Medik8 releases new toner

UK skincare manufacturer Medik8 has launched a new exfoliating toner called Press and Glow.

The company explains that the product contains gluconolactone, a polyhydroxy acid (PHA) designed to exfoliate the skin toleave a clearer complexion. Other ingredients in the toner include prickly pear extract that aims to boost the activity of natural exfoliation enzymes, and aloe vera to reduce skin irritation and enhance the skin’s moisture retention properties.

Daniel Isaacs, Medik8’s director of research, said, “We don’t deny that glycolic and other AHA/BHAs are fantastic exfoliators, but practitioners report that they see a lot of overuse and the result is dry sensitised skin. This is where PHAs come in.”

He continued, “When applied to the skin, the gluconolactone in Press and Glow converts to gluconic acid; an active acid within the skin. This conversion acts as a form of time-release, slowly releasing the acid into the skin meaning irritation is unlikely. An additional benefit of gluconolactone is its hydrating properties. It’s incredibly hydrating thanks to its chemical structure – the multiple hydroxy groups attached to the molecule essentially act as water magnets. The result? Skin that’s more resilient and better able to optimise vitamin C and A – both core ingredients in Medik8’s skin philosophy.”

Medik8 states that the toner is not suitable for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.