Pixi Tonics: Which One Is Right For Your Skin?

What it is: A soothing toner that promises to calm redness and give thirsty skin a moisture boost.

Key ingredients: This toner is loaded with soothing ingredients, like green tea, aloe vera, and chamomile that calm down inflammation and redness. Plus, glycerin and hyaluronic acid draw moisture into your skin, keeping it soft and plump. So far, so good. But why, oh why, did Pixi have to add so much rose water?! It’s the second ingredient on the list, and its fragrant compounds can irritate sensitive skin. Yep, the very skin this toner is supposed to soothe. *sighs*

Texture: Super light, watery, and refreshing. No sticky mess here.

What does it do? It gives your skin a quick hydration boost and helps calm mild redness. Don’t expect it to get rid of pimples, blackheads or dark spots. That’s not what it’s for.

Does it work? It can, if your skin gets along with rose water. The hydrating ingredients do their job, and the soothing extracts are a nice bonus. But if your skin throws a tantrum at the slightest hint of fragrance, all that rose water could make redness worse instead of better. Bit of a gamble, isn’t it?

Who should use it: Normal to dry skin that needs extra hydration and isn’t bothered by fragrant extracts.

Who should NOT use it: Very sensitive skin or anyone who reacts to fragrance. And if your moisturiser already does the job, keep your £18. You don’t need this extra step.

Related: 9 Soothing Ingredients To Calm Down Irritated Skin

What it is: A Vitamin C toner that promises brighter skin, fewer dark spots, and a healthy glow. Sounds lovely. Does it deliver? That’s another story.

Key ingredients: Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, a stable form of Vitamin C that fights free radicals and helps brighten skin. Pixi has also thrown in Vitamin E and ferulic acid for extra antioxidant protection. But then Pixi goes and ruins it. *sighs* This tonic is loaded with every citrus extract you can think of… They may smell lovely, but they can seriously irritate your skin. And irritation can make dark spots worse. Exactly what you want from a brightening toner. Not.

Texture: Clear, watery, and lightweight.

What does it do? In theory, it hydrates skin, fights free radicals, and helps brighten dark spots. In practice, you’re getting a weaker form of Vitamin C drowning in a cocktail of potentially irritating extracts.

Does it work? Why would I recommend this mess?! You’re getting a Vitamin C derivative that works less well than pure Vitamin C, packaged alongside a ridiculous number of fragrant extracts that could undo the very benefits you’re paying for. There are plenty of better-formulated Vitamin C products out there that don’t make your skin jump through hoops to get results.

Who should use it: No one. Seriously.

Who should NOT use it: Everyone, especially sensitive skin and anyone struggling with hyperpigmentation. This is one Vitamin C toner I’d leave firmly on the shelf.

Related: The Complete Guide To Vitamin C: What It Is, What It Does & How To Use It

What it is: A hydrating, soothing toner that promises to calm sensitive skin and keep it soft and moisturised.

Key ingredients: Chamomile, green tea and oats have soothing properties that help calm redness and irritation. Plus, glycerin and hyaluronic acid attract moisture into the skin, while jojoba oil and fatty acids help keep it there. Sounds like sensitive skin heaven, right? Well, it would be if Pixi had stopped there. But no. They had to throw in orange, mandarin, lemon, lavender, clove and rose extracts. Seriously, Pixi?! You’re making a toner for sensitive skin, not a botanical perfume! These fragrant extracts can trigger irritation and allergic reactions.

Texture: A lightweight, milky liquid that feels more moisturising than your average watery toner.

What does it do? It gives skin an extra dose of hydration and helps soften dry patches. The soothing ingredients may help calm mild redness, too (that the irritants may likely cause!).

Does it work? It can hydrate skin, sure. But that’s not enough to make it a good toner. The whole point of Pixi Milky Tonic is to soothe sensitive skin. So why pack it with ingredients that could irritate it?! All those lovely soothing ingredients don’t cancel out the risk of irritation. It’s like putting out a fire with one hand while pouring petrol on it with the other. Hard pass.

Who should use it: No one. You can hydrate and soothe your skin without gambling on a cocktail of fragrant extracts.

Who should NOT use it: Everyone, especially sensitive, reactive or redness-prone skin. There are plenty of gentler hydrating products out there.

Related: 7 Irritating Natural Ingredients Lurking In Your Skincare Products

What it is: An anti-aging toner that promises to fight wrinkles, fade dark spots and turn back the clock. If only it were that easy…

Key ingredients: Retinol boosts collagen, smooths wrinkles and fades dark spots. Pixi has also thrown in a Vitamin C derivative and antioxidants to fight premature aging, plus glycerin, panthenol and hyaluronic acid to hydrate skin. What’s not to love? Quite a lot, actually. For starters, they put this notoriously light-sensitive ingredients in a SEE-THROUGH bottle that makes them go bad faster. Why, Pixi, WHY?! To add insult to injury, the formula contains fragranced extracts that can irritate sensitive skin. It’s like Pixi went out of its way to sabotage a perfectly good anti-aging ingredient.

Texture: Watery, lightweight and cooling.

What does it do? It hydrates skin and gives it a dose of antioxidants. The retinol may help with fine lines and dark spots over time, but there’s no way to tell how much you’re getting or how well it’s holding up in that bottle.

Does it work? Maybe a little. But why settle for maybe when you can buy a proper retinol serum?

Who should use it: Retinol newbies on a tight budget who are curious to try it and don’t react to fragrant extracts. Keep it in a dark cupboard.

Who should NOT use it: Anyone serious about tackling wrinkles and dark spots, or with sensitive skin. There are better retinol products that don’t come with all this unnecessary baggage.

Related: The Complete Guide To Retinol: What It Is, What It Does & How To Do It

What it is: An exfoliating toner that promises brighter, smoother skin and a healthy glow. This is the toner that made Pixi famous. But does it deserve all the hype?

Key ingredients: The star here is 5% glycolic acid, an exfoliant that dissolves the glue holding dead skin cells together, so they can finally get off your face and reveal the brighter, smoother skin underneath. It also helps fade dark spots and gives dry skin a little extra hydration. Not bad, huh? I could do without witch hazel and fragrance, though.

Texture: Lightweight, watery and quick to absorb. No greasy or sticky residue.

What does it do? It removes dead skin cells, smooths rough texture, brightens dull skin and helps fade dark spots over time. It’s particularly handy for dry skin that’s looking a little worse for wear. But don’t expect it to unclog pores or get rid of blackheads. That’s salicylic acid’s job.

Does it work? Yes! Finally, a Pixi Tonic that actually earns its place in your skincare routine. Glycolic acid is a proven exfoliant, and 5% is a decent concentration for getting smoother, brighter skin without going overboard.

Who should use it: Dry, dull skin looking for an effective exfoliant on a budget.

Who should NOT use it: Oily skin struggling with clogged pores and blackheads. A salicylic acid exfoliant is a better fit. Sensitive skin should also skip it.

Related: Pixi Glow Tonic VS The Ordinary Glycolic 7% Toning Solution: Which One Is Better?

What it is: An antioxidant toner that promises to fight premature aging, brighten dull skin and keep it hydrated. Sounds like a lot for one little toner, doesn’t it?

Key ingredients: Niacinamide and Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (a Vitamin C derivative) help fight free radicals and brighten skin, while glycerin and hyaluronic acid give thirsty skin a moisture boost.

Texture: Lightweight and watery.

What does it do? It hydrates skin and gives it some antioxidant protection. It may help brighten dull skin over time, too. But don’t expect it to magically erase wrinkles or dark spots.

Does it work? Yes! This is one of the best Pixi Tonics in the range. It gives thirsty skin a lovely moisture boost, leaving it softer, smoother and plumper. Plus, you get some extra antioxidant goodness to help fight premature aging. And the best part? No added fragrance or irritating essential oils to spoil the party. Finally, Pixi! A well-formulated hydrating toner that does what it promises. This one gets my thumbs up! Just store it somewhere dark or the see-through packaging may compromise their effectiveness.

Who should use it: Normal to dry or dehydrated skin that wants a little extra hydration.

Who should NOT use it: If you’re already using antioxidants in your routine, you don’t need this too.

Related: What Are The Best Antioxidants In Skincare?

What it is: An exfoliating toner that promises to unclog pores, fight blackheads and keep breakouts at bay.

Key ingredients: Finally, Pixi has put salicylic acid in a toner for oily, acne-prone skin! Unlike glycolic acid, salicylic acid is oil-soluble, so it can get inside pores and help clear out the gunk clogging them. Glycolic and lactic acids exfoliate the skin’s surface, making it smoother and brighter. Plus, aloe vera, glycerin and centella asiatica help keep skin hydrated and soothe irritation. And the cherry on top? No added fragrance or irritating essential oils. Hallelujah!

Texture: Lightweight, watery and refreshing.

What does it do? It exfoliates skin, helps keep pores clear, reduces blackheads and smooths rough texture. Over time, it may also help fade the dark marks pimples leave behind.

Does it work? Yes! This is exactly the kind of toner I’d recommend for oily, acne-prone skin. It tackles clogged pores and dull skin at the same time, without throwing a bunch of irritating fragrances into the mix.

Who should use it: Oily and combination skin prone to blackheads, clogged pores and occasional breakouts.

Who should NOT use it: Very sensitive or irritated skin that can’t tolerate exfoliating acids. If your skin barrier is already struggling, give it a break before adding more exfoliation.

Related: The Best Skincare Routine For Oily Skin

What it is: An anti-aging toner that promises plumper, firmer skin and fewer wrinkles. Sounds like a facelift in a bottle. If only…

Key ingredients: First things first: despite the name, there’s NO collagen in here. Instead, Pixi uses peptides that are supposed to boost collagen production and smooth wrinkles. The problem? The evidence that these particular peptides can do that is pretty thin. Glycerin and betaine attract moisture into your skin, making it look temporarily plumper. Lovely, but let’s not confuse hydration with turning back the clock. And then there’s the botanical circus. Lavender, bergamot oil, rosemary, sage… Did Pixi raid the aromatherapy aisle?! These fragrant extracts can irritate sensitive skin.

Texture: Lightweight, watery and refreshing.

What does it do? It hydrates skin, making it look a little plumper and fine lines less noticeable. But don’t expect it to firm sagging skin or rebuild lost collagen.

Does it work? If all you want is hydration, sure. But if you’re buying this because it says COLLAGEN on the bottle, you’re in for a disappointment. The peptides don’t have the same solid research behind them as retinol, and the fragrant botanical cocktail adds an unnecessary risk of irritation. All this fuss for something a basic hydrating serum can do without the drama? No, thanks.

Who should use it: No one. There are better hydrating toners without all the irritating extras.

Who should NOT use it: Everyone, especially sensitive skin and anyone hoping to get rid of wrinkles. Spend your money on a retinol serum instead.

Related: Do Peptides Really Work? (Here’s What Science Says)