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Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA+BHA Pore-Tight Toner combines active pore-tightening ingredients with hydrating components for gentle yet effective results. The main reason I bought this toner is to help with pore size (the actual size cannot be altered, but the appearance can be improved). The toner is available on the brand’s official website and on Amazon.
The opaque, pinkish liquid is slightly thicker than water and very fragrant. It smells, expectedly, of watermelon. I enjoy the scent, but if you are into unscented or very mildly fragranced products, then this one isn’t for you. The bottle is glass.
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA+BHA Pore-Tight Toner is advertised as being suitable for all skin types, including sensitive, but I would urge you to patch test first, especially since there are exfoliating acids and fragrance in the formula.
How to use:
Apply after cleansing
Don’t rub the skin - gently pat in instead
Follow with the rest of your routine (serum, moisturizer, SPF if using in the morning)
This can also be used as a spot treatment on areas of concern
I use this toner several times a week in the evening. After application, I allow it to sit on the skin for a few minutes before moving on to the next steps. BHA can cause skin purging, which may last 4-6 weeks. I did not have this experience, or if I did it was mild enough to not draw my attention. I’m also not new to BHA. But it’s something to keep in mind if you have never used BHA before. Skin purging appears as a breakout when using products that speed up cellular turnover, for example exfoliating acids or retinoids.
My impressions
When I was a teenager, I had blue-magenta hair, tons of earrings (including a tongue ring), ripped up jeans with safety pins down the sides (don’t ask) - I was a budding anarchist. That inner rebel is still alive and well, so I really didn’t want to like the brightly colored, fruity, oh-so-popular Glow Recipe. I always suspected the brand to be over-hyped.
So far, I’m ashamed to admit that I absolutely love it. I looooove it. I love every single thing (three in total) that I’ve had. Dang. May as well go buy a pink dress now. Kidding, kidding… I’ll stick to my Nintendo t-shirts.
This toner is wonderful. I love the thicker texture and the watermelon smell. I started slowly, watching for any negative reactions, and eventually worked my way up to using it every other day. I could probably do it every day, but I see benefits with every other or every two days, so I stick with that schedule. My pores are visibly smaller and more clear. I’m a recovering skin picker, and it’s sad (and great) to say that there’s nothing to squeeze out anymore! The sebaceous filaments are a normal part of skin functioning, but mine are definitely barely visible now and do not have the little black dots at the ends.
I highly recommend this toner to people who can tolerate or enjoy a bit of fragrance in their skincare. The application experience and the results are lovely.
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Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA+BHA Pore-Tight Toner ingredients: Opuntia Ficus-Indica (Cactus) Extract, Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Hyaluronic Acid, Gluconolactone, Sodium Polyglutamate, Betaine Salicylate, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Lactobacillus/Watermelon Fruit Ferment Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugarcane) Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Brassica Oleracea Capitata (Cabbage) Leaf Extract, Ipomoea Batatas Root Extract, Sorbitan Oleate, Levulinic Acid, Sodium Levulinate, Fragrance/Parfum