Works for
ExfoliationGluconolactoneWorks well
“Targeting Barrier Repair Dullness Visible Pores The Good Stuff Fragrance Free Silicone Free Sulphate Free Transform the complexion with the Facegym Skin Changer Essence Toner, a fast-acting exfoliating essence designed to help reveal a clearer, brighter skin.Combining the exfoliating power of an acid toner with the skincare benefits of an essence, this essence toner delivers multiple results from a single product.”
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: gluconolactone.
Evens skin toneGluconolactone, AlanineWorks well
“Powered by 2% succinic acid and quince leaf extract, it works to reduce the appearance of pores, blemishes and dark spots.The toner also features upcycled pumpkin extract, which uses a detoxifying mechanism known as the ‘Pac-Man effect’ to eat away at the junk inside skin cells.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: gluconolactone
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually can help even out the skin tone: alanine.
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
MoisturizingGlycerin, Gluconolactone + 15 moreWorks
“With a complex of glycogen, amino acids and magnesium, it helps boost natural hydration levels to help leave the skin soft and supple.”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
alanine, arginine.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: arginine.
Anti-blemishGluconolactoneNot delivered
“Powered by 2% succinic acid and quince leaf extract, it works to reduce the appearance of pores, blemishes and dark spots.The toner also features upcycled pumpkin extract, which uses a detoxifying mechanism known as the ‘Pac-Man effect’ to eat away at the junk inside skin cells.”
This product contains ingredients (gluconolactone) that could help reduce blemishes and clogged pores in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · Gluconolactone, Serine + 1 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains gluconolactone.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: serine, threonine.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · GluconolactoneMay help
This product contains antioxidants (gluconolactone) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy6 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Propanediol~4.8–7.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolGlycerin~3.4–5.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinGluconolactone~2.7–4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals
More about GluconolactoneSuccinic acid~2.1–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cucurbita pepo seed extract~1.7–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cydonia oblonga leaf extract~1.5–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Saccharomyces/xylinum/black tea ferment~1.3–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A fermented sweet black tea. There is no studies on particular benefits of this ingredient in skin. It can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin, and might have some anti-oxidant effect. It is used in skincare for mostly marketing purposes because of the popularity of kombucha drinks
More about Saccharomyces/xylinum/black tea fermentGlycogen~1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about GlycogenMagnesium pca~0.85–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Magnesium pcaSodium pca~0.55–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
More about Sodium pcaBetaine~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about BetainePca~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
More about PcaSerine~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In combination with other amino-acids, might help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
More about SerineAlanine~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might help to lighten the skin, but solid evidence is lacking
More about AlanineGlycine~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help restore the skin barrier function
More about GlycineGlutamic acid~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino-acid that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Glutamic acidLysine hcl~0.3–0.75%
Threonine~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino-acid that helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In combination with other amino-acids, might help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
More about ThreonineProline~0.2–0.75%
Arginine~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino acid that is naturally present in skin and helps keep it hydrated. When used together with AHAs, it can reduce their irritating effect on the skin
More about ArginineAcacia senegal gum~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps mask the small of other ingredients and improve the product texture
More about Acacia senegal gumXanthan gum~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumSodium lactate~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the product
More about Sodium lactateSodium hydroxide~0.1–0.35%
Citric acid~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidSodium benzoate~0.05–0.25%
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.05–0.2%
Potassium sorbate~0.05–0.2%
Phenoxyethanol~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolIngredient list view
Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Gluconolactone, Succinic acid, Cucurbita pepo seed extract, Cydonia oblonga leaf extract, Saccharomyces/xylinum/black tea ferment, Glycogen, Magnesium pca, Sodium pca, Betaine, Pca, Serine, Alanine, Glycine, Glutamic acid, Lysine hcl, Threonine, Proline, Arginine, Acacia senegal gum, Xanthan gum, Sodium lactate, Sodium hydroxide, Citric acid, Sodium benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium sorbate, Phenoxyethanol
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| FaceGymSkin Changer Essence TonerYOUR PRODUCT | Dr.DifferentScaling Toner | e.l.f. CosmeticsThirst Burst Pore-fecting Toner | DanuceraD22 Tonic | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 48% | 48% | 47% |
| Price | $55.00 | $36.54−$18.46 | $6.00−$49.00 | $42.00−$13.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 16 | 2 of 16 | 3 of 16 |
| Key difference | — | Panthenol | Salicylic Acid | Glycolic Acid |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Comfort Zone Sublime Skin Peel Padinnisfree Green Tea Enzyme 7% PHA Gentle Exfoliating Toner
Product summary
"FaceGym - Skin Changer Essence Toner" is effective for: Anti-aging, Exfoliation and Evens skin tone
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- This product contains acids (gluconolactone 2.70% - 4.00%). Their concentration is low, and they will not have a strong exfoliating effect. Instead, they work to support the skin natural acid mantle and to attract water (as humectants). PHAs (gluconolactone) especially are great for improving skin hydration. They might be even able to stimulate the production of skin's natural humectants and support the healthy skin microbiome.
- Humectants (sodium lactate 0.10% - 0.45%, arginine 0.15% - 0.60%, glutamic acid 0.35% - 0.80%, glycine 0.35% - 0.80%, alanine 0.35% - 0.85%, pca 0.40% - 0.95%, betaine 0.45% - 1.05%, sodium pca 0.55% - 1.25%, magnesium pca 0.85% - 1.25%, glycogen 1.00% - 1.60% and glycerin 3.40% - 5.10%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails from 19.99$ up to 55.00$ in the United States and from 45.00£ up to 351.00£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 16 studies and safety reviews.
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