M-61

M-61 PowerGlow Toner

Name: M-61 - PowerGlow Toner
Brand: M-61

Efficacy100/100IrritancyHigh

See all ingredients

Works for

Exfoliation

Glycolic acid, Salicylic acid

Works well

What the product description says

“This alcohol-free, pore refining toner deeply cleanses, removes impurities, balances and clarifies skin for a brighter complexion post-cleanse. Key Benefits Mild exfoliating toner. Deeply cleanses and removes impurities. Helps to refine and reduce pore size. Promotes a more even skin tone.”

Source: Bluemercury

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: glycolic acid, salicylic acid.

Glycolic acidKey activeEffect: HighAn alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid~2.7–4.1%

Salicylic acidKey activeEffect: HighUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)~0.95–1.45%

Evens skin tone

Glycolic acid, Salicylic acid

Works well

What the product description says

“Helps to improve the skin’s tone, texture and clarity.”

Source: Bluemercury

This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: glycolic acid, salicylic acid

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.

Salicylic acidEffect: LowUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)~0.95–1.45%

Anti-blemish

Salicylic acid, Glycolic acid

Works well

What the product description says

“This alcohol-free, pore refining toner deeply cleanses, removes impurities, balances and clarifies skin for a brighter complexion post-cleanse. Key Benefits Mild exfoliating toner. Deeply cleanses and removes impurities. Helps to refine and reduce pore size. Promotes a more even skin tone.”

Source: Bluemercury

This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: salicylic acid. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.

The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: glycolic acid

Salicylic acidHeroEffect: HighUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)~0.95–1.45%

Glycolic acidKey activeEffect: MediumAn alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid~2.7–4.1%

Anti-aging

Side benefit · Glycolic acid

Works well

This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains glycolic acid.

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.

Moisturizing

Side benefit · Panthenol, Glycerin + 1 more

Works well

This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin.

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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).

The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol

PanthenolHero· HumectantEffect: HighHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function~0.85–1.3%

GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~3.5–5.3%

Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powderEffect: LowTraditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin~0.5–1.15%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy

4 strong irritants: Hamamelis virginiana leaf extract, Lavandula angustifolia flower oil + 2 more — patch-test recommended

High risk

We flagged 9 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.

IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount

Glycolic acidAn alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acidHigh~2.7–4.1%est.

Salicylic acidUsed for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)High~0.95–1.45%est.

Hamamelis virginiana leaf extractA plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritatingHigh~1.6–2.4%est.

Lavandula angustifolia flower oilA fragrant plant oil, can be irritatingHigh~1.1–1.6%est.

Mentha piperita oilUsed as a fragrance and can be irritatingHigh~0.4–0.9%est.

Citrus grandis extract—High~0.15–0.65%est.

Hexylene glycolHelps create a more spreadable product textureMedium~6.3–9.5%est.

Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powderTraditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skinMedium~0.5–1.15%est.

EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~0.05–0.15%est.

Comedogenic

Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients

None flagged

Alternatives

Cheaper, or higher on efficacy

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution

Cheaper99% match

$7.20

Facetheory Glow-C Deep Resurfacing Toner | facetheory - facetheory.com

Cheaper98% match

$26.00

View all alternatives

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Plain old water

More about Water

Hexylene glycol~6.3–9.5%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Cleansing

Helps create a more spreadable product texture

More about Hexylene glycol

Glycerin~3.5–5.3%

Key active

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

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 Glycerin

Glycolic acid~2.7–4.1%

Key activeIrritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

Anti-agingExfoliationEvens skin toneAnti-blemish

An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid

More about Glycolic acid

Salicylic acid~0.95–1.45%

Hero · Anti-blemishIrritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

Anti-inflammatoryAnti-blemishExfoliationAntibacterialEvens skin tone

Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)

More about Salicylic acid

Hamamelis virginiana leaf extract~1.6–2.4%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

Anti-inflammatory

A plant extract that can help calm down inflammation in skin. Can, however, itself be irritating

More about Hamamelis virginiana leaf extract

Vaccinium myrtillus seed extract~1.3–2%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

More about Vaccinium myrtillus seed extract

Lavandula angustifolia flower oil~1.1–1.6%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

A fragrant plant oil, can be irritating

More about Lavandula angustifolia flower oil

Panthenol~0.85–1.3%

Hero · Moisturizing

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

MoisturizingReduces rednessReduces irritation

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function

More about Panthenol

Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder~0.5–1.15%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Works for

Moisturizing

Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin

More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder

Mentha piperita oil~0.4–0.9%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Used as a fragrance and can be irritating

More about Mentha piperita oil

Citrus grandis extract~0.15–0.65%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

More about Citrus grandis extract

Propanediol~0.15–0.65%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin

More about Propanediol

Polysorbate 20~0.1–0.5%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together

More about Polysorbate 20

Phenoxyethanol~0.05–0.3%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol

Ethylhexylglycerin~0.05–0.15%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin

Sodium hydroxide~0.05–0.15%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide

Ingredient list view

Water, Hexylene glycol, Glycerin, Glycolic acid, Salicylic acid, Hamamelis virginiana leaf extract, Vaccinium myrtillus seed extract, Lavandula angustifolia flower oil, Panthenol, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice powder, Mentha piperita oil, Citrus grandis extract, Propanediol, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium hydroxide

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Bluemercury

$34.00

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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.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
	M-61PowerGlow TonerYOUR PRODUCT	The OrdinaryAHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution	Beauty DropsAHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling	FacetheoryGlow-C Deep Resurfacing Toner \| facetheory - facetheory.com
Match	—	99%	99%	98%
Price	$34.00	$7.20−$26.80	—	$26.00−$8.00
Shared key ingredients	—	4 of 4	4 of 4	4 of 4
Key difference	—	Lactic Acid	Lactic Acid	Lactic Acid
Irritancy	High	Medium	Medium	Low
Drying alcohol	—	—	—	—
	View product	Shop	Shop	Shop

More alternatives: Dope Skin Co AHA/BHA Exfoliating Tonic Skin Control Peel Pads

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Product summary

"M-61 - PowerGlow Toner" is effective for: Exfoliation, Anti-aging, Evens skin tone, Anti-blemish and Moisturizing

Ingredient callouts

This product contains acids (glycolic acid 2.70% - 4.10%). 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).
Salicylic acid (0.95% - 1.45%). This is an oil-soluble exfoliating acid. Because of this property, it can work inside pores and help reduce the congestion. It has an anti-inflammatory effect and is used to treat acne. Because it is a quite strong exfoliator, be careful with using this product too often: it could result in over-exfoliation.
An effective concentration of Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) - about 0.85% - 1.30%. Panthenol helps strengthen the skin barrier, improve hydration and reduce inflammation in skin.
Humectants (panthenol 0.85% - 1.30% and glycerin 3.50% - 5.30%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.