FACIAL EXFOLIATOR - LIQUID
Liquid exfoliators are now a HUGE beauty category, tapping into the idea that you really can sweep away dullness with a simple, toner-style product. These might LOOK like the sort of toner you’d use to finish your cleansing process, but they’re more actively formulated to banish dead cells and brighten, and many users like to use them in the morning, we find.
For the first time, we’ve created a stand-alone category for this style of product, as there have been so many introductions – and so many great winners, here. If you prefer the type of exfoliator that’s delivered from a tube, though, there’s a category for that – read here. And if you are looking for pads, pre-soaked with a specific dose of product and according to a suggested skin-brightening ‘regime’, click here for the winners in FACIAL EXFOLIATOR – PAD.
Whichever style of product works best for you and your lifestyle, we’ve a way to glow…
GOLD AWARD Emma Hardie Exfoliating Brightening Tonic
Bronze winner in 2021, and now Gold. ‘Clinically proven to reduce signs of ageing including reduction of roughness and dryness, fine lines and wrinkles’ is the somewhat ambitious promise of this cleanser. It contains bakuchiol – a natural alternative to retinol, offering a lower potential for irritation – as well as pomegranate enzymes, hydrating aloe vera and a couple of high-tech ingredients glorying in the names Sytenol A (to increase elasticity) and Tego Cosmo 250 (to brighten and clarify). This spritzes onto your cotton pad, from a nozzle.
£28 for 100ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘“Tonic” is a good word for this, because I found it a real pick me up; whether I used it first thing in the morning after another poor night’s sleep, or after a hot flush or before bed, the effect was the same: it made me feel better, both in terms of my skin appearance and mood’ • ‘After 28 days my skin has improved – fresher and more even; I don’t know whether this is coincidence or not but I have had no hormonal breakouts this month at all since using it. It has also very slightly improved my open pores’ • ‘I've always had a very tricky relationship with exfoliators ever since I tried the first generation of ruthless scrubs in the early 70s, which left my face bright red and feeling raw. This had me converted from Day One. It went on easily; a faint tingle the first few times I used it, but I could scarcely believe, as the days went by, how much of a difference it made to the clarity, brightness and general healthiness of my skin. I needed less moisturiser; my make-up went on smoothly and stayed all day - and I was told my skin was amazing!’ • ‘I was at a party recently and a fellow guest who trained as a beauty therapist said my skin looked amazing and asked what I was using’ • ‘It took a week or so of using this product daily before people started saying how well I looked – nice to hear when you’re coming up to 60, I'd say it's a near miracle worker it does everything it says on the box, and that someone who uses it no longer need to use filters on their social media photos!’
£28 for 100ml - click to buy
SILVER (JOINT) AWARD Medik 8 Press & Glow
Medik8 say this is ideal if you’re following a retinol routine, because the PHA – poly hydroxy acid, in the form of 5.5% gluconolactone – doesn’t sensitise skin or dry it out, as AHAs/BHAs can do. (The PHA is also said to improve absorption of topical retinoids and can even be used up to twice a day. ‘This is the acid toner without the “ouch”’, they promise. Alongside the PHA is a naturally exfoliating prickly pear extract. As the name says, you press the top of the bottle with a cotton pad – three or four times – to deliver the ideal dose of skin-brightening tonic from the bottle. Some quite significant, unexpected skin benefits, when you scroll through the comments.
£9 for 50ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘I like the fact this is so gentle and doesn’t sting; it made my skin feel like I had been for a “facial, after using, as if the dirt and dead skin of the day had been removed. A friend remarked on how well I looked’ • ‘I’ve used many exfoliators over the years with minimal effect, but my skin feels really clean, fresh and bright after using this – glowing! I’ve already bought another bottle!’ • ‘Skin looks fresher and brighter. Most significantly, since I was put through menopause after breast cancer treatment, I’d been getting absolutely loads of tiny wee skin tags and they annoy the living HELL out of me; they can also be easily irritated and a bit sore and frankly it's done my head in....and weirdly I noticed that the side I've been using this on has lessened the skin tags on that side! This VERY much impresses me, and I am a happy wee camper!’ • ‘My beautician noticed when I had some facial waxing done that the few small open pores or occasional blackheads I have were never there anymore, while my skin was more even and hydrated – so I would definitely add this into my skin rotation’ • ‘I haven't used a toner for some time on my skin, as couldn't find one that was not too drying – but this is the answer! Gentle daily exfoliation without stripping the skin evening the tone’ • ‘I had a scar from a picked spot on my forehead/centre of brow and it's visibly reduced while using this.’
£9 for 50ml - click to buy
SILVER (JOINT) AWARD Gatineau Exfoliating PHA+BHA Glow Tonique
Glow, Gatineau! The French brand also did well in the more ‘traditional-style’ exfoliator category, but their Beauty Award here is for a peach-toned ‘acid tonique’ to exfoliate, refine and hydrate via a 3% concentration of PHA (polyhydroxy acids) and 0.5% BHA (in this case, salicylic acid), plus hydrolysed jojoba esters and hyaluronic acid, for hydration, and an anti-free radical ingredient derived from nasturtium, which they suggest can help protect against damage from blue light. A flip-top bottle, this, for ease of use.
£34 for 200ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘Great product, so quick and easy to use. It smells divine: the burst of fruitiness you get when using is the icing on the cake for me’ • ‘An exfoliator in tonic form, quicker than using the usual wash-off type. The good-sized bottle lasts ages and has the bonus of smelling amazing’ • ‘As the exfoliator is so moisturising, I actually needed less of my products (serum, moisturiser). In fact, at times, I even skipped moisturiser and just applied my SPF after using this’ • ‘This product is going to be my discovery of 2022. It is fabulous. It doesn't sting, feels very gentle, is so hydrating, makes my skin soft and smooth, fades pigmentation and gives a megawatt glow. It is honestly one of the best exfoliators I have used’ • ‘A mild exfoliating toner which is like a glow in a bottle. On a coffee date my friends asked me if I had a facial as my face was literally glowing. Skin feels softer, looks brighter, pigmentation seems to be reduced’ • ‘This worked wonders. I actually felt that my skin was a lot clearer and smoother and was not worried about going out and not wearing any foundation Looks more radiant, brighter and even’ • ‘Cleared my skin, resulting in fewer breakouts – I didn't appear to get monthly breakouts. My complexion looks more even and radiant, and it has helped reduce the colouring to a stubborn patch of pigmentation on my jawline – it definitely needs a little less concealing’ • ‘Skin gets the benefit of being exfoliated and feeling/ looking great – more radiant, bright and even. Particularly good at keeping my skin hydrated’ • ‘Previous toners were evening only; any more often would cause irritation. But I can use this a.m. and p.m. without any issue.’
£34 for 200ml - click to buy
SILVER (JOINT) AWARD and BEST NATURAL Wild Science Lab Happy Balance Clarifying Essence
Do you suffer from spots or breakouts? (Or does someone you know?) We’d steer you to this, from a ‘clean and natural’, planet-conscious brand created by a husband-and-wife team, who did so well in 2022’s Awards and are back for more gongs this time around. Formulated ‘to smooth, refine and balance acne-prone skin’, its actives include a blend of AHA and BHA acids, to exfoliate the dead skin cells that can block pores and lead to breakouts and blackheads. The anti-inflammatory BHA ingredient, Wild Science Lab tell us, helps calm skin, aiming to reduce redness and pimples. Leaping Bunny approved, 100% vegan and certified by The Vegan Society, like all their products.
£32 for 110ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘My usual product is a very well-known glycolic toner and find this more gentle on my skin, with the same amount of brightness. It helped with a few breakouts. In fact, I used it on my teenage daughter's skin and it noticeably brightened her skin as well; it took me a few moments to figure out why her skin was glowing and I realised I had used this the night before. I would highly recommend this product to everyone, especially as a first-time skincare product for teenage skin’ • ‘My daughter complimented on my skin, saying it looked fresh and bright! I loved using this clarifying essence with a cotton wool pad that allowed me to pay particular attention to areas of regular breakouts; initial use was every other day as suggested on the pack, but I didn’t experience any sensitivity with regular use and could see a difference. Pores didn’t appear as obvious; my skin looks brighter and clearer with continued use’ • ‘A joy to use: a lovely clarifying product that will help remove grime and dead cells to leave you with a fresh complexion, less prone to blemishes’ • ‘My skin was clearer, smoother and cleaner from using this product; if you are suffering with blemishes, acne or big pores I would 100% try this product range’ • ‘Such a lovely toner; it doesn’t dry your skin out and it is definitely one I will use when my skin is bad; like a refreshing, cleansing burst for the skin. I’ve had comments pores are less visible and skin looks clear.’
£32 for 110ml - click to buy
SILVER (JOINT) AWARD PIXI Glow Tonic
This product is a bit of a legend in skincare circles, having had a huge boost from tell-it-like-it-is beauty editor Caroline Hirons when it first launched (yikes) a decade ago; it’s since become a global bestseller and – honestly, not an exaggeration – really did help establish ‘glow’ as a serious beauty goal, whatever your age. Designed for all skintypes, the peachy product offers a hefty 5% glycolic acid concentration, while the alcohol-free formulation is enriched with complexion-pepping red ginseng, along with soothing aloe vera. You tip it onto a pad.
£18 for 250ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘An excellent glycolic toner that's worth the money. It lasts for ages, clears your skin and keeps it clear!’ • ‘I've used this product for years and haven't been able to find a substitute. Any other glycolic toners I've tried always end up with my chin breaking out and quite angry spots; using this product improved my skin and I notice a difference when I stop using it e.g., if I'm travelling hand luggage only and can't take my big bottle with me’ • ‘A multi-use hero I can only use glycolic sporadically or it causes me to break out. HOWEVER, this little beauty has many uses beyond facial exfoliator – I read once that you can use it on your armpits, and it helps with discoloration and preventing odour, so I do that and it's excellent. I also use it on my feet regularly to exfoliate the bits that aren’t hard/rough and need a physical scrub; it also helps with odour and softening up the harder bits of skin. I’ve also discovered it’s good to add to body lotion for areas where your skin isn’t as even-toned as you would like’ • ‘My friends agree that my skin looks great with or without foundation now; skin is more even-toned and it’s reduced my milia’ • ‘My skincare specialist commented that my skin looked in good condition – smoother, fresher’ • ‘I think consistent use of this product helps in a lot of ways and it will always be something I go back to, now. Friends actually tell me that I look fresh-faced! I have recommended to a colleague, and she loves it, too.’
£18 for 250ml - click to buy
SILVER AWARD Ané Exfoliating Tri-Acid Toner
We have to share the beauty philosophy of this streamlined British beauty brand, because it so chimes with our own. ‘Ageing is the most natural beauty process in the world, and we are all ageing every single day. We can’t turn back the clock or stop the ageing process – or press pause on life. And neither do we want to. Every stage and age in life is there to celebrate. And every age, stage and chapter in life brings its own kind of beauty.’ As for this product? In an apothecary bottle, find an all-natural liquid exfoliant with 5% AHA, 2% Tranexamic acid, peptides and a plant adaptogenic complex, to support cellular all-important cell turnover without stripping or drying skin.
£35 for 100ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘I have seen results in such a short time, which is really mind blowing. I didn’t jump straight into using this product I built myself up. The second week, I had a few breakouts which I was expecting, but they cleared up pretty quickly. What I have noticed is that my skin has jumped back to how it was like 10 years ago with fewer fine lines and wrinkles on my forehead. I honestly couldn’t believe it; I went back through some photos on my phone and was really shocked at the difference a month could make. I honestly can’t wait to see what the difference will be with continued use’ • ‘This product took years off me. It smoothed my skin tone and removed some of the stages of ageing. I also think it helped with my skin absorbing other products to reduce some of the dryness’ • ‘I was very pleased with how gentle this was on my skin, no adverse effects whatsoever and my moisturiser worked well after using this. I was particularly pleased that it seemed to prevent the usual tendency to milia on my face’ • ‘I am very cautious about exfoliation and think that less is more! This helped with exfoliation without harshness – a little bottle of gold!’ • ‘An effective deep cleansing exfoliant for those who are looking for immediate results skin felt fresh alive pigmentation improved and skin looked fresh and radiant.’
£35 for 100ml - click to buy