Cult products have a reason for being cult products. They are either very hard to find, produced in limited quantities with limited distribution or they work so damn well there’s a cult following. The Alpha-H Liquid Gold is one such cult product.
I first came across this wonder product about 2 years ago (Damn! Has it been that long?!) At the time I read about how so many people be they bloggers or makeup artists or just people in beauty, raving and raving about how this Liquid Gold transformed their skin. Well, just tattoo my forehead with an S and call me a Sucker because the moment I found an online store selling it, I was off like a shot with my credit card.
The original incarnation of the packaging of Alpha H products was an austere black and white. It was just very simple, no frills, rather like something you’d pick up from a doctor’s office. I picked up a trial set and set out to try it. Well, I wasn’t impressed with anything from it. The famed Liquid Gold didn’t move the earth for me so I set it aside.
Half a year later, while clearing out my stuff, I came across the set again and decided to once again use it, more to use up the product and prevent wastage than anything. And this time, something happened…. which resulted in my picking up the full sized bottle. Ahhh… suckerrrrrr… 😀
The Alpha H Liquid Gold is a glycolic acid based treatment that comes with a short list of ingredients and a tall order that it will resurface your skin and reduce wrinkles, lines and pigmentation. The thing is, unlike some glycolic acid based products, there is no percentage stated anywhere on this, which creates doubt in the mind of the purists. I’m not a purist so while it would be nice to know just how much glycolic acid is in there to ensure it does the job, I am not too fussed about it.
What you have here is the new Alpha H Liquid Gold packaging which is a plastic bottle in an old gold burnished shade. There is a big bulky cap which opens up to a flip top dispenser. I’m not too sure why they kept to this rather fuddy duddy packaging but if you have seen the old black and white one, this looks infinitely better 😛
Being a glycolic acid based product, you are advised to use it only at night and to ensure that you ALWAYS wear sunscreen. But then you already wear it daily… don’t you? Tsk if you don’t 😛 This is because glycolic acid will help to remove the dead skin cells from the surface of your skin and promote cell renewal which means that while your skin will look more radiant, it can also be susceptible to sun damage.
The other constraint using Liquid Gold is that you are advised to not use it daily. This is a treatment product. If your skin can handle it, then you are to use it on alternate days. If your skin is sensitive then maybe twice or once a week. You may also experience tingling on your skin but I didn’t. I was trying to finish up my trial sized bottle so I went for an alternate day use and that was when I derived the most benefits from this product. It must be said that my skin can handle this sort of regular chemical exfoliation but I’d caution against going at it so diligently at the beginning, if you’ve never used a glycolic acid product.
How to use Liquid Gold?
- Saturate a piece of cotton with Liquid Gold.
- Wipe all over your face avoiding the eye area
- Skip the rest of your night skincare for an intensive treatment
If you’re familiar with glycolic acid based products you might be wondering “Isn’t it drying? Don’t you have to apply a cream over so your face doesn’t dry out and fall off?”
The answer is no, you do not. This is rather like a mask, if you may. To my surprise, it isn’t drying at all and my face doesn’t feel like it’s about to fall off. It actually feels comfortable. Not super hydrated, but comfortable and my skin does look better in the morning.
I didn’t see instant results the way some bloggers have but over a period of about 2 months I did notice that my skin was looking and feeling better. More radiant, smoother and just better. I can’t say if pigmentation has decreased but I definitely saw marked improvements in skin texture. I also noticed that I had fewer blackheads and blocked pores when I was using Liquid Gold regularly.
I did notice that after about 6 months using this, my skin has hit a plateau so I took a break. I also realised that occasional use of Liquid Gold doesn’t do much of anything for my skin. I need to be diligent and keep to the alternate night treatment when I’ll see the best results so that’s what I’ll be doing again to give my skin that kickstart it needs. My skin likes this and I like that I can treat each alternate night as my “cheat skincare” routine where I don’t have to do anything except cleanse and wipe this treatment lotion over my skin and go on my merry way 😀
Happily for me, this cult product did work as promised once I gave it a second chance. I don’t really notice a lot of firming of the skin or lightening of pigmentation or even reduction of lines but I notice a much better skin tone and texture and at my age, I’ll take all the help I can get 🙂
In a nutshell
The Alpha H Liquid Gold is a glycolic acid treatment lotion that you use only on alternate nights if your skin can handle it, or once or twice a week if skin is sensitive. I find that long term use on alternate nights benefited my skin the most in terms of improving skin tone and texture. Skin felt and looked smoother, clearer and more radiant but you must be diligent and not give up half way. There is no percentage of glycolic acid stated which some people aren’t happy with but there is enough that it can make your skin tingle if its sensitive. Only use this at night and ALWAYS wear a high SPF sunscreen in the day when using a glycolic acid product or you risk further skin damage. I do like this and plan to keep using it.
Pros: Does not dry out skin, Makes my skin look clearer and more radiant, Makes my skin tone and texture finer and more supple, Easy to use
Cons: May not suit everyone especially if you have very sensitive skin, Not easy to get hold of, Not for you if your skin cannot handle alcohol
Who will like this: Anyone looking for a chemical exfoliator for skin, Anyone whose skin can handle glycolic acid
Here is the ingredient list for Liquid Gold.
I believe the glycerin and silk proteins are what keeps the skin from not drying out and staying comfortable with just this on skin. There is alcohol denat in this which I know some people can’t use so take note of that. I personally have no problems and I did see results from using this but as usual, with skincare, results will vary from individual to individual.
I bought mine from CultBeauty.co.uk and you can also get it from Beautybay.com, both of which ship worldwide for free. There are other sites like Amazon and Ebay that sell this of course so find one that best suits your location and needs. Prices do vary quite widely though so I’d suggest you do your homework. I paid about £31.50 for mine with free shipping and there are sometimes sales so that’s a good time to buy. (Edit: It’s now approx £33.50 although if you buy from Cult Beauty like I do, and have it shipped outside the EU, you get it tax free so that’s a nice saving!)
There is a local/regional site I will not name that stocks this but I do not like their business practices and the way they treat people who don’t suck up to them, so will not recommend them but don’t let that stop you buying from them if you’ve had good experience with them before 😛
Have you tried this cult product before? Are there other Alpha H products worth trying?
My initial trial wasn’t a success so I’m glad I gave this a second chance and was diligent because I only really noticed results after about 2 months at it. I don’t believe in instant results so I didn’t mind the longer period for it to take effect. Some of the sites sell trial sets so that’s another way you can try this before buying a full size bottle. That’s what I did at the beginning! 😀 I wasn’t too impressed with the other products but I’d like to know if anyone has recs for other Alpha H products that work 🙂
Paris B
Alpha H Liquid Gold with Glycolic Acid Price: On average £31.50 /100ml Availability: CultBeauty.co.uk (my favoured online store), Beautybay.com are 2 stores I’ve used and other online stores some of which offer worldwide free shipping, some don’t
I love that you called this your “cheat” routine! That’s what I think of as well when I use the Olay Night Resurfacing Elixir. On days that I’m too tired, I usually skip everything and just use that. But you’re right, sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen. I try to avoid using it in summer when UV is extremely harsh. I’ll give the Alpha H a go once I’m done with the Olay one – I’ve always been curious about it 🙂
Gosh you reminded me of that Olay again! I was using it for a bit then got distracted. I’m so bad at keeping to a routine these days, might be why I’m breaking out >.< But I actually look forward to Liquid Gold nights because I don't do anything. Just apply it on and that's it. Suddenly find myself with time on my hands LOL See if you can get a sample/trial kit. It's Australian you know! 😉
darn it. I just wrote in my blog yesterday about considering getting alpha-H from an online site and here u are telling me I really should. aiyaiyaiii…
LOL! I read minds? 😀 It’s a good one to try if you’re used to glycolic acid products. Checked out your post and that regional site does have a very good price for it but I guess I’m just prejudiced 😛
I just got this not long ago, probably just 3-4th uses of it till date. I love leave it alone without moisturizer, my face looks and feels better in the next day too. But my skin can’t tolerate with alternate night usage, so I’ll use it 2-3 nights per week then. Great purchase!
Do you still using the exfoliating toner the other day(i mean in between of Alpha Gold nights)? And I’ve check with local Clarins counter, and the previous version of Clarins Gentle Renewing Brightening Peel (which is Asian version of Clarins Exfoliating Toner) will be discontinued and come up with a newer version probably same name with UK/US version in coming months. However, I’m also keen on trying Ren’s Clarifying Toning Lotion.
Hey Wynnce, nope I don’t use an exfoliating toner on other days. If my skin is feeling particular fussy I may (I use the Hada Labo Peeling lotion but it’s very mild) and then I go on a hydrating routine. I haven’t tried the Clarins one (didn’t know we don’t get the Exfoliating Toner!) although I was interested, and I was interested in REN’s too but I was told by the store here that they don’t have it and it’s been out of stock for a long time. I might just get it online then if I can.
Woah ~ I’ve heard lots of beauty bloggers raving about this ! (*cough * caroline h.) but haven’t had the courage to try it out . Seeing this review convinced me to give this a go muahahaha (*cries as wallet feels empty again*) . Fingers crossed, hopefully’ll get good results after using it ~ 😀
Yes, the UK bloggers are all over this one! Try to get a trial kit first. It’s cheaper and you’ll be able to figure out if you like it or if you don’t actually need it 😛
you wrote the word CULT 4 times in the first paragraph already, I believe u! Hahaha…. *just kidding*
Anyway I dont think I dare to try this as my skin do get sensitive at times and to see alcohol at the 2nd top spot in the ingredient list just scares me. *gulp*
LOL I didn’t even notice that 😀 If you have sensitive skin, best not to try something like this coz it can burn the skin. I know some people are wary of alcohol in products so that’s definitely another thing to take note of too!
I have this and to be honest I don’t see a remarkable improvement but I guess I need to use it alternate days, my skin does tolerate it well as its not drying at all…currently I am using it 2 times a week..will def try to use it alternate days and see if it works for me 🙂
I saw best results when using it on alternate days, Parita. If I slack off like now and use it once or twice a week, it doesn’t impress me as much so if your skin can handle it, try an alternate night routine and see if it works out better for you 🙂
Thanks for reviewing this as I wanted to know your thoughts on this as well. Caroline Hirons raves about this product too 🙂 Wow, I did not know that the local/regional site you mentioned had dodgy business practices. I just bought Sleek Blush By 3 Pallette from them this Monday as they were having a CNY sale. I hope I get my blush this week without any issues. This same site is selling the Alpha-H Liquid Gold for a discounted price of RM112.50 (Original price is RM133.50).
I am currently using the Olay Regenerist Night Resurfacing Essence on alternate nights. I bought it only because I got a good price for it during a Watson promotion in December – original price is RM99.90 and I bought it for RM49.95. I have not really notice a marked change to my skin but I guess I need to used it diligently to see the difference. How does this compare with Alpha-H Liquid Gold because I know you have this product too?
Caroline also raves about the Clarins Exfoliating Toner although she advices not to use it everyday. Like Wynnce pointed out, the Clarins SA in Sogo said that they are reformulating the product but the Clarins SA in Gardens told me they are merely changing the image of the bottle to align it with the other whitening products that went though a change last year. Strange that both SAs gave me 2 different explanations. LOL. I am guessing if you use an exfoliating toner like this at night, you should not use Alpha or Olay right?
I can’t remember where I came across it the first time, but I remember when doing my research that A Model Recommends definitely raves about this one. I think I was sold on her review haha! I wouldn’t say that site is dodgy but I just didn’t like the way they treated people. I’m sure they are fine to their customers so I’m sure you have nothing to worry about 🙂 I did see the pretty decent price they have but although I’m tempted, I’m sticking to my principles and not buying from them. Guess I’m just rubbed the wrong way 😉
I was using that Olay one for a spell and then fell off the bandwagon. I remember I liked it so I might go back but for now my skin is a mess so i’m going to get things back under control first before trying anything new. A friend of mine really like the Olay essence and I believe it can actually be used daily (I know I was) so if you aren’t seeing results maybe you can try going at it daily and see if it delivers better results?
I have been curious about that Clarins Exfoliating Toner for a while and I didn’t even know that we don’t get it here. What?! 😛 I’d probably try and get it elsewhere then coz I”m not a fan of whitening products 😛 And yes, if you are using any exfoliating item, you do not use it together with this Liquid Gold nor the Olay Essence nor any peeling product. It’ll be too much.
I am really curious to what you mean on how they treat people? How come you said your skin is messed up? It looks really good now and much better than say 1 year ago. Actually for the Clarins toner, you do get it here in Malaysia but it is called differently in Asia compared with Europe and USA.
I had a poor run with them not as a consumer I might add, but it did affect my view of them hence my lack of support. As for my skin it’s a recent thing and I’m not sure if it’s the weather or something I used (or stopped using) or just something I ate but am back to crappy skin so I’m going back to the tried and true for now. I did read that the Clarins toner has a different name here but I wonder if it’s indeed the same? Still I might try to find the exact one that Caroline H uses. Let’s hope that too hasn’t had its formula changed 😛
Victoria, your comment hit the spot for me regarding the review from Caroline Hirons. I first saw Liquid Gold in one of the posts by Paris. Being a female and to add to that, a Chinese female, hahahahahaha, the name Liquid Gold appealed to me. 🙂
At last this review came out. Thanks Pb. I think i am going to give it a try.
Better late than never Tuti! 🙂 It took me a long time to work out if I liked it but the day I bought the full size, I knew it was a keeper 🙂 I hope it works for you if you try it!
Thanks for the review, PB. It was a toss between this and the REN one, and I bought the latter – and I haven’t even used it yet!
The AHA concentrate? I got a bottle of that recently too! 🙂 Am waiting to give it a go coz I’ve heard so many good things about that one
Been using Alpha H on alternate nights for over a year now and I did notice a difference pretty quickly. My skin tone is more even and I do think it helps keep pigmentation under control. Like you, I discovered it through A Model Recommends. I love that all I have to do is swipe it over my face and I’m ready for bed! After a month or two of using this, I started using Paula’s Choice Retinol serum on the other nights and this combination works very well for me. A few months later, I added in a Vitamin C serum on my retinol nights and during the day. I have to say – I’m very happy with the results and am sticking to this routine…until something better comes along, of course 😉
Thanks for sharing, Jane 🙂 Glad to know Liquid Gold works for you and like you, I love my Liquid Gold nights. It means I don’t have to fuss with my skincare! Yay! 😀 Thanks also for sharing your routine with retinol. I’ve just incorporated some retinol into my routine so it’ll be interesting to see how this will work for me. I hope it’ll be good 😉
Ahhh….I’ve heard so much about this little gem. Maybe it’s time I bit the bullet? 😉
Still very much a glycolic acid novice. I just started the REN Glycol Lactic mask and Chanel Le Weekend, not together on the same day (of course). So far, I’m loving the result. It has only been 4 weeks, but I’m slowly seeing the result. Slow, but steady.
Try to see if you can get the travel/starter kit, Sze Ling. It’s really the best way to figure out of it’ll work for you without busting your wallet! Is the Le Weekend a glycolic acid product too? I didn’t know 😛 I don’t quite get the whole Chanel series to be honest haha! 😉 But it’s good to know it works so well for you. Slow and steady is the way you want to go coz anything drastic can never be good for the skin!
The Chanel trios all have acids in them: Le Jour has salicylic, La Nuit with hyaluronic acid and Le Weekend is left with glycolic acid. It wasn’t specified how much glycolic acid is in there, but I suspect it’s not as much as the Liquid Gold. Just because you can use it back to back for 2 days. Le Weekend works pretty much like Liquid Gold, where you don’t use any other moisturizer/serum with it.
La Nuit basically saved my winter skin. All my dry patches are gone and the best part is, it’s not all greasy and heavy.
Ahh I see that’s interesting actually the composition of the products. You have succeeded in making me curious! I wonder if Chanel will let me have a sample or if they’ll snub me as they did the last time I went to their counter 😛
Ahh…that’s a tough one. Even here, I find that their customer service varies dramatically from SA to SA. And that’s at the exact same Chanel counter! But I guess that could be said for any other beauty brands too. Had the same experience at a Clarins counter here.
I tried Sze Ling but I was roundly ignored at the counter! Not one single SA made eye contact to say “Please hang on I’ll be with you in a minute”. I guess the RMB speaks louder than RM 😛
LOL. That actually happened to me before, back in PG. 😛
After I saw Liquid Gold briefly mentioned in one of your posts, I got curious and read up more. Apparently the review by the witty beauty guru, Caroline Hirons was promising too. I had initially added it to my shopping cart but removed it as I had already stocked up a few AHA skincare from REN under the Radiance range. The thought of having too many skincare with AHA and glycolic acid made me realized that it might not be a smart move. My skin used to be sensitive and today, I believe it still is but thankfully the REN Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask works fine for me. Despite that cool headed and rationale thought, I must say that this Liquid Gold occassionally will tug at my heartstring to give it a try. Glad that it has worked for you and I hope your good skin days continues that way 🙂
Oh yes, I remember Caroline Hirons highly recommends this and I do appreciate her tips and recommendations coz she has qualifications to back her up! (I on the other hand talk through my hat hehe) Ooh you got the REN AHA Concentrate? I just picked up a bottle of that too and plan to give it a go soon, once I get my skin under control. All this CNY feasting has played merry hell with it >.< But you're smart not to over do the glycolic acid or AHAs. Too much of a good thing is never a good thing 🙂 Maybe you could try the Liquid Gold once you've gone through your REN stuff?
Sigh, why do so many cult products have Alcohol as the second or 1st ingredient 🙁
Good question 🙁 I’m not sure of the composition of the REN AHA concentrate but that’s another option I will be trying soon. Friends have reported amazing results to me!
Oh really? Ok must go check that out!
Hi MyWomenStuff,
You are such a lovely inspiration to me. Because of your review sounds promising, i had recently bought & received the Alpha-H Liquid Gold Xmas set (200ml + 100ml + 50ML) at UK GBP35.50 after UK’s VAT off on Beauty Bay.
Me and my life partner had just tried it last night on its own according to the instruction. We both woke up both looking skintone has changed to much better, in a way our faces are more clearer/brightens/smoother/cleaner, we totally amazed what this poduct can do, will definitely getting some other Alpha-H serums and moisturizers to tr too.
We wrote this messgae to you is to thank you very much for your SUPERB review on such lovely cult-product and helped many readers.
Thanks.
Anthony
You are very sweet, Anthony, thank you so much and I’m so happy that Liquid Gold works for you too! I love it, and am never without a back up bottle! 😀
Hi There,
I ordered mine at Cult Beauty as well to Msia.. wondering how long will it take to be delivered any idea ? This is my first buying online so pretty excited and can’t wait to see my Liquid Gold 🙂 and thanks for the detailed review
Hi for Cult Beauty I usually get my packages in about 2-3 weeks. So far, so good! Hope you’ll get it soon and that it’ll work for you.
Hi Paris B.. i got my stuff just tried for the first time yesterday .. hoping for the best 🙂
hi! i just bought this from sephora nu sentral today and cant wait to try … dah beli then only come and check your review … lol
I hope you enjoy using it! Just remember to be careful the first few times ya 🙂