But do beware if you’re reactive to fragrance as there is a tiny amount in here which may give you grief. There’s a pleasant citrus scent with no tacky or sticky feeling. This is a budget friendly, super choice for extra skin protection with a kind and calm approach to its method.
The Inkey List PHA toner: £9.99, Cult Beauty
Sensitive skins rejoice as the industry’s self-appointed beauty translator has developed this no nonsense offering. The Inkey List prides itself on minimal ingredients lists with helpful assets from top to bottom. A large amount of propanediol and niacinamide help protect skin and tighten pores while gluconolactone is your exfoliating hero here.
PHAs have natural humectant properties so will also help moisturise as well as dissolve unwanted surface skin. Aloe barbadensis leaf juice helps counteract dryness from the exfoliants at play. With a great PH level for efficacy, this is a terrific no frills choice for anyone wanting to give an exfoliating toner their first try or those who want a more gentle approach.
Goop G.tox malachite+ AHA pore refining tonic: £68, Goop
We find real joy in the Goop range. Beyond the shopfront of Gwenyth Paltrow’s perfect pout, there are some serious skincare contenders. Its acid toner is an impressive 15 per cent mix of glycolic, phytic and fruit acids; a multilayered approach that will dig deep into pores. Malachite, also featured here, is high in copper, which helps improve the elasticity of the skin alongside boosting collagen production.
It’s a gorgeous blue colour with mineral rich deep sea water sourced from the coasts of France. So extra but so welcome. It has a wonderfully refreshing feel on the skin with no irritation or redness ensuing. It’s a unique one on this list with a heavyweight cocktail of ingredients hard to find elsewhere, but it’s perfect for combination skin thanks to where the ingredients sit in the formulation.
Emma Hardie exfoliating brightening tonic: £28, Look Fantastic
The Emma Hardie line is a sensorial dream with scents and textures to die for. The brightening tonic isn’t your average exfoliating juice as its base is grape seed and almond seed oil, so it has much denser and comforting texture. Pomegranate enzymes are your bacteria busting chum in this formula with a shot of bakuchoil which is the natural alternative to retinol. Anti-ageing boost? Don’t mind if we do.
This is the perfect choice for drier skin types with its rich and sumptuous texture. It’s incredibly gentle so isn’t an instant fix by any means and the inclusion of essential oils and fragrance might not work for particularly sensitive skin. Do a patch test if you’re concerned but it’s a great alternative to the more vigorous options, especially in the winter months.
Kate Somerville liquid exfoliKate triple acid resurfacing treatment: £50, Kate Somerville
The exfolikate range is by far the most infamous of the brand and this reinvention of the classic is the perfect nighttime treat. Injected with papaya, pineapple and pumpkin enzymes (Kate’s three Ps for perfect skin) this lactic, phytic and glycolic mix works every which way for a morning glow.
With antibacterial honey and vitamin E, we’ve got calming agents galore and no dryness post application. We found this one particularly good for problematic skin texture. We’d also skip the cotton pads with this one and apply directly by patting into the skin. Don’t let a drop of it go to waste.
Omorovicza silver skin tonic: £55, Space NK
The BHA beast is combined with anti-bacterial collodial silver in Omorvicza’s silver skin tonic. The salicylic acid is going to cleanse like a pro while silver heals the skin and niacinamide brightens. Of course the signature Hungarian thermal water is the foundation with its mineral rich properties, helping to soothe while all the pore-purging magic happens.
This is a terrific option if you’re wanting to test the acidic waters but concerned about aggravating skin further as it’s the perfect balance to battle blemishes while offering a nice cool down post workout. The acid isn’t the top note either so there’s plenty of comfort cushioning in the formula.
Herbivore prism exfoliating glow potion: £52, Space NK
Herbivore is the brand that just keeps giving. As it donates $1 from every bottle of this glow potion sold to charities chosen by the Herbivore team, what’s not to love? It’s a light oil texture that absorbs quickly and works nicely in the morning thanks to its low acid dosage. There’s a subtle dew to the skin – working perfectly for make-up application.
It’s great for hyperpigmentation and any pesky dry patches that are lurking. It’s also rich in vitamin C, aiding towards your environmental shield. Mix this with a hyaluronic acid if you’re craving a little extra moisture. It’s clean and green and all for a good cause beyond your individual reflection.
The verdict: Exfoliating toners
Oskia helps you turn heads overnight which makes it our best buy. Goop’s gets a special mention thanks to its unique formulation and The Inkey List provides a good starting point – both for effectiveness and budget.
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