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Facetheory’s Exfoliating Toner Works Like A Charm To Fight Breakouts

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by Andrea Gale
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When it comes to a well-rounded skin-care routine, proper exfoliation is key. And Facetheory — a brand known for their vegan, cruelty-free, science-backed skin care — just dropped your new favorite exfoliant: Saliatica 2% BHA Toner T6. The toner is specially formulated to help fight the bacteria that causes acne, so it’s a particularly great choice for people with oily, congested, and acne-prone skin; but since it’s gentler than other BHA toners on the market, sensitive-skinned folks can also try it out (and everyone can benefit from gentle exfoliation and toning!). It doesn’t hurt that while Facetheory’s products feel luxurious and expensive, they’re oh-so-easy on the wallet, too.

If you’re interested in boosting your skin’s glow factor, read on for more information about Facetheory’s new hero product.

Fast facts:

  • $19.99 for 6.8 fluid ounces
  • Recommended for most skin types, including oily, congested, and acne-prone
  • Exfoliates, balances, and brightens
  • Free from parabens, silicones, PEGs, SLS, SLES, mineral oils, and fragrance
  • Vegan and cruelty-free

What’s In Facetheory’s New Toner?

It’s no secret that chemical exfoliants, like the alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) packed into Facetheory’s toner, are the secret to effective exfoliation. So why is Facetheory’s Saliatica 2% BHA Toner T6 special? This has to do with Facetheory’s particular cocktail of ingredients, which combines those familiar chemical exfoliants with two unique ingredients: a microbiome complex and centella asiatica. Altogether, these four active ingredients work to sweep away dead skin cells; fight acne-causing bacteria; calm redness; and fortify your skin barrier to prevent future breakouts from occurring.

Let’s dig deeper into how the hero ingredients in Facetheory’s new toner work.

AHAs

AHAs, which are naturally derived from certain foods (like fruits, sugar, and milk), work to break down the “glue” between dead skin cells. For that reason, they’re potent skin-brighteners and retexturizers, and they help keep your pores free of the dead skin cells and other buildup that can contribute to breakouts. There are several types of AHAs out there, but Facetheory’s toner utilizes lactic acid, which is known to be gentle enough for those with sensitive skin.

BHAs

BHAs — specifically in the form of salicylic acid, which appears in a 2% concentration in Facetheory’s toner — are one of the most effective chemical exfoliants for treating the bacteria that causes acne. That’s because they can penetrate deeper into the skin than AHAs can, working to thoroughly unclog pores and promote cellular turnover. Plus, salicylic acid’s anti-inflammatory properties offer a soothing effect, so despite its potency, it’s generally tolerable for sensitive skin.

Microbiome Complex

What really sets Facetheory’s toner apart from others like it is the addition of Dendriclear™, a patented complex that rebalances the skin’s microbiome, aka the network of millions of microorganisms that live on the surface of your skin. When your skin’s microbiome is properly balanced, it’s better able to stave off the bacteria and other aggressors, both internal and external, that contribute to acne and other skin conditions. This particular microbiome complex also works to regulate sebum production, so you might just experience fewer breakouts in the long run.

Centella Asiatica

The final key ingredient is centella asiatica, an herb often found in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for its wound-healing benefits. It’s loaded with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties to quell redness, and it works as a potent moisturizer. It also contains compounds that increase collagen production, resulting in firmer, stronger skin overall.

Who Can Benefit From Facetheory’s Saliatica 2% BHA Toner T6?

All skin types can benefit from this product’s gentle brightening and exfoliating properties, but it may be especially beneficial for anyone who wants to treat breakouts or regulate oily skin. Those looking to reduce unwanted hyperpigmentation or scarring, or smooth out their skin’s texture, can also benefit from the powerhouse combination of AHAs and BHAs.

That said, if you have very sensitive skin, try doing a patch test before you apply it all over your skin — even though the formula is meant to be gentle, it’s still a chemical exfoliant, which can irritate certain skin types. The brand also reports that those under 18, pregnant people, and those allergic to aspirin should steer clear of this toner.

Rave Reviews

“I started using this around 2 weeks ago and can see a massive improvement in my skin texture and how it makes me feel too! Very impressed and I built up the product usage as recommended and use twice daily with absolutely no problems, and I know it’s making my skin feel great. Struggled with adult hormonal acne for years and this seems to really help keep the breakouts at bay.”

“Amazing product, I have already advised all my friends to buy this. My pores are reduced, my skin brighter and firmer, acne scarring is massively reduced so my complexion is much more even. My skin feels smooth and soft. It's a miracle product and I LOVE it.”

Shop More Facetheory Best-Sellers

A word of warning: Facetheory’s new toner is so popular, it sells out fast. So if you’ve missed the boat on this particular product (for now!), you might want to check out the brand’s plethora of other vegan, cruelty-free products you may also enjoy. To make it easy, on their website you can shop by skin concern, ingredient, or even entire skin-care routines to make sure you find the perfect product for your skin type and goals. They even have skin-care tools, like organic cotton face cloths and a facial massage bar, to really upgrade your regimen.

So if you’re looking for clean, effective skincare that won’t require you to mortgage your home (and who isn’t?), you might want to give Facetheory’s other best-selling products a try.

Studies referenced:

Wiesława Bylka, W., Znajdek-Awiżeń, P., Studzińska-Sroka, E., and Brzezińska, M. (2013) Centella asiatica in cosmetology. Postepy Dermatol Alergol. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3834700/

Ratz-Łyko, A., Arct J., and Pytkowska, K. (2016) Moisturizing and Antiinflammatory Properties of Cosmetic Formulations Containing Centella asiatica Extract. Indian J Pharm Sci. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4852572/

Grice, E.A., and Segre, J.A. (2013) The skin microbiome. Nat Rev Microbiol. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3535073/

Moghimipour, E. (2012). Hydroxy Acids, the Most Widely Used Anti-aging Agents. Jundishapur J Nat Pharm Prod. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3941867/

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