Review Detail

I am at the age where my skin care is more about maintenance than prevention. Topically applied products can only do so much now. I have a good serum and day and night moisturisers, so I thought it could add something to my cleansing routine to make the former more effective. Caroline Hirons is one of my go-to's when I want skin care information. I had been reading about acid toners on Caroline's site and thought they might be what I was looking for. My skin is on the sensitive side and prone to redness, so I chose the gentlest of the acid toners I saw reviewed - First Aid Beauty aka FAB facial radiance pads.

Alcohol-free with the acids derived from plant sources, the product works by gently exfoliating the skin to help remove dead skin cells, reduce the appearance of surface lines and generally make your skin look brighter. Its action also makes your serum more effective, by allowing it to penetrate the skin more deeply. Serums have smaller molecules than moisturisers, and are made to penetrate further past the upper layer or epidermis. An acid toner like FAB clears the way, so to speak, so that product applied afterwards can do its job more effectively.

I have been using it once a day for just over a week now and I definitely see a difference. My skin has lost that fatigued, dull look it was developing (although I've just come out of a short bout of illness which was probably not helping), and generally looks brighter, clearer and a bit firmer. The area I was most surprised about was my neck, which at 56, is going to show your age where your face may not. It also looks smoother and more toned.

I don't detect any particular scent to the product, although some users have. And I don't feel any residue on my skin after rinsing. The tub the pads come in is lightweight, making it easy to take along. Normally priced at £22.00 for 60 pads, it seems to be on sale fairly regularly. I got mine via Beauty Bay for £17.22.