Review: Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner

So today I am going to do a review on Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner.
If you're familiar with beauty community in the UK, this product is quite a sensation, as again highly recommended by skincare expert blogger Caroline Hirons.

Clarins claims: 

A fresh, fluid exfoliating lotion that brightens, smooths and softens skin. Regular exfoliation helps to strenghten the skin's resistance to wrinkles and maintain the balance between preventing a build-up of dead cells and encouraging cell renewal. 

Price: £25.00 for 125 ml

Ingredient:

Tamarind fruit acids: eliminates impurities and dead skin cells, boosts cellular renewal.White Nettle extract : tightens pores. 

That is literally what is written on website. You can check out here and here 

So this is known to contain both AHA and BHA; glycolic acid, tartaric acid and salicylic acid.

Personal experience: 

I use this during acid toner stage which usually right after cleansing.
It is an amber-tinge thin liquid/water-like. Smell nice, typical skincare smell.

This felt a bit 'off' on my skin, like this slippery feel I don't know how to describe...

It actually reminds me of how I felt using most drugstore pimple gel. This  may be due to either these two things or both concurrently; the salicylic acid or the alcohol.

Now being acne prone, I am familiar with salicylic acid way before it become the BHA toner craze like nowadays. I usually don't do well with salicylic acid acne products, hence why I use benzoyl peroxide for my acne and usually prefer glycolic for my exfoliation.

Fast forward to 3 years ago, I have used things like Origins Super Spot Remover and Effaclar Duo AI which contain salicylic acid and Ren Clarimatte contain salicin (willow bark) which salicylic acid derived from, which makes me think maybe certain salicylic acid is okay . That is how I end up trying this after learning how salicylic acid penetrates deeper for pores clearing, but I don't think this salicylic acid works for me. 

There is also an issue with the alcohol content in this, but as Caroline Hirons says it is counteract well by the glycerin. Well I personally don't felt like I was stripped dry by it. 

Hmmm can't really put a finger on this.

I do felt like I need to use more, as it dried so fast on cotton pad. I used REN Clarimatte daily before, compare to that, this felt slightly drier. Even the cotton pad used dried weirdly.

Actually, I was hoping this to be as strong as Pixi Glow Tonic, to be used a few times a week as the brand Clarins suggests, but it's milder than I expect.

Clarins 'How to apply':

Apply once or twice a week to a thoroughly clean face and neck with a cotton pad soaked in lotion. Avoid the eye contour area. Wait one minute before completing with your regular skin care routine.  

This is still good even for everyday use but I prefers REN Clarimatte Clarifying Toner. 

Overall rating: 3.5/5

(Still good but I would not repurchase)

Those felt Pixi Glow too harsh can try this Clarins toner. 

Those who couldn't agree with Clarins toner like I did could try Ren Clarimatte.

Note: I wore this twice everyday, day and evening. Towards the end I practically 'soaked' my cotton pad because I want to finish this faster to 'throw' it out (it's quite expensive). But I have never felt my skin becomes too dry or overexfoliated, and I do wear sunscreen everyday as usual, and thankfully there is no reaction. 

I am just saying don't be scared by it, but definitely don'follow my method. Lol.