Is Bravura London Revitalising Ginseng Toner With 5% Glycolic Acid a dupe for Pixi Glow Tonic? This cult toner is flying off the shelves faster than the brand can restock it, leaving many a beauty junkie wondering if they’ll ever be able to try it. While you’re waiting, why not track down its dupe? Bravura London Revitalising Ginseng Toner With 5% Glycolic Acid promises the same benefits as Pixi Glow Tonic at a fraction of the cost. Curious? Read on:
Which Ingredients Do The Pixi And Bravura Exfoliating Toners Have In Common?
GLYCOLIC ACID TO EXFOLIATE SKIN
I don’t use a toner anymore, but if I did, I’d definitely choose one with glycolic acid. One of my favourite ingredients, glycolic acid is an exfoliant on steroids. It dissolves the “glue” that holds old, dull, and rough skin cells together, allowing them to slough off, and reveal the brighter and smoother skin underneath.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Glycolic acid also moisturizes skin through a humectant mechanism (attracts water from the environment into it), In high doses, it boosts collagen production!
The catch? Glycolic acid can be irritating in high doses and at the wrong ph. To fix this, Bravura London has neutralised some of the glycolic acid with ammonium hydroxide. Studies shown that’s still effective. But, if you ask, I’d just have added less in the first place.
Related: The Complete Guide To Glycolic Acid: What It Is, What It Does & How To Use It
ALOE VERA TO SOOTHE SKIN
Who doesn’t love good aloe vera? Its juice has been used for centuries to treat wounds and soothe irritations. It’s quite moisturizing too. According to a 2006 study, a lotion “with 0.25% and 0.50% (w/w) of Aloe vera extract increased the water content of the stratum corneum […] possibly through a humectant mechanism”.
Of course, there’s a catch here too. The type used in skincare is 99.5% water! All its beneficial goodies are in the other 0.5%! That’s why it should be used very generously in skincare products. Luckily, it tops the list of both toners.
Related: The Complete Guide To Aloe Vera In Skincare: What It Is, What It Does, And How To Use It
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WITCH HAZEL TO IRRITATE SOOTHE SKIN
If there’s a skincare ingredient that confuses me, it’s witch hazel. I still can’t decide if it’s good, bad, or both. Studies have shown that it has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can soothe skin and help keep premature aging a bay. That’s good, right?
Problem is, its antioxidants (they’re called tannins) can, in high amounts, irritate skin. And often, witch hazel is prepared in alcohol, which can be drying. That’s not so good, is it? So, what’s a girl to do? I prefer to avoid it, just to be on the safe side. If you have sensitive skin, I recommend you do the same.
Related: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Witch Hazel In Skincare
HEXYL NICOTINATE TO INCREASE BLOOD FLOW
It’s not often I come across an ingredient I hadn’t heard about before. Hexyl Nicotinate had that honour. When researching this post, I’ve discovered it’s a vasodilator that “causes the blood vessels near to the surface of the skin to increase in diameter and to increase their blood flow.”
I’m not really sure what the point of including it in skincare products is. It’s unlikely to do either much good or harm in the small amount used here. Unless your skin is super sensitive. Then, it may irritate it.
What Else Is In The Bravura And Pixi Exfoliating Toners?
NOTE: The colours indicate the effectiveness of an ingredient. It is ILLEGAL to put toxic and harmful ingredients in skincare products.
- Green: It’s effective, proven to work, and helps the product do the best possible job for your skin.
- Yellow: There’s not much proof it works (at least, yet).
- Red: What is this doing here?!
BRAVURA LONDON REVITALISING GINSENG TONER WITH 5% GLYCOLIC ACID
- Deionised Water: Purified water that serves as the base solvent for all other ingredients. It’s free of minerals and impurities that could interfere with product stability.
- Propanediol: A plant-derived humectant and solvent that helps other ingredients penetrate the skin while providing moisture. It’s gentler than traditional glycols and enhances the product’s texture.
- Potassium Alum: An astringent mineral salt that helps tighten pores and control oil production. It provides antimicrobial properties and can help reduce inflammation.
- Hexylene Glycol: A solvent and viscosity-controlling agent that helps dissolve other ingredients and improves product texture. It also has preservative-boosting properties.
- Fructose: A natural fruit sugar that acts as a humectant to attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s part of the skin’s natural moisturizing factor complex.
- Glucose: Another natural sugar that provides humectant properties and helps maintain skin hydration. It can also serve as a gentle conditioning agent.
- Sucrose: Common sugar that acts as a humectant and can provide mild physical exfoliation. It helps maintain skin moisture and improves product texture.
- Urea: A powerful humectant and keratolytic agent that both moisturizes and gently exfoliates by breaking down protein bonds. Can cause mild irritation in sensitive individuals.
- Dextrin: A plant-derived polysaccharide that acts as a film-forming agent and helps improve product texture. It provides some moisturizing benefits and skin conditioning.
- Alanine: An amino acid that helps maintain skin barrier function and provides hydration. It’s naturally found in the skin and supports overall skin health.
- Aspartic Acid: An amino acid that helps with cellular energy production and skin repair processes. It contributes to maintaining healthy skin metabolism.
- Aesculus Hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut) Seed Extract: Contains compounds that improve circulation and reduce inflammation. It helps strengthen capillaries and can reduce redness or sensitivity.
- Humulus Lupulus (Hops) Extract: A botanical extract with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps soothe skin and provides antioxidant benefits.
- Allantoin: A soothing compound derived from plants that promotes healing and reduces irritation. It helps calm skin that may be sensitized by exfoliating acids.
- Panax Ginseng Root Extract: An adaptogenic herb that provides antioxidant protection and may help improve skin circulation. It can help energize tired-looking skin and provide anti-aging benefits.
- Lactic Acid: A gentler alpha hydroxy acid that exfoliates while providing moisturizing benefits. It’s less irritating than glycolic acid but can still cause sun sensitivity and mild irritation.
- Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit (Bilberry) Extract: A natural source of AHAs and antioxidants that provides gentle exfoliation and skin brightening. It helps protect against environmental damage.
- Saccharum Officinarum (Sugarcane) Extract: A natural source of glycolic acid that provides gentle chemical exfoliation. It delivers AHA benefits in a more naturally-derived form.
- Citric Acid: A mild alpha hydroxy acid that adjusts pH and provides gentle exfoliation. It also acts as a preservative booster and antioxidant.
- Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract: Contains natural AHAs and vitamin C for gentle exfoliation and brightening. Provides antioxidant protection and aromatic benefits. May irritate sensitive skin.
- Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract: A natural source of AHAs and vitamin C that brightens skin and provides gentle exfoliation. Can increase photosensitivity due to citrus compounds.
- Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract: Contains natural AHAs that provide gentle exfoliation and skin smoothing benefits. It’s part of the botanical AHA complex in this formula.
- Tartaric Acid: An alpha hydroxy acid derived from grapes that provides gentle exfoliation. It’s milder than glycolic acid and helps improve skin texture.
- Malic Acid: An AHA found in apples that provides gentle exfoliation with moisturizing properties. It’s one of the gentler chemical exfoliants in the formula.
- Polysorbate 20: A mild emulsifier that helps blend oil and water-based ingredients together. It improves product stability and helps other ingredients penetrate effectively.
- Phenoxyethanol: A preservative that prevents bacterial and fungal growth in the product. It’s considered safer than many traditional preservatives like parabens.
- Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate: A chelating agent that binds to metal ions to prevent product degradation and improve stability. It helps maintain the effectiveness of other ingredients.
- Ammonium Hydroxide: A pH adjuster used to neutralize acids and achieve the optimal pH level for the formula. It ensures the product is at the right pH for skin compatibility.
- Polysorbate 80: An emulsifier that helps stabilize the formula and improve ingredient compatibility. It assists in creating a smooth, well-blended product texture.
- Caprylyl Glycol: A multifunctional ingredient that acts as a preservative booster, humectant, and skin conditioning agent. It helps improve product safety and skin feel.
- Ethylhexylglycerin: A preservative enhancer and skin conditioning agent that also provides antimicrobial benefits. It helps extend product shelf life while improving texture.
- Fragrance: Makes the toner smell good. Can cause allergic reactions or sensitivity in some individuals.
- Caramel (C1168): A natural coloring agent that gives the product its tinted appearance. It’s derived from heated sugars and is primarily cosmetic.
- Hexyl Cinnamal: A fragrance component that provides a floral scent. Must be declared separately due to potential for causing allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
- Geraniol: A naturally-occurring fragrance compound found in roses and geraniums. Can cause contact allergies in some people and must be listed separately.
- Citral: A fragrance ingredient that provides citrus scent notes. Can cause skin sensitization and allergic reactions in some individuals.
- Limonene: A citrus-derived fragrance component that provides fresh, clean scent. Can cause contact allergies and may increase photosensitivity.
- Linalool: A floral fragrance compound found in lavender and other flowers. Can cause allergic contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
- Citronellol: A rose-like fragrance ingredient that’s naturally found in geraniums and roses. Can cause contact allergies and must be declared due to sensitization potential.
PIXI GLOW TONIC
- Aqua/Water/Eau: Purified water that serves as the base solvent for all other ingredients.
- Sodium Hydroxide: A pH adjuster (alkalizing agent) used to neutralize the glycolic acid and achieve the optimal pH level for skin compatibility. It ensures the formula isn’t too acidic for safe use.
- Butylene Glycol: A humectant and solvent that helps other ingredients penetrate the skin while providing moisture retention. It also improves product texture and acts as a preservative booster.
- Glycerin: A powerful humectant that draws moisture from the environment into the skin and helps maintain hydration. It’s one of the most effective moisturizing ingredients available.
- Aesculus Hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut) Seed Extract: Contains compounds that improve circulation and reduce inflammation. It helps strengthen capillaries and can reduce redness or skin sensitivity.
- Hexylene Glycol: A solvent and viscosity-controlling agent that helps dissolve other ingredients and improves product spreadability. It also has mild preservative-boosting properties.
- Fructose: A natural fruit sugar that acts as a humectant to attract and retain moisture in the skin. It’s part of the skin’s natural moisturizing factor complex.
- Glucose: A natural sugar that provides humectant properties and helps maintain skin hydration. It also serves as a gentle skin conditioning agent.
- Sucrose: Common sugar that acts as a humectant and helps maintain skin moisture. It can also provide very mild physical exfoliation properties.
- Urea: A powerful humectant and keratolytic agent that both moisturizes and gently exfoliates by breaking down protein bonds in dead skin. Can cause mild irritation or stinging in sensitive individuals.
- Dextrin: A plant-derived polysaccharide that acts as a film-forming agent and helps improve product texture. It provides moisturizing benefits and skin conditioning properties.
- Alanine: An amino acid that helps maintain skin barrier function and provides hydration. It’s naturally found in the skin and supports overall skin health and repair.
- Glutamic Acid: An amino acid that helps maintain skin hydration and supports the skin’s natural moisturizing factors. It plays a role in skin barrier function and cellular metabolism.
- Aspartic Acid: An amino acid that helps with cellular energy production and skin repair processes. It contributes to maintaining healthy skin metabolism and renewal.
- Panax Ginseng Root Extract: It has antioxidant protection.
- Ethylhexylglycerin: A preservative enhancer and skin conditioning agent that provides antimicrobial benefits. It helps extend product shelf life while improving skin texture and feel.
- Disodium EDTA: A chelating agent that binds to metal ions to prevent product degradation and maintain ingredient stability. It helps preserve the effectiveness and safety of other components.
- Biotin: Also known as Vitamin B7, it supports skin cell metabolism and helps maintain healthy skin function. It can contribute to overall skin health and appearance.
- Panthenol: Pro-Vitamin B5 that provides deep moisturization and helps repair the skin barrier. It has anti-inflammatory properties and helps soothe potential irritation from exfoliating acids.
- PPG-26-Buteth-26: An emulsifying agent that helps blend different ingredients together and improves product stability. It assists in creating a smooth, well-integrated formula.
- PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil: A mild emulsifier and solubilizer that helps dissolve fragrance and other ingredients into the water-based formula. It improves ingredient compatibility and product stability.
- Phenoxyethanol: A preservative that prevents bacterial and fungal growth in the product. It’s considered a safer alternative to many traditional preservatives like parabens.
- Parfum/Fragrance: It makes the product smell good. Can cause allergic reactions, contact dermatitis, or sensitivity in some individuals.
- Caramel: A natural coloring agent derived from heated sugars that gives the product its tinted appearance.
- Hexyl Cinnamal: A fragrance component that provides floral scent notes. Can cause allergic contact reactions in sensitive individuals and must be declared separately due to sensitization potential.
- Red 4 (CI 14700): A synthetic colorant that gives the product its reddish tint. While generally safe, some individuals may experience sensitivity to synthetic dyes.
Which Formula Is Better?
Both Pixi Glow Tonic and Bravura London Revitalising Ginseng Toner with 5% Glycolic Acid contain glycolic acid to exfoliate, humectants to hydrate, the tiniest amount of antioxidants so they can say they help fight premature ageing too, and a fragrance.
Well, actually, I guess the fragrance is the only thing that’s different between the two formulas. But that’s about it. I wouldn’t say one is better than the other. They do the same thing, so which one is best for YOU comes down to texture, scent, and what your skin likes best.
What’s The Texture Like?
Pixi: This one has that classic watery AHA toner feel. Light, thin, spreads fast. No stickiness, no film, and it sinks in quickly.
Bravura: Also liquid, but there’s a noticeable difference in weight. It’s slightly thicker – not syrupy, but richer than Pixi. Still spreads easily, but feels more hydrating and cushiony on the skin.
What’s The Fragrance Like?
Pixi: Smells kinda sweet and fake-floral-like skincare trying a bit too hard to smell nice. Not strong enough to knock you out, but definitely noticeable the second it hits your face. If you’re sensitive to fragrance or just hate that perfumey vibe, it’ll probably bug you. Doesn’t stick around for long, but still feels unnecessary.
Bravura: Completely different vibe. The scent here is herbal, clean, almost like walking into an apothecary. You’ll pick up the ginseng, witch hazel, maybe a touch of something earthy and spa-like. It smells more grown-up, more skincare clinic than high street beauty aisle. And it fades fast. It’s barely noticeable after a few seconds.
What’s The Packaging Like?
Pixi: Tall, translucent plastic bottle with a flip-top cap. Feels lightweight and a little cheap, but it does the job. The opening can be a bit messy. It’s easy to pour too much if you’re not careful. Not travel-friendly unless you decant it. Looks cute on your shelf but definitely gives drugstore vibes.
Bravura: Short, dark glass bottle with a small screw cap. Feels heavier, sturdier, and more luxe right away. The tinted glass protects the formula from light, which is a nice touch. The opening is narrower, so it’s easier to control how much you pour – way less chance of wasting product. Looks more like something you’d find in a facialist’s office than a beauty aisle.
How To Use Them
A couple of nights a week, straight after cleansing. I don’t recommend daily use. Dead cells are there for a reason: to protect the younger cells underneath that aren’t ready to come to the surface, yet. You want to remove the extra cells that are dulling and roughening up your skin, not all of them!
Which Of The Two Should You Go For?
Don’t overthink it! They do the same thing, so pick the one that has the prettiest packaging or is the most easily available. Your skin won’t notice the difference.
Availability
Bravura London Revitalising Ginseng Toner With Glycolic Acid 5% (£12.77): Available at Bravura London
Pixi Glow Tonic (£18.00): Available at Asos, Cult Beauty, Look Fantastic, and Ulta
Is Bravura London Revitalising Ginseng Toner With Glycolic Acid 5% A Dupe For Pixi Glow Tonic?
Yes! Bravura London Revitalising Ginseng Toner With Glycolic Acid 5% is almost an exact dupe for Pixi Glow Tonic. The benefits are the same, so if you can’t find Pixi in the shops (it sells out so quickly!), go with Bravura.
Bravura London Revitalising Ginseng Toner With Glycolic Acid 5% Ingredients
Deionised Water, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice*,
Propanediol, Glycolic Acid,Potassium Alum, Hexylene Glycol, Fructose, Glucose,
Sucrose, Urea, Dextrin, Alanine, Aspartic Acid, Hexyl Nicotinate, Hamamelis Virginiana
(Witch Hazel) Extract, Aesculus Hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut) Seed Extract,
Humulus Lupulus (Hops) Extract, Allantoin, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Lactic Acid,
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit (Bilberry) Extract, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugarcane)
Extract, Citric Acid, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon)
Fruit Extract, Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract, Tartaric Acid, Malic Acid,
Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Ammonium
Hydroxide, Polysorbate 80, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fragrance, Caramel
(C1168), Hexyl Cinnamal, Geraniol, Citral, Limonene, Linalool, Citronellol. *Organic.
Pixi Glow Tonic Ingredients
Aqua/Water/Eau, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, Aesculus Hippocastanum (Horse Chestnut) Seed Extract, Hexylene Glycol, Fructose, Glucose, Sucrose, Urea, Dextrin, Alanine, Glutamic Acid, Aspartic Acid, Hexyl Nicotinate, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Biotin, Panthenol, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum/Fragrance, Caramel, Hexyl Cinnamal, Red 4 (CI 14700). Made in UK / Fabriqué au R.-U.
About Gio
Hi, I’m Gio. I’m a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever – every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what’s worth the splurge and what’s best left on the shelf – using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.
