Apr 12

Apr 12 PRODUCT REVIEW: GLOSSIER SOLUTION EXFOLIATING SKIN PERFECTOR – BEST SALICYLIC ACID TONER FOR OILY SKIN, BEST TONER WITH GLYCOLIC ACID

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GLOSSIER | SOLUTION EXFOLIATING SKIN PERFECTOR

I first featured this popular exfoliating toner with a triple blend potent acids on my IG page two weeks ago on #skincarmasaturday — when I share a glimpse of my new skincare discoveries of the week.

I’ve been having a lot of fun immersing myself in all things Glossier over the last several weeks. It’s been a brand on my mind and the #fomo was real.

As everything I’ve tried, Glossier’s Solution Exfoliating Skin Perfector has been a pleasant surprise.

Look, I’m not a fan of pink skincare, feeling that most of it is one huge marketing gimmick. I’ve seen wayyyy too many all-pink shelfies to take it seriously. Ahem, Kylie. So for me, the bar was set rather low. But, Solution is quite an effective, sorta well-formulated acid toner. (More on that on a min!)

Powered by the trifecta of AHA, BHA and PHA, it certainly has the oomph I was expecting from even the best exfoliating toners. There’s a healthy concentration of 0.5% medicinal strength Salicylic Acid that combines with Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid and PHA Gluconolactone to slough away dead surface skin cells and brighten the complexion.

What is Glycolic Acid?

There is an insightful article from the experts on the Paula’s Choice Research Team titled, Glycolic Acid: What It Is and Why You Should Use It. In it, the experts expound on the many superb benefits of Glycolic Acid for the skin.

Glycolic Acid Benefits
Using an exfoliant with glycolic acid for your face results in a brighter, more even toned complexion. Like all AHAs, glycolic acid works by helping turn over spent cells on skin’s surface.
This type of exfoliation addresses numerous skin concerns, including sun damage, uneven tone, rough, flaky patches of skin, fine lines, and wrinkles. In higher concentrations, glycolic acid can even improve the look of deeper wrinkles.
Studies also show that glycolic acid significantly increases skin’s hydration. It does this by helping skin make substances like mucopolysaccharides, which help skin stay hydrated by increasing its natural content of hyaluronic acid, which in turn enhances skin’s resilience.
One exciting new note about glycolic acid: emerging research shows it might even protect skin against UV damage (in addition to reducing its damaging after-effects), though more studies need to be done and of course it doesn’t replace the need for sunscreen. Still, it’s a promising development!
Glycolic acid occurs naturally in sugar cane, but is most effective when synthesized in a lab, where its potency and concentration are optimized for use in skin care. Using plant sugars, like sugar maple, for their glycolic acid content is an option, but the bulk of the research on glycolic acid’s benefits for skin is about the synthetic form, because this type can be optimized for effectiveness, purity, stability, and pH, all critical to getting effective glycolic acid products.

Originally a wild-harvested Mediterranean plant, blue tansy — which is actually yellow in color — is now cultivated mainly in Morocco. When the flower’s popularity in beauty products surged, it was harvested almost out of existence in the wild. Today, supplies are steadily increasing, but it’s still one of the more expensive essential oils. A 2-ounce bottle may cost more than $100.
The blooms of Tanacetum annuum are yellow. Its slender leaves are covered with a fine white “fur.” The oil has a sweet, herbal fragrance due to its high camphor content.

The Salicylic Acid in Glossier’s Solution pairs well with a healthy dose of Niacinamide for what I term “pore maintenance” — effectively flushing out and unclogging pores to optimize skin health and prevent the occurrence of acne blemishes. With regular pore maintenance, pores are healthier and less visible.

I have to admit to liking Solution even though it’s a bit too harsh for my own skin. I’m sensitive like that — particularly to high levels of Glycolic Acid. (I know I’m not alone.)

There’s also a smattering of fragrance, which I loathe in an acid toner. Yikes!

SHOP THE BLOG: Purchase the Glossier Solution Exfoliating Skin Perfector for $24 here.

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