Medik 8 vs Beauty Pie

[HLU1982]

Hello

I've been using Medik8 Press and Glow toner for around a year and love it

I also have a Beauty Pie subscription and received a free bottle of Dr Glycolic toner, which apparently you can only use 3 times a week.

Just wondering if anyone knows the difference as both as acid toners?

Medik8 is a polyhodroxy acid product (PHA) whereas glycolic is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). Main difference, generally, is their molecular size, AHA is smaller and therefore penetrates quicker meaning more instantly effective but the downside is that it can be quite irritating. PHA is larger and therefore slower but less irritating. AHA is good if you're on the rhino hide spectrum and get the sense a lot of products don't really do anything and it's also good for dry skin. PHA is for more sensitive skin and/or to use alongside a regime that has strong actives in where you still want the benefit of an exfoliating product but not the added irritation to your skin barrier that's already getting tested by other strong actives (like a retinoid or vitamin c).

The pH of an acid toner is also something to take in consideration, the more acidic the more irritating it is. I'm not sure beauty pie disclose theirs but I think Medik8 does and it's not very low, just mildly acidic, therefore quite gentle. The max 3 times a week recommendation for the beauty pie would suggest it's on the lower pH side.

Very helpful. Thank you x