COSRX One Step Pimple Clear Pad

Describe the brand in three words.

Korean. Affordable. Cute.

Snails

Who is it for?

Skins prone to breakouts, but everyone else too.

What’s in it?

Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Betaine Salicylate, 1, 2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Allantoin, Arginine, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil , Ethyl Hexanediol, Sodium Hydroxide

What's not in it? 

neat alcohol, witch hazel, vinegars

Possibly acne/allergy/troubling for some ingredients?
essential oils, salicylic acid

Suitable for pregnancy?
Yes

Natural? Organic? Man made? Vegan?
Man made

Tested on animals in home country/EU/sold in territories that require testing?
Unknown/No/Unknown
*The brand is from the Far East, I don't know if they retail in China mainland (in bricks and mortar stores) or just if they're cross-border (products shipped into China via mail order are exempt from the animal testing)

How does it smell?
Like alcohol

How do you use it?
Acid toning stage. Post cleanser.

Can it be taken around the eyes?
Orbital bone only, I wouldn't go inside the circle.

Best for winter or summer?
Either

How long did I test it for?
About a month, on and off

How much is it? /Size/Approximate cost per usage?
It varies country to country. It's £14.00 for 70 pads on UK Amazon, but it's supposed to be much cheaper. Amazon are not an official retailer. Neither is eBay (obviously), so tread carefully. I got mine in NY.

Works well with?
All the usual post-acid products like serums/oils.

What’s the website like?
Korean. Basic translation is good though. cosrx.kr

How’s the distribution? Available freely or limited?
They need a UK distributor by the look of it. It all appears to be grey market.

What’s good about them?
Well when they're available, they're affordable, they work well, there are 70 pads per tub, they're extremely cute (not that that should matter at all), they work, they contain amino acids and salicylic acid, meaning they penetrate, help kill off the bacteria and then supply the area with amino acids - which are the building blocks of collagen.

What’s not so good about them?
It's not readily available, that's the only negative to be honest.

Would I purchase/repurchase?
Yes

Do you need it?
If it's readily available to you, yes, invest. If not, stick with affordable ones in your country.

Similar products?

First Aid Beauty Pads
Nip & Fab Extreme 
Clinique 1.0 

More information on COSRX One Step Pimple Clear Pads is available here: cosrx.kr
Come on UK people - get on the case!





*This post contains some affiliate links. If you are happy to click on them and support the blog, thank you very much. If you would rather not, just google the product. It's all good.
See my full disclaimer here: http://bit.ly/1rpEmSq
The views expressed on this site are the author's own and are provided for informational purposes only. The author makes no warranties about the suitability of any product or treatment referenced or reviewed here for any person other than herself and any reliance placed on these reviews or references by you is done so solely at your own risk. Nothing on this site shall be construed as providing dermatological, medical or other such advice and you are always advised to seek the advice of a suitable professional should you have any such concerns.

NeoStrata Smooth Surface Daily Peel Pads

What is it?
'A daily home use peel is expertly formulated at an effective pH using a NeoStrata-developed delivery system for gentle yet optimal skin penetration.'

Aka - acid toner with a kick

Who is it for?
All skins but particularly oily/acne and sun-damaged, mature and/or dull.

What’s in it?
Aqua (Water), Glycolic Acid, Alcohol Denat., Ammonium Hydroxide, Arginine, Acetyl Tyrosinamide, Caprylyl Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin

What's not in it?
Parabens
Fragrance

Possibly acne/allergy/troubling for some ingredients?
Alcohol
Chlorphenesin

Natural? Organic? Man made? Vegan?
Man made/vegan

Tested on animals/sold in territories that advocate testing?
No/unknown (will confirm if I find out)

How does it smell?
Fragrance free

How does it feel on the skin?
Mild tingle, nothing unusual for acid

How do you use it?/Where to use in your routine?
NeoStrata recommend PM use only, after cleansing.

How long before you should see results?
Obviously it depends how long you have been using acids, so either immediately or over a short period of time - but acids are generally quick.

How long did I test it for?
A few months

How much is it? /Size/Approximate cost per usage?
£47.00 - £50.00 depending where you purchase - 36 pads so approx £1.30(ish) a pad.

What’s good about it?
NeoStrata are a professional brand only available through clinics and every product is backed up by a clinical, not consumer, trial.
These pads are the complete antithesis of something like the Juice Beauty pads previously reviewed here. The set comes with the liquid in its own bottle and the pads are dry and ready to be soaked, meaning it stays completely sterile before use and then the pads are well and truly soaked when you empty the 'juice' into the pads container.
The pads contain a 10% concentration of glycolic acid along with amino acids delivered via a patented system called Aminofill, amino acids basically being the building blocks of collagen and thus helping to smooth out the lines and wrinkles. These really do 'start' your routine once your face is clean.

What’s not so good about it?
They're not cheap, but the price is basically the only negative if you have budget concerns. This is by far the best acid packaging I've seen thus far. It's SO satisfying emptying the liquid onto the pads and shaking them around.

Works well with?
Any serum you follow this up with will penetrate better than without using an acid - but in all fairness you can say that about a lot of acids - that's rather the point of them.

What’s the website like?
This is where there is room for improvement. The downside of brands only being available in professional clinics/spas is that the websites are usually non-transactional and lacking information, and sadly, like Biologique Recherche and SkinCeuticals, this is the case with NeoStrata in the UK. The 'Where to Buy' page doesn't work for me, so I can't even help you with a few London addresses. Don't let that put you off though. There's a phone number. Call them and ask where you can buy because the products are brilliant. Properly brilliant. The exception to the website 'fail' is the 'Heritage' page, which goes into good detail about how the brand started, and why they lead the path in many ways.

Similar products?
Zelens PHA+ Pads
Dennis Gross MD Acids
Kate Somerville Clinic-To-Go Pads
Peter Thomas Roth Unwrinkle Pads


NeoStrata Smooth Surface Daily Peel Pads are approx £47/50.00 and more information on where to buy can be found here in the UK: www.neostrata.co.uk along with an online stockist here: askinology.com/neostrata

and here in the USA: www.neostrata.com - the USA website is good.

And if you are outside the UK and the USA go here: www.neostrata.com/restoftheworld

Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel Nightly Brightening Pads

What is it?
'Help brighten, smooth and tone while reducing the appearance of dark spots, fine lines and wrinkles. These luxurious, eco-friendly bamboo pads are saturated with antioxidant-rich organic fruit acids to brighten..'

Brightening Pads for PM use.

Who is it for?
Designed for all skin types but especially useful for those with issues relating to dull or discoloured skin.

What’s in it?
Organic juices of pyrus malus (organic apple juice)*, citrus medica limonum (organic lemon juice)*, aloe barbadensis (organic aloe juice)*, niacinamide (Vitamin B3), organic vegetable glycerin*, gluconolactone, polysorbate - 20, palmaria palmata (red dulse algae extract), saccharum officinarum (organic sugar cane extract)*, citrus medica limonum (lemon extract), citrus aurantium dulcis (orange fruit extract), pyrus malus (apple extract), aloe barbadensis (aloe extract), cucumis sativus (organic cucumber extract)*, sodium benzoate, caprylyl/ capryl glucoside, sodium hydroxide, camellia sinensis (organic black tea leaf extract)*, potassium sorbate, glycyrrhiza glabra (organic licorice root extract), arctostaphylos uva ursi (bearberry leaf extract), sodium hyaluronate

What's not in it?
parabens, petroleum, propylene or butylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfates, pesticides, phthalates, artificial dyes or synthetic fragrances

Possibly acne/allergy/troubling for some ingredients?
not really

Natural? Organic? Man made? Vegan?
All of the above except it's listed as vegetarian, not vegan.

Tested on animals/sold in territories that advocate testing?
No/No

How does it smell?
It doesn't really smell of anything, it's very faint.

How does it feel on the skin?/Absorption rate?
Although there are warnings about the tingle and the skin feeling 'flush' afterwards, I experienced none of that.

How do you use it?/Where to use in your routine?
Post-cleanse, pre-serums.

How long before you should see results?
Well it's supposed to be fairly quickly, but I didn't experience that.

How long did I test it for?
Two months, on and off.

How much is it? /Size/Approximate cost per usage?
£42.00 for 60 pads. £0.70 a pad

What’s good about it?
Not a lot. They contain niacinamide, which is an excellent ingredient, but how much of it is a guessing game.

What’s not so good about it?
I had really high hopes for Juice Beauty. Between the hype, Gwyneth, the seemingly never-ending good reviews in the press, I jumped in and bought these, the moisturiser and a starter kit. Being the acid freak that I am, I went with these first, almost as soon as I got back from LA in February.

In short, to make me 'tingle and flush', these would have to be thrown at my face from above and hit me from a great height. The pads (albeit eco-friendly bamboo ones) are a bit too flimsy, and the pot was almost dry when I opened it. I turned it upside down and left it overnight to try again the next day. No joy.
Maybe it's that there wasn't enough 'juice' in it to start with, or I got a bad batch, or maybe this is standard. In fairness, they are not sold as a traditional 'acid pad'. They are sold as nightly pads to use for brightening, but the descriptions on all their retailer websites use the word 'acids' freely, and mention that the pads are 'saturated'. No they're not. Sadly. Lesson to me to be even more anal than I already am when scanning ingredient lists.
Either way, these made no noticeable difference to my skin and were, in short, a very expensive pot of pads that I will keep and use to apply my acids that come in liquid form - you never know, there must be something on them and I am loathe to bin them. I may well add some P50 to them and leave them in the pot. P50-Pads-on-the-go. You heard it here first people. :)

Works well with?
Supposedly the rest of the range, but I tried that too and it made no difference.

Would I repurchase?
No.
What were your experiences with Juice Beauty? Please let me know. They're a big brand, it can't be all bad? Although it doesn't bode well for the huge amount of money I just spent on ordering GOOP from the US, as that brand was made by Juice Beauty too.

What’s the website like?
The website is excellent. It lists ingredients and you can shop by collection, concern or product category. From the selection I've tried thus far, at this point I would say the website is better than the products.

Similar products?
Every other post-cleansing/toner/acid pads/acid toner that has ever been on the blog performs better than these, although again, in the spirit of fairness, they don't market then as a solely 'acid' pad.
www.carolinehirons.com/acidtoning

Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel Nightly Brightening Pads are £42.00 or $45.00 for 60 pads and available from JuiceBeauty.com





Not a sponsored post. No affiliates. Full information can be found here: http://www.carolinehirons.com/p/about-me.html

Radical Skincare Age Defying Exfoliator Pads

What are they?

'Improve skin elasticity and bid a permanent farewell to dull skin with radical age defying exfoliating pads.'

Acid toning in a pad.

Who are they for?

All ages but particularly recommended for those worried about signs of ageing. Slightly more 'grown-up' skins. 

What’s in them?

Aqua (Water), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycolic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Coffea Arabica (Coffee) Seed Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Salicylic Acid, Centella Asiatica Extract, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Allantoin, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, Resveratrol, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Pca, Propylene Glycol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Citrus Reticulata (Tangerine) Peel Oil, Sodium Benzoate, Xanthan Gum, Glycerin, Lecithin, Limonene, Linalool

Possibly acne/allergy/troubling for some ingredients?

essential oils

alcohol - although most acid toners need either alcohol, witch hazel or vinegar for the acids. It is worth bearing in mind that alcohols used with acids have a different effect on the skin than astringent 'toners' where alcohol is the first or second ingredient, and you can literally feel your face drying out out as you swipe.

Natural? Organic? Man made? Vegan?

Man-made loveliness, vegan

Tested on animals/sold in territories that advocate testing?

No/No

How do you use them?

Apply after cleansing, all over the face, including eyelids and lips. Flip over, go again.

What’s good about them?

I love these pads. They contain the usual acids along with willow bark for lazy pores, Osilift for toning and tightening and witch hazel as a mild astringent. They give good sting, but no burn. They also have resveratrol and centella asiatica, two ingredients I always keep an eye out for. In a good way.

These pads are in my 'must-have' acid selection and I keep a back-up. I also love the ethos behind the brand, if you aren't aware of Radical start here: www.radicalskincare.com/our-story

What’s not so good about them?

They're £48.00 for 60, so not the cheapest option. However, if you are using them once a day it's £24.00 a month, which is more on a par with most of the others (mid-range and up) on the market. A lot of the other pads on the market come in packs of 30. Always look at quantity vs price. Skincare is no different from buying fruit. ;)

Similar products?

All the other pads. Zelens, First Aid Beauty, Malin & Goetz, PTR - all of them have something individual from these and are worth checking out. Acids and cleansers are what I keep the biggest collection of. They're like good music and excellent tea. You can never have enough. 

Radical Skincare Age Defying Exfoliator Pads are £48.00 from SpaceNK.com and $78.00 from Sephora.com

The Top 10: Acid Toners

I imagine most of you lovely readers will fully expect what products are in my Top choices so before I carry on - I couldn't stop at 5, hence there are 10. And I've linked the below to previous reviews from either here on the blog or YouTube. Do please give me a shout if there are any blatant omissions - these are in no particular order.

1. P50 - preferably 1970 formula - the original and still one of the best, in all its variants. Reviewed in more detail earlier this week on here. Good for all skins, especially older.
2. Dennis Gross MD Alpha Beta Pads - these, it has to be said, are my absolute first choice for travel. Due to the disposable packaging they can be purchased in and the quick two-step process, they are perfect for using on the go - and brilliant too. Another one that is technically good for all skin types but will show best results on older skins.
3. Pixi Glow Tonic - the best affordable option, along with First Aid Beauty and one for all skins. A great starter option for younger skins and AM tone for older skins.
4. First Aid Beauty Radiance Pads - I use these most in the mornings, usually if I'm doing the school run because they are so easy to use. Also one of the more affordable options at around £20.00.
5. Peter Thomas Roth Unwrinkle Pads - Again for older skins, these are great for using in the evenings before a particularly active serum.
6. Zelens PHA Pads - Glycolic-free for those with problems using that particular acid, don't be fooled by the lack of glycolic. These pack a punch with PHA acids and make it easier for the skin to stay hydrated after use.
7. Kate Somerville Clinic To Go - a peel in a pad. Lush, travel well, work brilliantly, would be in my top 2 for travel except they are harder to get hold of in the UK so I have to use them really sparingly. 
8. Clearasil Daily Clear Superfruits Refreshing Pads - the real budget choice. A few pounds and a fine job for your money. If you are a teen and have a real budget, start with these.
9. Clinique Mild Clarifying Lotion - salicylic acid only here, so again, if you suffer with a few spots, or simply cannot use other acids, this is perfect - it's also alcohol-free for those of you with issues with that.
10. Clarins Gentle Exfoliating Brightening Toner - Still lush and in my arsenal, this is better used a few times a week than twice a day.

That, by the way, is still my advice. Try and buy 2, preferably 3 acid products. A strong one for evenings, a lighter one for days and one more to mix it up. Acid toners are literally like taking your face to the gym. Different strengths and different acids do different things.

Lactic (AHA) - resurfacing, great for dehydrated and dry skin.

Glycolic (AHA) - stimulating for better collagen production, resurfacing.

Malic (AHA) - resurfacing, good for boosting collagen production

Salicylic (BHA) - best for spots/acne. Surprisingly gentle.

PHA's (Poly hydroxy acids) - best for those in need of hydration and deep penetration of product afterwards.



Before I am asked: Liquid Gold by Alpha-H is not a toner - it will be in nighttime treatment lists!

FAQs

As the blog nears the end of it's 5th year - a lot of lovely new readers *waves* are joining the ranks and I am now regularly being asked a lot of questions of a similar vein.

I don't mind at all - having so many readers is a privilege. I did think however, that it could save you time and enable me to answer more questions if I had a page for 'Frequently Asked Questions'. So, as you ask them, I'll answer them and then add them to the page. A lot of you raise the issue of FAQs regularly on my social media pages so feel free to prompt me when you see them.

My most asked question recently is along the lines of:

'Can I use retinols after/alongside P50/acid toners/Liquid Gold?'

In essence, yes, but you may need to neutralise the acids, hence the spritz (stage 2 toner in my routine).

Example: Peter Thomas Roth Unwrinkle Pads recommend using for anything up to 3 minutes then rinsing the face with water. These pads though, are at a 20% strength. The second ingredient is glycolic acid, the fifth is lactic. They're among the stronger ones on the market.

P50, First Aid pads etc etc are nowhere near this strength. 

I would go by your knowledge of the product versus the strength of the vitamin A - i.e. if it's prescription strength, don't go using it with PTR pads and no rinsing in between. 

Pixi Glow Tonic/FAB pads however, would, in theory, be fine, especially if followed by a neutralising floral water/spritz/traditional toner on cotton pad.

I wouldn't use LG under retinols. Liquid Gold is not a toner. Alpha-H recommend using Liquid Gold on its own in the evening, although I always have to add a light hydrating moisturiser afterwards, otherwise I feel dehydrated.

The key thing to remember is that formulations have come such a long way since AHA and BHA's were introduced. A lot of the old scaremongering around retin-a and acids is outdated - Kate Somerville even makes a retinol product delivered in a glycolic base formula (she doesn't recommend using it after ExfoliKate Intensive however, you can have too much of a good thing).

Feel free to start asking/reminding me about my most FAQs in the comments. I can already see the mineral oil question on the horizon. ;)

Acid Toning Part One

Oh it was always going to be a long one wasn't it?

If you are a new reader (WELCOME!) you can read more about the importance of acids on the cheat sheets over there----->

The rest of you will be au fait with my thinking so let's crack on with the products in Part 1.

P50/V/W/1970 Biologique Recherche - Lactic, usnic, salicylic and ascorbic acids. Niacinamide - brill. The first and still far and away one of the best. Around £50.00

Bravura Purifying Calendula Toner - 10% glycolic, 3% lactic. Lots of info on the website - the PH is 3.8. Marvellous! And it WAS £8.00 and 39p. A great budget buy.

Cane & Austin Retexturizing Treatment Pads - 10% glycolic, retinyl palmitate and ubiquinone - great ingredients designed for anti-ageing and pigmentation. (Also available from Beauty Bay - not just SpaceNK as I say in the video)

Colbert MD Intensify Facial Pads - Bromelain (pineapple enzymes), lactic acid and glucosamine. Exfoliating discs designed to mimic the effects of microdermabrasion. Glycolic-free. Beautiful product.

Colbert MD Tone Control - These are aimed at damage caused by pigmentation and contain inflacin (massive anti-inflammatory), Phytomoist Qusome (400 times more active than sodium hyaluronate), CoQ10 and ubiquinone. perfect for an older skin plagued by/worried about pigmentation.

Dennis Gross M.D. Alpha Beta Peel Original Formula - Disc One contains glycolic, lactic, malic and salicylic acids, genistein. Disc Two contains green tea extract, phospholipids and sodium bicarbonate. Gentle enough for every day use without losing efficacy. 

Dennis Gross M.D. Extra Strength Alpha Beta Peel - Disc One contains glycolic, malic, lactic, citric, mandelic and salicylic acids. Disc Two follows up with retinol, genistein, ubiquinone and resveratrol. Hardcore. Brilliant for anti-ageing.

Dennis Gross M.D. Alpha Beta Glow Pads - contain vitamin D, glycolic and lactic acid along with DHA to both be anti-ageing and impart a glow.
N'est pas que le génie ?

Environ AVST Toner - niacinamide and lactic acid make this another glycolic-free option. The Environ website is awful so this links to the UK distributor which carries more info.

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads - Affordable, gentle enough for daily use. Lactic and glycolic in an aloe vera base. One of my most-used products this year.

Thanks for watching. Part Two is coming.

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads

First Aid Beauty is an American brand that is relatively under the radar. These pads however, deserve more attention.

Facial Radiance Pads are a good starting point for people a little scared of starting the exfoliating acid stage of my suggested routines or alternatively, make a great additional product to include in your collection enabling you to switch it up a little on a daily basis.

Who are they for?
Anyone.

What skin type?
All.

What's in them?
Water/Eau, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Water, Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Camellia Sinensis (White Tea) Leaf Extract, Chrysanthemum Parthenium (Feverfew) Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Extract, Citrus Nobilis (Mandarin Orange) Fruit Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Phyllanthus Emblica (Indian Gooseberry) Fruit Extract, Polysorbate 20

What's not in them?
Parabens, alcohol, useless nonsense

What's good about them?
They're very gentle. I'd give them a 'sting' factor of 1/5. I use the word 'sting' not to make you think your face will fall off - just to compare them to say a P50 - which would be 4/5 - which is entirely altogether unhelpful if you've not tried that either. *makes note to do next post on strengths of acid toners*
I will always have these in my collection now.

When do I use them?
At the traditional 'toner' stage. After cleansing.

How much are they?
Around £20 UK - $30 US. Yes, my lovely US readers - these are easily accessible to you. :)

For more information on FAB Facial Radiance Pads in the US: www.firstaidbeauty.com
and in the UK they are available from Feel Unique and Beauty Bay.