Burn factor: 3/5
What it does: "This company has an incredible reputation," Mitan says of Biologique Recherche, a brand introduced in 1970 that has a cult following today. "They used exfoliator agents (AHAs, BHAs and PHAs) together with purifying lightening and antioxidant ingredients to maximize the potency of the formula."
TotalBeauty's take: So much has been said of this HG toner's strength and scent — it's a favorite product on Reddit's Skincare Addiction subreddit — that I literally held my breath when I applied it. Luckily, the funky scent dissipates rather quickly, and the tingle is so much milder than I anticipated.
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Burn factor: 1/5
What it does: Pixi's product, a longtime best-seller, is perhaps the most versatile of the new glow tonics, Mitan says. "The combination of plant extracts such as horse chestnut, ginger, witch hazel and amino acids such as alanine, glutamic acid and aspartic acid, is a good, natural approach."
TotalBeauty's take: We can't argue with this product's low price and it made our skin feel pristine and prepped for makeup. With 5 percent glycolic acid, this product made me feel just enough of a tingle to know it works.
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