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The Inkey List

Polyhydroxy Acid Toner.

The Inkey List Polyhydroxy Acid Toner
Toners

About this product

A liquid chemical exfoliant toner containing 3% polyhydroxy acid designed to gently exfoliate while hydrating the skin.

Best for

Sensitive skin
Toners

The Guru Index verdict

87%

Approved

Approved · 87%
3Reviewers
3Approved
0Mixed
0Skip

What the gurus are saying

Gurus consistently praise this toner as a gentler alternative to harsher exfoliants like The Ordinary's glycolic solution, especially for sensitive or compromised skin. The recurring strength is that it exfoliates effectively while remaining hydrating and nourishing, thanks to PHAs' water-binding properties. Multiple reviewers note it's underrated and affordable, making it a solid pick for those seeking chemical exfoliation without irritation.
Synthesized from 3 expert reviews
Every take, in full

What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

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Approved
"You can also use instead of something with glycolic and salicylic and eloscorbic acid a polyhydroxy acid. The Inkey List makes a really nice one."
Approved
"The toner that I'm going to recommend is a toner liquid exfoliant from The Inkey List, their polyhydroxy acid toner that is lovely, very affordable at $14 on Amazon. This contains 3% polyhydroxy acid that's going to act as a hydrating ingredient at the same time and over time helps to improve dryness, along with 3% Niacinamide that is also an antioxidant anti-inflammatory ingredient that really works well with polyhydroxy acid to tackle dullness, uneven skin tone, and skin texture, and also contains Aloe that's going to be hydrating at the same time. I recommend pouring this onto your palm and then patting onto your skin instead of swiping with a cotton pad that may just be a little bit too abrasive physically. You can use this a couple times a week almost like a hydrating toner slash chemical exfoliant in one."
Approved
"The Inkey List doesn't get a lot of attention for their toners, but I don't know why because they literally create two of my favorite ones. This is the PHA or polyhydroxy acid toner, and if The Ordinary's toning solution is too much for you, this is a godsend. It is non-irritating as compared to The Ordinary's, and yet it's a little bit hydrating and nourishing to the skin. This has a really low molecular weight so it's very, very tiny. If your skin is struggling and you need a little bit of a glow, maybe you have a little bit of acne or post-acne marks, this stuff is so good. Polyhydroxy acids are really good at holding onto water, and they hang out on top of the skin because of how big and chunky they are. They don't penetrate but they exfoliate gently on the top. They're really good at holding moisture into the skin, and it's like a leveled up version and an even more sensitive version of the glycolic."
Top Pick: gentle liquid exfoliant
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