Thoughts on La Roche Posay Astringent Lotion?

[LordTumble]

Ok, so after my post on acid based toners I popped into town today intending to buy the REN Clarifying Lotion, only our M&S turned out not to stock it. Went on to Boots instead to try and find something else. By this point DD is laid in the aisle whingeing and whining so I ended up grabbing some La Roche Posay Effaclar Astringent Lotion as a quick Google seemed to suggest it had good reviews.

We're home now and I'm no longer so sure whether it will be any good. The second ingredient is alcohol so I'm worried it will just completely strip my skin, although I'm only intending on using it two or three times a week as an exfoliator.

Has anyone else used this? Thoughts? Not even sure if it's returnable ??

I've not used it but had a look at the ingredients. It does seem a mix of an old school toner (just made your skin feel tight due to the alcohol and didn't do much else) and a new acid toner - there is the required salicylic acid in there. However it is pretty much last on the list of ingredients - I don't think this is a 'use twice a week exfoliator' along the lines of Liquid Gold, the dose of acid is likely low so you are meant to use it in a standard cleanse, tone, moisturise routine.

It's unlikely to be properly stripping as the next ingredient after the alcohol is glycerin. The point of the Effaclar range is that it doesn't dry you out or strip your skin as the acid does all the work so it would be a shame if they had a duff product.

Effaclar is a great range so I'd give it a go and see. What I really want to try from them is their new Clarifying Toner (which probably exactly what you were looking for too) but at the moment it's only available as part of a 3 step kit

Thanks Kundry, that's really helpful . I'm not too good at deciphering ingredients.

I have tried this toner tonight and have found it much too harsh unfortunately although I think that's probably down to my skin rather than the toner. It has made the skin on my cheekbones feel quite sore so I don't think I'll be using it again - looks like another thing I'll have to pass onto the DM.

Thanks for your help though.

Oh dear. I think they've only included it for people who are used to 'cleanse, tone, moisturise' and like the drying effect of the alcohol.

The website says 'tightens pores' which is clearly bullshit as nothing does that, it's just the alcohol evaporating makes you think everything is tight.

A proper acid exfoliator shouldn't feel harsh straight away, like the much beloved Effaclar Duo which isn't stripping at all.

I use Paula's Choice 2% BHA which is lovely.

Thanks I'll take a look at that one. I blame dd for forcing me into an impulse buy personally