Review: Pixi Milky Tonic
When I think ‘tonic’ I immediately think of Pixi, well if I’m really honest, I think of Gin first, but at a very close second, it’s definitely Pixi that springs to mind. The brand has developed a range of products that are stronger than essences, but gentler than traditional acids to combat just about every specific concern with an array of rainbow tonics to choose from (Glow, Clarity, Collagen, Rose, Milky, Retinol and Vitamin-C) but today’s review is all about my favourite of them all, Pixi Milky Tonic.
What Makes It Special:
Pixi Milky Tonic is packed with Jojoba Seed Oil and Oat Extract to nourish and hydrate. This cloudy white liquid also contains Chamomile Water and Extract which is renowned for its skin-soothing properties, as well as Green Tea and Citrus Extracts (Orange, Lemon and Mandarin). This luscious and nourishing blend of botanicals is teamed with a good dose of Glycerin which is a humectant ingredient that helps to combat dryness and maintain the skin’s moisture levels making this the perfect product to reach for when your skin is feeling dehydrated, dry, irritated or just in need of a bit of skincare comfort. The consistency is thin and watery, it absorbs almost instantly and it works perfectly with anything I apply after it.
Why I Like It:
I use the Pixi Milky Tonic for two very separate things. Firstly, the obvious use; my face. This gives my skin an added boost of hydration before my serums which is ideal if my face is irritated or unhappy for any reason (hay fever, product reaction, overdoing the actives, too much time sitting in front of the fireplace… you get the idea). It’s calming, layers beautifully, absorbs perfectly, and can be used morning and night, and again after serums but before your moisturiser if you want to sandwich in a little more moisture. Love it. It also has a wonderfully fresh scent that smells delicious when applying it but disappears very quickly.
But the second, and less obvious, use is on my hands. I’ve suffered from dry hands forever and the 2020 surge in the reliance on hand sanitiser left my hands cracked, sore and completely parched. To the point that the thick creams I was used to reaching for weren’t cutting it and were actually doing more harm than good. Enter Pixi Milky Tonic, this light and thin liquid hydrates on contact and the Oat Extract is soothing, the Jojoba Oil is nourishing and the fact that it still lets your skin breathe is exactly what my dry hands were crying out for. I use this during the day (all the hydration with none of the annoying greasiness of hand cream) and then again before bed and follow it up by applying a small amount of my new favourite hand cream. My hands look and feel the best they have in a long time!
What I Don’t Like About It:
I wish the dispenser was different, a spray bottle or one of those tip lids would be my preference, something with a bit more control so I don’t pour out so much would be fab.
Application:
Apply after cleansing but before serums. Don’t be confused by the word Tonic, it’s used at the toner/essence stage of your routine.
If applying to hands, apply when they are clean and dry. I like to follow up with hand cream of an evening.
Product Claims:
Calm and soothe your complexion – agree
Comforts and hydrates skin – agree
Ingredients:
Aqua/Water/Eau, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium PCA, Avena Strigosa Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Barley Protein, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria)Flower Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Sterols, Linoleic Acid, Oleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Extract, Citrus Nobilis (Mandarin Orange) Fruit Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus (Clove) Flower Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender)Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Phospholipids, Lecithin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Citrate, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin.
Full Disclaimer: This contains Lavender extract, which my skin normally reacts really badly to, so I was hesitant to try this for a long time. However, for some reason, it doesn’t affect me in the slightest in this formula. Not sure why, but I think it’s a good reminder that formulation and production methods can make such a difference to the end result and that products aren’t just a sum of all their ingredients. And, that even the ‘cleanest’, most botanically naturally ingredients can be problematic too. Okay, off my soapbox now.
Available From:
Cult Beauty
Adore Beauty
Sephora
Pixi Beauty
Details:
100ml – $29 / £10
250ml – $55 / £18
Repurchase:
Absolutely. I’ve just bought my first large size, but I’ve gone through two of the smaller bottles already. A great product to have on hand for irritated skin, but also a great toner for boosting hydration and making skin feel moisturised and comfortable.
