Which acid toner do you use and would you recommend it?

[Lottapianos]

I've got dry and dehydrated skin but it also seems to be becoming a bit combination as I get older! I get quite shiny on my forehead and have noticed some small red bumps appearing. I am prone to flakiness and scaliness on and around my nose. Pretty much no spots ever so acne is not an issue

I've been using REN Clarifying Toner and I'm pretty impressed with it but its the first acid toner I've ever used and so I have nothing to compare it to. I thought of trying Pixi Glow Tonic but have read very mixed reviews - some people love it, some are very underwhelmed by it. I have also heard good things about Clarins Exfoliating Toner, which is a bit more pricey. My budget is up to ?30. Any recommendations? Thanks

[CheesyDibbles]

Paula's Choice Clear Regular Strength 2% BHA. I have been using it for years. It's great, has a very light consistency and doesn't contain alcohol, irritants or anything that may clog your pores. It contains the right amount of BHA (salicylic acid) to effectively exfoliate.

Have you considered that the red bumps on your forehead may be irritation?

[Melonfool]

What else do you use? Why do you think toner is the answer?

[Germgirl]

I've used quite a few and the best by far for me was the FAB pads here
I've run out of them and have tried the Ren toner, a Eucerin toner and the Nip + Fab glycolic pads, in my opinion, none of them work as well as the FAB ones.
I have dehydrated skin with occasional spots, flaky cheeks and nose and bumpy bits.
Once my Ren has run out I'll definitely re-buy the FAB pads.

[Lottapianos]

Cheesy, they're not at all itchy and they're really tiny. I was using the REN toner every 2-3 days but have stepped it up to most days and that has cleared them up quite a bit. No signs of irritation anywhere else on face.

Rest of routine is:
Morning - L'oreal gel cleanser, remove with hot flannel, Superdrug Simply Pure Serum, Astral moisturiser, SPF, make up

Evening - double cleanse, first with Superdrug Natural Radiance HCC, remove with hot flannel, repeat with Una Brennan Superfacialist Vitamin C oil, REN acid toner, Avene theramal water spray, then serum followed by Astral. Sometimes do a quick facial massage with olive oil in between serum and Astral (2-3 times a week). Skin is in great condition, just a bit oilier on T-zone than it was even a few months ago

[QuiteLikely5]

Why do people use acid toners? For what?

I'm such a novice at this beauty lark!

[Lottapianos]

Thanks Germgirl, had forgotton about FAB pads. I remember reading rave reviews about them on here! May give them a go next, good price too

Quite, they are the new version of the old scrubby exfoliators, which were usually a gel or cream with little beads or particles which you used on a wet face to get rid of the very top layer of flaky dead skin, to reveal the more glowy skin underneath. The thinking now is that they are way too harsh for most skins. Acid toners are a very weak solution of acid (various types available) which you use on a cotton pad on your face. They do the same job as scrubs but are much more gentle. If you're new to beauty but want to find out more, then hang around here or check out Caroline Hirons' blog - there's 'cheat sheets' on there to help get you into various stages of skincare. Don't worry if you get overwhelmed - if you bought all the stuff she recommends, you would need a whole new bathroom just for your products!

[Coastingit]

I use Bravura Calendula toner, this one

It says for oily skin but I have quite sensitive and dry skin and it is fabulous for me, has literally transformed my skin. I use it 2-3 times a week in the evening and it makes my skin glassy smooth. I am currently sleep deprived with a newborn and yet my skin is glowing It doesn't clear my pores though so I'm looking at Paula's Choice BHA lotion for that and will alternate the two.

I use Cetaphil to cleanse and Cerave PM to moisturise. Considering adding a serum soon, maybe Vichy Aqualia.

[Lottapianos]

'Considering adding a serum soon, maybe Vichy Aqualia.'

I have used Aqualia and its' great, but to be honest, in terms of moisturisng and 'plumping' effect, I find the Superdrug serum I mentioned above just as good. And it costs under ?3

[Germgirl]

I've just re-ordered the FAB pads :) I'll keep the Ren as back up & start on them again. I know they're the best ones for me.
I used to occasional drag a face wipe over my face, now, after reading the skincare threads on here, this is the basket next to my bed. There's more stuff in the bathroom.
My skin has improved so much though. It's all worth it :)

[Germgirl]

I love the Aqualia, (it's in that basket!), but it's nearly run out. I shall get some superdrug stuff to try, is it really just as good?

[NomiMalone]

I have just bought the Pixi Glow Tonic and while it's nice I'm not in love with it just yet.

I really didn't like the Clarins Gentle Brightening Exfoliating Toner. I used it for a few months (to use the bottle up) and it did nothing for my skin.

Liquid Gold is next on my list to try.

[Germgirl]

Liquid gold isn't an every day acid toner though. I use it twice or 3 times a week at bedtime. It's very good although it doesn't seem to be as good as it was at the start. It's effects are slowing down on me.

[CityDweller]

I don't really rate the REN one. Others I've been using are the FAB pads and also Clinique's mild clarifying lotion (the one that's just salicylic acid). I think they're both good, but neither have totally wowed me.

[CheesyDibbles]

Quitelikely5 acid toners exfoliate, but without the scrubbing that comes with manual exfoliation which can be quite harsh on the skin. In theory, acids can be gentler. Salicylic acid (BHA) is particularly good for acne and glycolic/AHA is good for anti-ageing concerns.

Lottapianos if you are happy with it, maybe you should stick with it for a while? I have read that anything containing BHA works best at a concentration of 1-2% and that anything below that is not as effective.

[Lottapianos]

Germgirl, it doesn't smell as nice (doesn't smell of anything really), and doesn't come in a lovely glass bottle, and its more of a gel consistency rather than the watery Vichy consistency. Other than that, I really do think its just as good. Not sure I will go back to Vichy, and I did like it. One word of warning - it can be hard to find in Superdrug stores, but I've never had a problem finding it on the website. Its often on 2 for ?3.50 - proper bargain!

Love your basket! Completely agree about the results you see from proper skincare

[Lottapianos]

Thanks Nomi. Clarins is such a Marmite brand - some people adore it and won't use anything else, others think its useless.

[Germgirl]

I'll order some today. Thanks Lotta my Aqualia has almost gone.
Not bothered about smell or bottle. If it works, I'll use it :)

[Coastingit]

Interesting about the Superdrug one. I'm a bit hesitant about Superdrug recommendations on here as everyone was raving about the facial oil and I found it drying and greasy and no good at all. And a moisturiser from the same range left my skin parched and itchy.

I'm a bit confused about serums in general tbh, it seems they just include similar ingredients to traditional moisturising creams but in a different silicone based consistency, and suddenly they're essential? Like having the word 'serum' suddenly makes a product attractive. But I do want to add one as although I'm happy with Cetaphil/Cerave, my skin does need a bit more moisture and it seems to be the current thinking that serums are the thing. Just want the right one.

[Lottapianos]

Coastingit, totally with you on the facial oil - its basically just baby oil and full of silicone, no good stuff in there at all. No idea why people rave about it. I swear the serum is good though! I have dry and dehydrated skin and it works a treat for me

[Germgirl]

Well I've ordered it :) it's £1.79 at the moment. If it doesn't work for me then I've hardly wasted a fortune. Thank you Lotta
I also ordered thirty quids worth of make up but let's not talk about that

[BrittaTheNeedlesslyDefiant]

Bravura Calendula here too

And yes, I love it. Never tried any of the other though.

I use it every other night, alernating with a Madara (non-acid) toner.

[Lottapianos]

You're welcome Germ, hope it works for you. You're a woman after my own heart with the extra small spend on make up

[CityDweller]

I like the Soap and Glory serum - as impressed with it as a previous one (Merumaya) that was twice the price

[Melonfool]

I hate Caroline Hirons - started reading her blog a few days ago and have spent over £100 so far on very few products! (no, love it really, at my grand age, 47, I really should do something more than wash my face in the shower).

I work away so I need two sets of everything, though this does mean I can keep some things in one place that are not for daily use anyway. I won't always work away though.

My new home routine currently - I am using Bio oil to cleanse my face (because I already had it) and washing with hot flannel, followed by Dermalogica creamy cleanser, which I also already had.
In London I now have Superdrug hot cloth cleanser and macullar (sp?) water for cleansing. These are both new, I was using Simple foaming face wash previously.

In the morning I use the Una Brennan cream cleanser in the shower and in London the Superdrug HCC again.

At home I then use Clarins double serum follow by Bioderm night time moisturiser (both things I already had). In London I now use Superdrug glycolic peel twice a week. In between I have a Neals Yard moisturiser.

I have ordered new things:

1. Originals oil facial cleanser (I am loving the oil but Bio oil isn't quite right and am not keen on the smell)
   
2. REN hot cloth cleanser (these two will be my new nighttime cleansing routine)
   
3. Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Peel and Reveal Revitalizing Mask
   
   I've not made it onto toners/sprays/serums yet but will get the Superdrug serum and try it, though I really must use up the Clarins one and a Clinique one I have too. Both are fine but if I can use something as good cheaper then I will do.
   
   I will never put as much stuff on my face as CH recommends, it's just too much. For make up I only use tinted moisturiser (with SPF) and powder. Sometimes a primer.
   
   My sin does feel and look better already.

[EuphemiaCoxton]

I was horribly allergic to pixi glow, I use burts bees now and that is really good.