13/01/2014

Exfoliate and Brighten

It's been a little while, but I'm finally writing my review on the Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner*. I've been using it for the past three months or so (though I didn't take it travelling) and I have definitely formed my opinion. This toner is very much raved about and hyped up in the beauty community and for good reason.

The toner is packaged up in a substantial feeling plastic bottle with a lid that twists tightly shut. The 'hole' that the toner is dispensed through is effective enough though the bottle is not very 'squishable' so you sort of have to wait for the product to drip out - it's not at all an impracticality though. You won't get an excess of product coming through which is a plus.

























This toner claims to be a gentle chemical exfoliant that will brighten the skin's tone, smooth skin texture and refine and tighten enlarged pores. It contains glycolic acid which is an alpha hydroxy acid that exfoliates the skin and helps to remove the dead skin cells on the outer layer of your skin. The toner does contain alcohol, but the next ingredient along is glycerin which prevents the toner from being drying on the skin. Glycerin is a humectant which helps retain water in the skin, therefore helping keep the skin from feeling dry. Despite the directions for use of 1-2 times a week, I have been using this every night and haven't experienced any issues. I don't have sensitive skin at all so please be weary. I apply it with a cotton pad and don't experience any stinging or irritation and find it quite comfortable and refreshing on the skin. It also has a very pleasant, light scent that doesn't bother me at all.

I've found my skin has definitely benefited from the use of this toner. I noticed in a matter of days that my skin felt really smooth and the redness in my acne scarring was slightly reduced. I had previously been exfoliating my skin manually twice a week, and with this added into my skincare routine additionally, I've noticed my skin in general has been in better condition. I haven't noticed drastic reductions in my dark spots and scars, though I've learnt that this sort of thing takes time, but I have hope that with continued use it will help fade them. I think the more regular, gentle exfoliation has also helped with acne and any active breakouts, both helping to prevent the bacteria related spots and to help them clear up faster. I think the salicylic acid included helps. I haven't noticed any tightening of enlarged pores, but I don't have very large ones to begin with.
























I will keep you guys updated as I continue to use this (I've only gone through about a centimetre of the product, so I think it will last a while yet) but so far I really like it and think it has done a lot of good for my skin. I think it's a great way of helping with cell renewal without having to use manual exfoliators which can be rough on the skin. I've noticed these chemical exfoliants have been 'trending' in the beauty world lately and I'm hoping more continue to be released, especially from lower end brands. 

Have you guys tried the Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening toner* or any like it?

*product was sent by RY.com but chosen by me

18 comments:

  1. Sounds like a decent product! I've been using chemical exfoliants for a bit, my fave is the AHA/BHA foaming wash from Hada Labo, very very affordable! I would love to try more like this one this year! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Better than decent, haha! Ooh wish I'd heard of that before I went to HK, I totally would have bought it!

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  2. This sounds good. Maybe I should look for more "brightening" products to lighten my acne scars.

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    1. Yeah, I'm always on the lookout for anything that will help even out my skintone.

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  3. I've been waiting for this! Ahhh I need it.


    Sarah | More Than Adored

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    1. Sorry for the wait! And yeah I think you do, haha!

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  4. Caroline hirons raves about this and it's been on my to buy list for a while now! at the moment I'm using theBalms toner which also contains AHA and I've been loving it. The AHA warning kinda scares me though haha - esp with the summer here with us in aus & the lack of sunscreen I use...

    ♥ M&L
    Enter our Bloggiversary Giveaway!

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    1. I think it's kind of required to have the sunscreen warning but I don't think the amount of acid is very concentrated. I wear sunscreen everyday so I'm not fussed.

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  5. Reminds me so much of the Hadalabo! It has a similar dispenser but I find that I have to shake it out onto my hands to get the product out. I have never used any of the Clarins products, but I do want to try this one out!

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    1. I actually quite like the way it dispenses because it doesn't all come flowing out. I've tried a couple of Clarins things and I really like them!

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  6. this looks like a promising products. chemical exfoliation IMO so much better than the physical exfoliation. i just ordered a natural AHA/BHA exfoliating cream from iHERB to incorporate in my skin care regime. Hoping my skin doesn't go berserk with the use of acids!!

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    1. I would agree with you, but sometimes your skin just needs a really good scrubbing! That sounds interesting!

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  7. How cool a exfoliater and toner in one!

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  8. This sounds like it could have holy grail potential. I am going to have to try it out!

    http://pureheartbeauty.blogspot.com.au

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    1. Definitely - I can tell I might not be able to live without it now...

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  9. glad to know this worked well for you! i've been wanting to try out exfoliating toners and this clarins one is definitely one of my top picks. also thanks for the sweet comment on my blog, love yours too and am your newest reader now :)

    rachel x
    blush&brunch

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    1. Thanks for the follow hun! The Clarins one is definitely the most raved about I think, so it's a safe bet!

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