Instytutum Resurfacing Glow Toner – Three times is a charm

You may have noticed that over the last few posts, I have changed my „ingredients“ setup quite a bit.

I tried typing things out in a continous text, focusing on the ingredients I thought important. Much more enjoyable to read, but too little information.

I tried listing every ingredient, sorted by “Favorable”, “Filler” and “Unfavorable”. Made the blog posts very long. Plus, I am still unsure what is supposed to be a filler ingredient?

 

Instytutum Toner

 

And now, doing my very best venturing out into unknown html territory, trying to write out all the ingredients, but hiding them behind a click. That way the post looks less intimidating, but the information is still there for you if you want it.

So there you go: Instytutum Resurfacing Glow Toner (PR-Sample) – the third design attempt. And, funnily enough, my third daily glycolic acid to review on the blog (See number one here and number two here). If that isn´t coincidence!

 

What Instytutum claims

This effective toner gently removes dead surface skin cells to reveal a visibly younger looking complexion. Glycolic acid fuses with soothing chamomile extract to gently resurface and comfort the skin, while hydrating provitamin B5, allantoin and our advanced Botanical Soothing Protector promote moisture. Skin looks rejuvenated and glowing; the skin texture becomes refined, and the complexion becomes even-toned.

 

Facts

Prize and size

One bottle, white and silver and looking all posh, retails for 59 $ (55 €) on the website here and contains 130 ml. Which is a generous amount, after three months of using it only a third of the liquid is gone.

 

Texture and smell

A clear liquid, very runny that faintly smells like glue. But very faintly, I really have to try to smell anything, and it is not a scent that lingers.

 

Application and effects

You can either use it on a cotton pad or poured into the palms of your hand and patted on, which is how I prefer to use it. That way I don´t create any additional waste. To my acid experienced skin there is no sting or irritation. As with any gentle acids I did not notice a dramatic result, but I have used it for upkeep and it did an amazing job at keeping my skin soft and even. It could be used morning or night (or both), I tend to use it in the mornings. Oh, and as with any acid, stay clear of your eye area.

 

 

 

Favorable ingredients
  • Butylene Glycol: Humectant (draws water to the skin)
  • Propanediol: Humectant, increases acid penetration
  • Glycolic Acid: AHA, exfoliates
  • All ingredients below this line are less than 1%
  • Glycerin: Hydrating
  • Panthenol: anti-inflammatory, emollient (helps skin to lock in moisture)
  • Saccharide Isomerate: Emollient, binds to lysine in stratum corneum, leading to long-lasting moisturization
  • Allantoin: Soothing
  • Polyglyceryl-5 Oleate: Emollient
  • Glyceryl Caprylate: Emollient
  • Niacinamide: Vitamin B3, fights free radicals, combats hyper pigmentation
  • Tocopheryl Acetate: Vitamin E, antioxidant
  • Chamomilla recutita flower extract: Soothing
  • Citric Acid: AHA (in this concentration most likely preservative)
  • Cyperus Rotundus Roote Extract: Brightening (very limited research, mainly based on ayurvedic claims)
  • Honeysuckle flower extract: Antiseptic, soothing
  • Xanthium Sibiricum Fruit Extract: Soothing
  • Sodium Succinate: antioxidant
  • Retinyl Palmitate: Vitamin A precursor
  • Sunflower Seed Oil:Rich in Vitamin E and linoleic acid, anti-inflammatory
  • BHT: Antioxidant
Filler ingredients
  • Sodium Hydroxide: pH adjuster (can be irritating)
  • Phenoxyethanol: Preservative
  • Potassium Sorbate: Preservative
  • Caprylyl/Capryl Wheat Bran/ Straw Glycosides: Surfactant
  • Chlorphenesin: Preservative
  • Xanthan Gum: improves viscosity
  • Fusel Wheat Bran/Straw glycosides: Surfactant
  • Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate: Cleansing
  • Sodium Citrate: pH adjuster
  • Sodium Benzoate: preservative
  • Succinic Acid: pH adjuster
Unfavorable ingredients
  • Fragrance (perfume): less than 1%

 

 

 

Does it live up to its claims?

Yes.

It is a gentle daily exfoliant that is paired with soothing and hydrating ingredients to reveal even, plump and bright skin.

 

Would I repurchase?

I am not sure.

You see, I really love it.

But among my three gentle exfoliants reviewed, it only comes second. The only advantage it for me personally has above the pixi Glow Tonic is the added Niacinamide (one of my favorite ingredients), but that does not justify the immense difference in price (as a comparison, the Glow Tonic is 250 ml for 30 € here).

The packaging though, silver and white, is a beauty on my bathroom counter. That should not influence my decision of course. Really. It should not. But it might.

 

Who do I recommend it to?

People with dry or easily irritated skin on the hunt for a daily AHA product.

And of course people that admire the posh silver and white packaging as much as I do. Perfect for Instagram!

 

But back to the new layout: Which one do you prefer?

 

Pin me for later

 

Oh, and in case you missed it, I uploaded a new Vlog to You Tube yesterday:

Aktivieren Sie JavaScript um das Video zu sehen.
https://youtu.be/L9XH7kkbngk

 

The items in this post are PR samples. I was under no obligation to write about them and all opinion expressed are honest any my own. Links may be affiliate links via Skimlinks. 
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