I was so excited when I found a dupe for Pixi Glow. Bravura Revitalising Ginseng Toner with 5% Glycolic Acid was pretty much the same thing, only cheaper. Then, they ruined it: the price went up, the size went down… In the end, Pixi Glow turned out how to be the cheaper option! Then, The Ordinary came along. Their Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution looks like the perfect candidate to knock Pixi Glow off its throne and gain the crown for best exfoliating toner out there. Let the battle begin… and the best toner win:
What Ingredients Do Pixi Glow And The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution Have In Common?
GLYCOLIC ACID TO EXFOLIATE SKIN
Glycolic acid is the most famous member of the Alpha Hydroxy Acid family, a group of exfoliants derived from fruits and sugar cane (Glycolic Acid is derived from sugar cane). Glycolic acid is my fave AHA, too, because it’s a multitasker:
Awesome, right? There are two catches:
Irritation: Everything that removes dead skin cells can irritate skin. The lower the dose of GA, the lower the chance of irritation (and its effectiveness).
PH: A high ph neutralises GA, making it useless.
Pixi Glow has 5% Glycolic Acid at a ph of 4.1. This is fairly high. Roughly 1.8% of Glycolic Acid survives to exfoliates your skin. The Ordinary has a 7% Glycolic Acid at a ph of 3.5-3.7. This is much more friendly to Glycolic Acid. Roughly 4.4% survives unscathed. The bottom line? The Ordinary is more effective but also more irritating.
P.S. At this dose, we’re talking irritating for sensitive skin. Most people will be able to use these toners without problems.
Related: The Complete Guide To Glycolic Acid: What It Is, What It Does, And How To Use It
Want more dupes? Subscribe to the newsletter below and receive the “Skincare Dupes” cheatsheet with all my fave dupes:
ALOE VERA TO SOOTHE SKIN
Did you know that aloe is 99.5% made of water? The goodies that make it so soothing and moisturizing are in the remaining 0.5%! Some of these goodies are called polysaccharides and they’re more abundant in aloe vera juice than aloe vera water. Why this matters? Because Pixi is using a dollop of the juice and The Ordinary a few drops of the water. That makes the Pixi toner a little bit more hydrating.
Related: Can Aloe Vera Treat Sunburns And Stretch Marks?
HEXYL NICOTINATE
Hexyl Nicotinate is a vasodilator that “causes the blood vessels near to the surface of the skin to increase in diameter and to increase their blood flow.” It doesn’t really do much for the skin but I had to mention it because it can be irritating if you have super sensitive skin.
If you’re feeling completely intimidated and overwhelmed by The Ordinary skincare I recommend taking Extraordinary Skin With The Ordinary. A The Ordinary speed training created by my scientist friend Cheryl Woodman. Cheryl’s helped hundreds of ladies see real-life results, first hand. Click here to find out more about the course and see their reviews. (affiliate link)
What Else Is In These Exfoliating Toners?
NOTE: The colours indicate the effectiveness of an ingredient. It is ILLEGAL to put toxic and harmful ingredients in skincare products.
Green: It’s effective, proven to work, and helps the product do the best possible job for your skin.
Yellow: There’s not much proof it works (at least, yet).
Red: What is this doing here?!
PIXI GLOW
Aqua: The main solvent in the product, it helps to dissolve other ingredients.
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Leaf Extract: A controversial ingredient. On the one hand, it has powerful astringent, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. But depending on how it’s made and the part of the plant used, it can also contain irritants, like alcohol.
Aesculus Hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut) Seed Extract: It has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce redness and irritation.
Ammonium Glycolate: It helps to just the pH of skincare products.
Glycerin: A humectant that draws water from the air into your skin to increase skin’s moisture level and keep skin softer and smoother for longer.
Glucose: A natural sugar that binds water to the skin, increasing its hydration levels.
Fructose: It has water-binding properties that hydrate skin.
Sucrose: Another type of sugar with water-binding properties that hydrate skin.
Urea: A humectant that’s part of your skin’s protective barrier, it attracts and binds a truckload of moisture to your skin to keep it softer and plumper for hours. It’s so hydrating, it works best for super dry, super dehydrated skin.
Dextrin: It helps thicken the texture of skincare products.
Alanine: An amino acid that helps skin retain moisture.
Glutamic Acid: Another amino acid with hydrating properties.
Panax Ginseng Root Extract: A key ingredient in Korean skincare, it has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Phenoxyethanol: A preservative that inhibits the growth of bacteria in skincare products, helping them last longer.
Sodium Benzoate: Another preservative that helps skincare products last longer.
Biotin: Also known as Vitamin H, it has no known skincare benefits. That’s the only reason it’s getting a red rating.
Polysorbate 20: An emulsifier that helps water-based and water-based ingredients blend together.
Fragrance: The most irritating ingredient used in skincare, it makes the toner smell good.
THE ORDINARY GLYCOLIC ACID 7% TONING SOLUTION
Aqua (Water): The main solvent in the product, it helps to dissolve other ingredients.
Rosa damascena flower water: It has hydrating and antioxidant properties. It has also fragrant components that may irritate sensitive skin, but in a much lower dose than the essential oil version. So the chances of irritations are lower. That’s why it gets a yellow instead of a red rating.
Centaurea cyanus flower water: Derived from cornflower, it has soothing and antioxidant properties.
Propanediol: An alcohol that enhances the penetration of active ingredients.
Glycerin: A humectant that draws water from the air into your skin to increase skin’s moisture level and keep skin softer and smoother for longer.
Triethanolamine: It helps to adjust the pH of skincare products.
Aminomethyl Propanol: Another pH adjuster.
Panax Ginseng Root Extract: A key ingredient in Korean skincare, it has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Tasmania Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract: This natural extract has powerful antioxidant and soothing properties.
Aspartic Acid: An amino acid that helps to soothe and hydrate skin.
Alanine: An amino acid that helps skin retain moisture.
Glycine: An amino acid that hydrates skin and speeds up the healing process.
Serine: An amino acid that helps skin retain moisture, so it looks softer and smoother.
Valine: It improves your skin’s natural moisturising factor and helps soothe skin.
Isoleucine: It binds moisture to the skin, keeping it hydrated for longer.
Proline: It helps skin maintain moisture and look younger.
Threonine: An amino acid that hydrates skin, giving it a softer look and feel.
Histidine: An amino acid polypeptide with antioxidant and soothing properties.
Phenylalanine: Another hydrating amino acid.
Glutamic Acid: Another hydrating amino acid.
Arginine: Another amino acids with hydrating properties.
PCA: A humectant derived from amino acids that makes skin softer and smoother.
Sodium PCA: It attracts and binds moisture to your skin, helping it to stay hydrated for longer.
Sodium Lactate: It hydrates skin and helps adjust the cleanser’s pH to boot.
Fructose: It has water-binding properties that hydrate skin.
Glucose: A natural sugar that binds water to the skin, increasing its hydration levels.
Sucrose: Another type of sugar with water-binding properties that hydrate skin.
Urea: A humectant that’s part of your skin’s protective barrier, it attracts and binds a truckload of moisture to your skin to keep it softer and plumper for hours. It’s so hydrating, it works best for super dry, super dehydrated skin.
Dextrin: It helps to thicken the texture of skincare products.
Citric Acid: It helps to adjust the pH of skincare products.
Polysorbate 20: An emulsifier that helps water-based and water-based ingredients blend together.
Gellan Gum: It helps to enhance the texture of skincare products and keeps them stable for longer.
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate: A chelating agent that neutralises the metal ions in the water that would otherwise spoil the formula.
Sodium Chloride: A.k.a. table salt, it thickens the texture of skincare products.
Hexylene Glycol: It helps skincare products spread easily onto your skin.
Potassium Sorbate: A preservative that helps skincare products last longer.
Sodium Benzoate: Another preservative that helps skincare products last longer.
1,2-Hexanediol: A synthetic preservative with hydrating properties.
Caprylyl Glycol: A skin conditioning agent with mild preservative properties.
WHICH FORMULA IS BETTER?
Pixi Glow is rich in humectants that hydrate skin with a sprinkle of antioxidants thrown in for good measure.
Related: Why You Should Add Amino Acids To Your Skincare Routine
What Is The Texture Like?
What’s The Packaging Like?
Pixi Glow come in a see-through bottle with green accent that doesn’t protect glycolic acid from the light that may spoil them. Store it somewhere dark.
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution comes in a similar see-through bottle, but with white accents. Store it somewhere dark, too.
How To Use Them
It doesn’t matter if they’re called toners. Anything with Glycolic Acid is an exfoliant, so use it as such. Two or three nights a week, after cleansing. Don’t use on the same night as retinoids or other harsh actives, like retinol.
Which One Of The Two Should You Go For?
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution. It’s hands down the most effective of the two. But if your skin is seriously dry and needs something gentler and more hydrating, Pixi Glow is the way to go.
Availability
Pixi Glow (£18.00): Available at Boots, Cult Beauty, Look Fantastic, and Sephora
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution (£11.50): Available at Beauty Bay, Boots, Cult Beauty, Look Fantastic, Sephora, SpaceNK, The Ordinary, and Ulta.
Is The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution A Dupe For Pixi Glow?
PIXI GLOW
THE ORDINARY GLYCOLIC ACID TONER
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
5% Glycolic Acid.
7% Glycolic Acid.
OTHER INGREDIENTS
Aloe vera and humectants.
Aloe vera, humectants, and amino acids.
TEXTURE
Lightweight and runny.
Lightweight and runny.
PACKAGING
See-through bottle.
See-through bottle with a big opening. Be careful when you use it!
PERFORMANCE
Softens, smoothens, and brightens skin. Works more slowly than The Ordinary.
Softens, smoothens, and brightens skin.
IRRITATING POTENTIAL
Low.
Low.
Yes, yes, yes! The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution is a dupe for Pixi Glow. A more effective one, too! Make the switch.
Aqua, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Leaf Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut) Seed Extract, Glycolic Acid (5%), Ammonium Glycolate, Glycerin, Glucose, Fructose, Sucrose, Urea, Dextrin, Alanine, Glutamic Acid, Hexyl Nicotinate, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Biotin, Polysorbate 20, Fragrance.
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
Aqua (Water), Glycolic Acid, Rosa damascena flower water, Centaurea cyanus flower water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Triethanolamine, Aminomethyl Propanol, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Tasmania Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract, Aspartic Acid, Alanine, Glycine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Glutamic Acid, Arginine, PCA, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Fructose, Glucose, Sucrose, Urea, Hexyl Nicotinate, Dextrin, Citric Acid, Polysorbate 20, Gellan Gum, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Chloride, Hexylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol.
About Gio
Hi, I’m Gio. I’m a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever – every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what’s worth the splurge and what’s best left on the shelf – using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.
